Keynote address calls for young people’s voices to be heard

Commonwealth youth ministers have the power to ensure the voices of young people are heard in policy choices, budgeting and the building of peace.

In her keynote address, Pregs Govender, a high profile former trade unionist and politician from South Africa, told delegates at the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting on 28 April 2008 that she believed and hoped they would use that power towards building a peaceful society and world.

Ms Govender was addressing ministers and senior officials on the first day of the three-day meeting which is focusing on the theme of peace-building, drawn from the findings of the Commonwealth's Commission on Respect and Understanding.

She pointed out that the topic for the meeting was "hugely significant in its timing" because young people were facing similar challenges in every country and continent: unemployment, poverty, HIV/AIDS, increased militarisation and violence, and issues of economic and religious fundamentalism.

"The consequences across our world are huge," Ms Govender said.

The Commonwealth has committed to many wonderful things, she added. "These are powerful commitments that, if implemented would result in huge change."

But she warned that their realisation is often impeded. "There is a contradiction between what we commit to, while at the same time, other policies in other areas undermine this commitment."

Citing commitments to eradicate, limit and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, Ms Govender stated the rights that poor countries had gained in accessing affordable treatment in the 2001 Doha Round of negotiations, had been written out of many bilateral trade agreements.

"There are many contradictions. Unless those contradictions in policy are addressed ... unless we decide to dedicate more money to peace-building than military spending, we will not be able to build a lasting peace. Whatever budget measures are taken in one country, will reverberate elsewhere," she said, citing Martin Luther King's statement: "Injustice anywhere affects justice everywhere."

Ms Govender urged ministers to create the space so that the voices of young people could be heard. "I hope that you will use the power you have, with wisdom and clarity," she told them.