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Posted: Aug. 06 2006,05:12 by David from INTERNATIONAL - Fundacion Cultura de Paz
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1. a) If funds were available, what youth activities related to a CoP would your organization like to do?
Youth for a Sustainable Future Pacifika (YSFP) works with and for young
people in the Pacific to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and
other international and regional development priorities. YSFP is
entirely run by young people for young people. If funds were available,
YSFP will expand its current peer-mentoring and youth-led development
programs in the areas of gender equality, youth participation in
democracy and respect for human rights. Whilst we do not currently have
expertise or experience in peace-building initiatives, in light of the
recent ethnic tensions in Solomon Islands, YSFP would like to develop
its programs in this area.
b) What non-financial support does your organization need to do these activities?
YSFP
is not registered as a NGO. Due to YSFP being run by a group of young
volunteers across 20 Pacific island nations, YSFP's programs have been
one-off. Technical expertise in mentoring existing members of YSFP and
providing assistance for YSFP to obtain NGO registration will be
beneficial for YSFP to access external funding.
2. a) What changes in youth policies do you think the government/leadership in your country should make to promote a CoP?
First of all, not all Pacific island countries have a youth policy.
Frequent changes in government and staff movements impact on the
development of a national youth policy in most Pacific countries and
many NGOs are frustrated by the government's lack of response and
responsibility to advocate on young people's issues. Ultimately, YSFP
would like to see more young people being voted into parliament as
approximately 50% of the population in the Pacific are young people
under the age of 25. Having a youth voice in parliament will ensure
that young people's rights and issues of peace and governance remains
on the government agenda.
b) What CoP youth activities/initiatives do you think the UN should do?
Please
no more declarations and statements! Young people in the Pacific want
real projects that have real outcomes. Youth leadership training and
peer-to-peer education programs are most effective in the Pacific.
Young people are also receptive to radio, television and print mediums.
Is there a chance for the UN to provide seed funding for activities and
projects planned, implemented and evaluated by young people?
OPTIONAL QUESTIONS
3.
Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for improving youth
participation in CoP activities on any levels (UN, government, civil
society)?
The feedback we have received from Pacific youth
delegates attending international youth conferences is that they are
forced to speak and write like adults. What we really need is a
dialogue between UN, governments, NGOs, community and young people. Let
the young people chair the meeting for a change and let them speak in
the way that they feel comfortable. Government and UN agencies have a
tendency to involve young people who have a dominant voice and forget
about other young people who have equal potential. This results in the
same young people being represented at international conferences and
forums (we call them conference hoppers) but why not involve the
unusual suspects?
4. What could be done to improve/ensure transparency and flow of information in promoting the CoP?
Engage young people in planning & promoting the CoP.
5. To ensure the best possible benefit of a UN Voluntary Fund for youth and CoP, how should it be managed/administered?
It should be managed by a board of youth reps across all continents including young people from small island developing states.
6. How can youth not yet involved in CoP activities be reached and motivated?
Via radio, television and print media. Oral communication is very effective in the Pacific.
7. My response to this questionnaire is my personal opinion ? organisation's opinion ?
Name of organization: Youth for a Sustainable Future Pacifika
Address: On-line (www.pacifikayouth.org)
Contact Person: Kate Morioka
E-mail: morioka_k@hotmail.com
Telephone and fax: +61 7 3885 2604
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