Westminster PhD student recently selected to be a Youth Democracy Cohort fellow on European Union project

The Young Researchers’ Network initiative brings together a diverse group of international young scholars and democracy support practitioners to foster cross-regional and cross-disciplinary exchanges on the topic of youth participation in democracies across the world. 

Dechen is one of the twelve fellows chosen from more than 150 applicants after a multi-stage worldwide selection process by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) to be part of a Young Researchers’ Network initiative in the framework of the European Democracy Hub with the support of EPD’s Women and Youth in Democracy (WYDE) programme, supported by the European Union.

Dechen, who is from Bhutan, works with his mentor Professor Nitasha Kaul for his PhD on foreign policymaking in the Himalayas. He has previously been a Chevening scholarship awardee and completed a  MSc in International Relations.

Professor Kaul emphasised how significant Dechen's achievement is: “From his roots in rural Mongar province of Bhutan to our community at Westminster, Dechen's journey is a shining example of how inspiring and fulfilling education can be in making a contribution to society.” 

Speaking about his selection to this prestigious EU programme, Dechen said: "The fellowship opens another exciting opportunity for me to understand the world better and build friendships with bright young minds. My engagement in the project and interactions with the fellows for the next two years and beyond would help nurture a cosmopolitan worldview.” 

Find out more about Politics and International Relations courses at Westminster.