Young researchers are attending the 2nd interregional symposium on Substantive Democracy, Governance of Life and Sustainability in Indian Ocean Islands at the Radisson Blu yesterday and today. They are discussing and sharing experiences with public decision-makers, representatives of cooperation institutions, field actors and civil society members around democratic and environmental issues specific to the region. The symposium aims to provide a space for reflection and experience-sharing to strengthen multi-stakeholder dialogue among researchers, public decision-makers, representatives of cooperation institutions, field actors and civil society organizations around these issues. "This symposium is intended as a space for reflection, perspective-setting and experience-sharing to strengthen interactions between researchers, decision-makers and leaders of civil society organizations," declared Dr Randianina Radilofe, coordinator of the Indian Ocean Laboratory, Foundation for Innovation in Democracy, at the opening of the symposium yesterday. This event, organized by the Foundation for Innovation in Democracy through its Indian Ocean Laboratory, continues the first edition held in March 2025. Its theme is "Substantive Democracy, Governance of Life and Sustainability in Indian Ocean Islands."