About

We believe that if you're old enough to vote, you're old enough to run for office!

What?

This is an open campaign that anyone can join to support young people's right to run for office. We seek to:

Raise awareness on the state of youth rights running for elected office around the world

Advocate for the rights of young people running for elected office

Inspire young people everywhere to run for elected office

Why?

Today’s generation of young people is the largest the world has ever known. Half of the global population is under 30, and yet 73% of countries restrict young people from running for office, even though they can vote.

Around the world, campaigns are underway to promote the rights of young people running for public office by seeking to lower the legal age of candidacy, and bring it into line with the age at which you can vote.

We believe that young people deserve the same rights to run for office and that age discrimination is a hindrance to full participation and democracy.

In Nigeria, the #NotTooYoungtoRun campaign has embarked on a mission to address age discrimination in candidacy for the legislative and executive branches, and serves as inspiration for the global campaign.

How?

Inspired by the Nigerian example, the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth has initiated this global campaign in partnership with UNDP, OHCHR, the IPU, YIAGA and the European Youth Forum in order to convene existing efforts into a global movement and provide young people with a central platform through which to advocate.

Partners

Not Too Young To Run is being spearheaded by the following partners: