Message on International Youth Day 2007

Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on margins the society, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies. This is what we are committed to and deliver through our decentralized Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) across the Commonwealth.

International Youth Day is in itself a very young phenomenon. The idea to devote an International Day for Youth was proposed by young people at the first session of the World Youth Forum, Vienna, Austria, 1991. It provides the world with an opportunity to recognize the potential of youth, to celebrate their achievements and devise ways for youth positive engagement in development frameworks, democratic and peace dialogue and overall good governance.

On the eve of the 2007 International Youth Day, with this year’s theme: ‘’Be Seen, Be Heard: Youth Participation for Development’’, it is important to look at the current state of young people in the world.

At present a growing crisis of youth unemployment resonates globally. Figures from the ILO indicates that of the world’s estimated 191 million unemployed people nearly 50% fall in the age of 15-24 year olds. Across the Commonwealth poverty has increasingly become an issue associated primarily with young people. Industrialised and developing countries fall short in increasing employment opportunities for young people and, as a result, we are facing an economic and social challenge. If we are to adequately and effectively tackle issues of poverty alleviation, access to education and health, amongst other issues highlighted in the Millennium Development Goals then provision needs to be made for young people to attain sustainable livelihoods.

A major focus of the Day should ideally be on practical action to further encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the processes and decisions that affect their lives. The media have especially important role to play in support of the observance of the Day to promote public awareness of youth development issues and concerns as a strategy to mainstreaming youth development work in pubic spheres

We ,at CYP through our four Regional Centres are commemorating the day in a number of exciting ways. Our Africa Centre will be supporting the Copper Belt Youth Forum in Zambia, the Asia centre CYP will mark the occasion by organising an inter-collegiate debate competition, blood donation camp the Caribbean centre will host a special programme through their YOUTH VIBES RADIO and a variety of programme will be organised in Pacific region. The Pan Commonwealth Office, PCO will organise a major conference in September to address sustainable livelihoods issues.

We at CYP through our four Regional Centres are commemorating the day in a number of exciting ways. Our Africa Centre will be supporting the Copper Belt Youth Forum, Asia Centre will mark the occasion by organising an inter-collegiate debate competition and blood donation camp, the Caribbean Centre will host a special programme through their YOUTH VIBES RADIO and a variety of programmes will be organised in the Pacific region.

CYP will continue to be at the forefront in lobbying for youth mainstreaming; integrating youth meaningful engagement into the world of all relevant stakeholders thus pushing for governments to set up appropriate mechanisms for increasing youth participation in policy making.

To all youth across the commonwealth, please celebrate your potential by marking this day in your innovative and creative way. We at CYP are with and for you.

Dr Fatiha Serour

Director and Head of Youth Affairs

Commonwealth Youth Programme

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Message on International Youth Day from Dr Fatiha Serour, Director and Head of Youth Affairs, Commonwealth Youth Programme