Bénédicte Koffi: “We Are Partners for Today, Not Just Leaders of Tomorrow”
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Meet Bénédicte Koffi, member of the WYDE Political Parties Youth Advisory Board
For Bénédicte Koffi, from Côte d’Ivoire, political participation begins with understanding how decisions are made and recognising that everyone has a role in shaping society. As a member of the WYDE Political Parties Youth Advisory Board, she shares her commitment to civic education, meaningful youth representation and rebuilding trust between young people and political institutions.
From civic engagement to political participation
For Bénédicte Koffi, politics is not simply about holding public office. It is about empowering people to understand the decisions that affect their lives and giving them the confidence and opportunities to participate in shaping their communities.
Her engagement grew from her work with young people and her longstanding interest in democracy, freedom and civic education.
Through this experience, she recognised a recurring challenge: many young people have ideas, ambitions and a genuine desire to contribute, but lack the knowledge, confidence or opportunities to become involved in public life.
“I decided to get involved in politics because I believe that meaningful change requires people to understand how public decisions are made and to actively participate in shaping their communities and societies,”
This conviction continues to guide her professional and civic engagement.
As Head of Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Côte d’Ivoire, Bénédicte coordinates programmes focused on civic participation, human rights, governance, political leadership and entrepreneurship. Her work also places particular emphasis on strengthening the capacities of young people and women to participate in political and public life.
Rebuilding trust in politics
Young people care deeply about their future and the direction of their countries. Yet, as Bénédicte observes, many continue to see politics as a closed and polarised space, disconnected from their everyday realities.
For her, one of the greatest barriers to youth political engagement is the combination of declining trust and limited opportunities for civic and political education.
She believes that governments and political parties need to invest more in helping young people understand political processes, their rights and the opportunities available to influence public decisions.
But education alone is not enough. Rebuilding trust also requires opening political spaces where young people can contribute meaningfully rather than being invited to participate merely as a symbolic gesture.
“Rebuilding trust means creating meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute, lead, and influence public policies.”
Creating spaces where young voices matter
Bénédicte questions whether political parties genuinely represent the interests and aspirations of younger generations.
While many parties have established youth wings, she argues that these structures do not always translate into real influence over political decisions.
Too often, young people are included to demonstrate diversity rather than to contribute to policy development or institutional priorities.
For Bénédicte, meaningful representation requires a fundamental change in how political parties engage with younger generations.
“Political parties often speak about young people rather than with them,”
She believes that young people should be recognised for their ideas, abilities and contributions, rather than simply their age or political loyalty.
Representation, in her view, is not about how many young people occupy a seat at the table, but whether their voices can genuinely influence what happens around it.
Partners in shaping today’s decisions
When asked what message she would share with political leaders, Bénédicte places trust and responsibility at the centre of her response.
She calls for institutions that value merit, innovation and dialogue, and for political leaders to invest in the next generation by giving them real opportunities to participate in decision-making.
Her message challenges a familiar narrative about youth leadership:
“We are not only the leaders of tomorrow. We are partners for today.”
For Bénédicte, young people should not have to wait for their turn to shape the future. Their perspectives, experiences and ideas are already essential to addressing today’s challenges.
Reasons to believe in democracy
Despite the barriers, Bénédicte remains optimistic about the future of democratic participation.
She finds hope in the growing number of young people across Africa and beyond who are creating civic initiatives, leading social enterprises, defending human rights and using technology to promote accountability.
She is particularly encouraged by those choosing to engage with political parties and civil society organisations, rather than allowing political differences to discourage their participation.
Her own involvement as a Young Peace Champion reflects this commitment to education, youth engagement and peacebuilding.
For Bénédicte, democracy is not a finished system but an evolving process, shaped by the people who continue to believe in their ability to make a difference.
And as long as young people remain willing to engage, question and contribute, there is reason to look towards the future with hope.
About Bénédicte Koffi
Bénédicte Koffi is an Ivorian professional and member of the WYDE Political Parties Youth Advisory Board. She serves as Head of Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Côte d’Ivoire, coordinating programmes on civic participation, human rights, governance, political leadership and entrepreneurship.
She holds a Master’s degree in International Business Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. Her background includes training in leadership, sustainable development, coalition building and strategic partnerships.
As a Young Peace Champion, she is also engaged in initiatives promoting youth empowerment, education and peacebuilding, with a particular focus on strengthening the participation of young people and women in public life.
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