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Remarks at the Commonwealth Youth Forum

Date: 17 Nov 2005
Speaker: Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha
Location: Malta

Honourable Prime Minister
Hon. Minister of Education, Youth and Employment
Honourable Ministers
Dr Kumi Naidoo, Secretary -General of  CIVICUS
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to be with you this evening on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Forum 5. The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) has become one of the most important events related to CHOGMs since Edinburgh in 1997. 

Let me therefore take this opportunity to warmly welcome you all to Malta. The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth is unable to be here due to prior official engagements in London. He has, however, assured me that he will be with you for the closing ceremony on 23 November to receive your communiqué.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of Malta for agreeing to host this meeting and for the excellent arrangements, and facilities that have been placed at our disposal as well as the warm welcome since our arrival.

We, in the Commonwealth Secretariat, recognise that more than fifty percent of the total population in our member states is below the age of 30. Thus, the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) has become one of the cornerstones, in the delivery of programmes in the Commonwealth.

As you will all recall, the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) was launched in 1997 by Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland. Since then, the Programme has evolved into a central platform for young people from across the Commonwealth to mobilise for effective participation, in all aspects of development, democracy and governance processes.

This, in turn, has facilitated their engagement and networking at national, regional, international and indeed, CHOGM levels. 

Beginning with Edinburgh-Scotland, Durban-South Africa, Gold Coast-Australia and Abuja-Nigeria, I have noted, with satisfaction, the deepening commitment to youth participation and inclusion in the Commonwealth, since the Youth Forum series commenced.  It is, therefore, imperative that we keep this momentum, as a way of exposing the youth to the challenges and opportunities open to them.

In this regard, let me recall some of the gains of the earlier Commonwealth Youth Forums:

• They have provided a platform for young people to contribute to Commonwealth and CHOGM agendas and to make their views known in an environment of dignity and respect.
• The meetings have also provided young people, with a comprehensive and holistic appreciation of the Commonwealth. A living knowledge, afforded by the opportunity to enter into the spirit and action of consensus-building.
• Youth Forums, have also, demonstrated the success of partnership, and networking between young people, governments, and the civil society. This has resulted in close collaboration between Governments, the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and other stakeholders. Youth development issues are very diverse and all-encompassing for any agency or government to successfully tackle alone.

I am therefore confident that the Malta version will also be a resounding success in achieving the stated objectives of networking the youth for development and also in assisting young people in acquiring skills and tools to implement strategies to:

• Advocate for human rights;
•  Promote active citizenship;
• Boost capacity building; and
• Improve education and skills development.

Our expectation is that at the end of this Commonwealth Youth Forum, we would have firmly put the needs of young Commonwealth citizens, on the Commonwealth Agenda for Democracy and Development.

I thank you for your attention.

 

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