A political academy, organized by KIC in collaboration with the youth wing of the PUSC party, took place in Costa Rica on 13–14 September 2025. The purpose of the academy was to strengthen the capacities of young political leaders, facilitate their participation in the party, and empower them to become key actors in upcoming political developments. Practical workshops were combined with debates and strategic exercises, using methods such as artificial intelligence and design thinking.
“The goal was to equip the young participants with essential skills to meet the challenges facing democracy in the twenty-first century and to reinforce their role as agents of change,” says Cayetana Muriel, Program Manager for Latin America.
The aim is to provide young people with a platform to build networks with like-minded leaders, develop strategies for change, and produce concrete proposals for the country’s future. During the academy, participants analyzed societal challenges and identified solutions, developed election campaigns, and designed communication strategies.
The academy hosted several prominent figures, including presidential candidate Juan Carlos Hidalgo (PUSC), Member of Parliament and First Vice President of the Legislative Assembly Vanessa Castro Mora, the youth wing’s president Óscar Espinal, and Marcus Sjöblom from KDU Sweden, who emphasized the importance of young politicians understanding and carrying Christian Democratic values into their work.
This is the second consecutive year that KIC has collaborated with the party’s youth wing in Costa Rica.
“This strengthens the relationship, the trust, and our shared efforts to build democracy through the younger generation,” says Cayetana Muriel.