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We are a youth development agency with a single focus on youth in a systematic and decentralised youth governance structure conducted through our four Regional Centres which are located in Zambia, Guyana, Chandigarh and Honiara. We have forged cultural, geographical and historical ties with young people, governments, National Youth Councils, Youth Commissions and civil society organisations.
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#CYF2011 Youth forum ends with call for development fund
‘We are the dynamic drivers of progressive change in the Commonwealth’ says Chair of CYF Planning Group, Alan Huynh
Commonwealth youth leaders have called for the establishment of a youth development fund to implement core recommendations from the Youth Forum which ended in the West Australian city of Fremantle on 27 October 2011.
The proposed fund would enable young people to take action on key issues including on governance, human rights, health, youth enterprise and environmental sustainability.
Among the 16 recommendations drawn up during the four-day Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) is also a request to governments to support the drafting of governance guidelines for national youth structures within a year.
“The Commonwealth of Nations has a responsibility to develop youth as one of its most valuable assets in the best interest of the Commonwealth and to ensure our future prosperity,” said the youth delegates in a statement released in Fremantle today.
“In order for the Commonwealth to be relevant and accountable to the needs of its 1.2 billion youth, it is critical that youth directly participate in all levels of decision making and budget allocation, not only in policy and programme design, but also in implementation and evaluation,” they said.
Around 130 young people representing a cross section of Commonwealth countries met in the days leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which begins in Perth tomorrow, from 28 to 30 October.
Core recommendations which emerged from the youth meeting include a charter on good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights to which member countries must be signatories.
Echoing the wider Commonwealth debate, the youth communiqué states that: “An independent body without any political affiliation and one which includes youth representation must ensure compliance of member states in upholding these principles.”
On health, the statement called for peer education programmes on healthy sexual practices and the strengthening of access to services for victims of violence.
They also called for governments and civil society to commit to a time frame providing minimum access to ICT and to engage young people in decision-making processes on environmental issues.
In her speech to mark the end of the CYF, Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, who oversees youth affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said: “We consider and take your inputs very seriously as a way forward. The Commonwealth stands ready to work with and support you.”
Addressing delegates, Alan Huynh, Chair of the CYF Planning Group, thanked delegates, saying: “We are the dynamic drivers of progressive change in the Commonwealth.”
On Sunday, the final day of CHOGM, on 30 October, ten delegates will meet with leaders for a dialogue to present their recommendations.
Speech by Pan Commonwealth Youth Chair, Ms Noelyn Wagapu from the Solomon Islands @ #CYF2011
#CYF2011 Youth forum opens in Australian city of Fremantle
‘We wish our youth to be a wellspring of optimism for all of us’ – Commonwealth Secretary-General
The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) was opened by Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a spirited ceremony in the West Australian city of Fremantle on Monday, 24 October 2011.
Some 300 dignitaries, delegates and guests - including pupils from local schools - were welcomed with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony, an indigenous dance and choir performance. In her address, Ms Gillard urged young people: “Let your voice be heard and be informed by the values we hold dear as a Commonwealth. Those defining values of fairness, democracy, equality and opportunity for all. “We call these Commonwealth values. But in truth, they are human values. Values that draw from us dreams of a better future, that draw us together in idealism. “To believe in the possibility of a better world and give of your own energies and efforts to make it possible.” She added: “Be idealists, speak with passion and commitment because you represent the future and the success or failure of that future depends on you.” Speaking at the event, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma expressed his delight that the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was being held in Australia, with the CYF being the first official event of the week-long programme. The Secretary-General said he was looking forward to what is going to be achieved at the forum: “We wish our youth to be a wellspring of optimism for all of us, and the energy of young people should be better used,” he said. At the opening ceremony, the Australian Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Peter Garrett, praised the Commonwealth for its commitment and willingness to work with young people. Of CYF, he said: “It’s a unique occasion and a big opportunity for the voice of Commonwealth youth to be heard with the hope - in fact the necessity - that the words here are matched by action.” On the agenda is youth participation in decision-making; peace building and conflict management; environmental sustainability; health; and sustainable livelihoods and the economy.
