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Youth of the Commonwealth speak out against conflict

22 April 2008

CYP place great emphasis on the participation of young people in our decision making and governance

“Governments do not listen to young people which is why youths are bitter and angry”. This was the view expressed by Lilian Itenya from Kenya who took part in a CYP-led online discussion soliciting the views of young Commonwealth citizens on youth and peace-building.

Over 20 young women and men participated in an online discussion lasting over four weeks to air their views about the causes of conflict, how young people can become agents of peace and issues they would like Commonwealth Ministers of Youth to consider as they meet in a few days time for their meeting in Sri Lanka.

Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting

The Seventh Meeting of Commonwealth Youth Ministers (7CYMM) will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 27 – 30 April 2008, under the theme of “Youth and Peace-Building”.

Today even the most stable Commonwealth countries are grappling with issues of social breakdown and violence. Peace-building has therefore become a vital part of nation-building and successful multiculturalism.

CYMM will serve as a platform for sharing ideas and best practices from countries like Sri Lanka and Uganda and most recently Kenya which have experienced conflict.

CYP place great emphasis on the participation of young people in our decision making and governance which explains the reason why we have sought the views of young people on the CYMM theme.

The outcome of the discussion shows that there are many causes of conflict. Some of the reasons cited were that youth are idle, poor, hopeless, ignored, used for political ends and have absolutely nothing to lose.

On possible solutions, it was deemed that there is need to “recognise them (young people), empower and educate them, provide for them basic services, employ them and give them conducive environment to be self-employed and they will have so much to lose”.

In her message to the Youth Ministers, Louisa Rautta from Kenya says “My message to the ministers is simple, as harsh as it may sound: ignore youth at your own peril. Whatever they discuss and its outcome they should forge for the idea of investing in youth like never before without discrimination of gender, race/tribe/ethnic group/culture, religion, disability, etc. They should be committed and help in breaking all barriers hindering youth development because at the end of the day it costs less and will in turn see the development of a country since in almost all countries, youth are the majority and are the source of human resource”.

It is hoped that the results of the discussions will feed into the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting.

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Discussion OutcomesDiscussion Outcomes

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