This was a historic year for global politics, marking the largest election year in human history. Half of the world’s population – around 3.7 billion people – had the chance to vote in 72 countries, across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

These elections unfolded against the backdrop of significant global changes: Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, escalating climate crises and the rise of populist movements.

Harbingers’ Magazine writers were at the forefront, covering pivotal events from the US elections to the war in Ukraine, often from the heart of the action.

As Harbingers’ Editor-in-Chief and a former Politics Section Editor, I’ve curated a list of five standout articles from the International Affairs and Politics sections. Presented in chronological order, these pieces capture the key themes that defined our coverage in 2024.

In March, ahead of the UK general election in July, I interviewed Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, about youth-centric issues. He shared how Lib Dems plan to champion causes that are particularly significant to young people, including improving healthcare services, addressing the cost of living crisis, combating climate change, and advocating for meaningful political reform to ensure equal voting rights for all.

In July, Harbingers’ Magazine launched a pop-up newsroom at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, focused on covering the NATO Summit and the upcoming US elections. The initiative was part of Harbingers’ summer programmes designed to hone students’ journalistic skills. Alia Saphier, one of Harbingers’ talented writers, authored a compelling piece outlining the expectations for the NATO Summit, its potential outcomes and the broader significance of this vital alliance.

The same month, Harbingers’ brilliant writer Klaudia Bacza published a poignant and eye-opening article on how Ukrainian teens are coping after two and a half years of war. Her piece stemmed from a courageous reporting trip to war-torn Ukraine, where she spent a week in Lviv, a city that had endured multiple attacks. In her article, Klaudia not only captured the resilience of the youth but also reflected on her own experience of living under constant air raid alarms – unsettling for her, but a grim normality for the locals.

In November, 16-year-old Harbingers’ contributor Klara Hammudeh embarked on a reporting trip to the United States to cover the presidential race through a compelling multimedia series. In this article and video, following Donald Trump’s election as the 47th US president, Klara explored how the results reshaped the nation’s checks and balances, delivering insightful analysis and accessible explanations for a global audience.

Harbingers’ Magazine Nepali Newsroom, launched by me in 2023, faced a financial challenge in mid-November. I started a fundraising campaign for a car and supplies for the Mountain Children’s Home in Dandaguan, Kathmandu, where ten students aged 11–17 are enrolled in journalism classes and contribute to our magazine. The goal of the fundraiser is to ensure the children’s safe transportation and provide them with food and drink.

This year has been remarkable for Harbingers’ Magazine, with its talented young journalists passionately covering pressing global issues and showcasing the power of youth in shaping narratives. As we look ahead to 2025, I hope young people everywhere will continue to engage with the world around them, making meaningful contributions to politics and society while inspiring generations to come.