#CYF2011: Putting youth at the centre of decision making
Youth representatives from all over the Commonwealth countries of the world, including the Pacific region, are packing their bags for Perth, Western Australia in preparation for this month’s Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF8), which will be held from 23 to 27 October 2011.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum takes place every two years just prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It reflects the spirit of the Commonwealth and highlights the Commonwealth’s commitment to the principles of democracy and diversity and to young people.
CYF provides an opportunity for Commonwealth youth leaders to identify their priorities for the next two years, share experiences and develop skills. It also provides a unique forum for youth delegates to contribute to the Commonwealth policy agenda.
“Young people do not present problems, they present solutions. It is of utmost importance that we listen to the views and ideas of young people, and include them in our policies and decision making”, said Ms Afu Billy, Regional Director for Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Pacific Centre.
The Forum will be attended by up to 130 Australian and international delegates to develop understanding of the Commonwealth and to create a platform for young people to contribute to the Commonwealth.
CYP Pacific Centre will directly contribute through its research into a ‘Pacific framework for youth participation in decision making’ as well as leading a strategic thinking session to build skills for young Commonwealth leaders.
The meeting comes at a time of change for the Commonwealth, including the restructuring of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the report of the Eminent Persons Group, which will deliver key recommendations affecting Commonwealth youth.
“CYP is delivering a new Commonwealth youth structure, for a new generation, so we are at a very exciting time,” said Ms Billy.
“CYP’s work is in keeping with international trends towards strengthening youth structures to enable young people to participate in solutions to today’s global challenges,” said Ms Billy.
CYF delegates will produce a communiqué which will be circulated at CHOGM and presented to the Commonwealth Secretariat. A select few will also be afforded the opportunity to meet with Heads of Governments as part of the Youth Dialogue with World Leaders, giving young people a chance to have their opinions heard by the leaders of Commonwealth countries.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum is organised by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in association with the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) is an international development agency that works to give young people aged 15 - 29 the skills, confidence and means to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. CYP works in partnership with young people, governments, NGOs and other key youth stakeholders
“DAY 1: Of the #cyf2011 Commonwealth Youth Forum 8 Kicks off today with 130 delegates flooding into Fremantle, Perth. Delegates have gained an understanding of the Commonwealth and it’s structures and an appreciation of how the Commonwealth works with young people.”
Noelyn Wagapu, Pan-Commonwealth Youth Caucus Chairperson
Delegates put down their thoughts on what the world might be like in 20yrs time at CYF.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum 2011 starts in little over a week
The Planning Group members are beginning to descend upon Perth for the pre-planning meeting, very exciting
When: Tuesday, May 24 at 9:00am - May 26 at 4:30pm
Where: Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre
Lady Young Road
St. Ann’s
The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) in partnership with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs will host the conference with a view to bring relevant stakeholders together to discuss regional trends and challenges in youth employment, with a focus on entrepreneurship/enterprise development.
The Conference will focus on the four agree priorities in relation to young people and employment, namely:
- Employment Creation. Placing employment creation at the centre of macroeconomic policy.
- Employability. The educational and vocational training needs of young people and improving the impact of those investments.
- Entrepreneurship. Making it easier to start and run enterprises.
- Equal Opportunity. Ensuring young women and at-risk or vulnerable youth have the same opportunities.
The main outputs of the conference will include:
- Draft Caribbean Action Map on Youth Employment / Youth Enterprise Development Plan
- Draft framework for a Caribbean Young Entrepreneurs Network
Pacific Declaration on “INVESTING IN YOUTH EMPLOYMENT”
Port Vila, 30th March 2011
Youth employment is a key element for Pacific economies. Decent Work is the best strategy
to end poverty and to let people participate in society. In recognition of the International Year of the Youth 2010-2011 and based on the Commonwealth Conference on “Investing in Youth Employment” which took place in Port Vila, Vanuatu from 28 March to 30 March 2011.
