Youth and Democracy in the Americas is (Y&D) is a student-run student-led organization that serves first, as a platform for civic engagement and professional development of the youth in the Western Hemisphere, and second, as a network of like-minded student leaders facing challenges in their respective societies. “Y&D aims to empower the youth’s civic involvement in the region to strengthen their democracies by providing them tools and knowledge through educational events and professional activities such as forums, debates, roundtables, seminars, workshops, conferences, and numerous events with scholars, diplomats, youth leaders and activists.”