Youth partner organisations agree to strengthen co-operation

A working group comprising representatives from civil society partner organisations has been established to develop strategies to strengthen collaboration on youth development across the Commonwealth.

The six-person group is tasked with taking forward proposals for the Commonwealth Youth Programme to better engage with civil society organisations in the collective interests of promoting youth work. It includes representatives working on education, disability, leadership, the environment, sport, and culture.

They will also look at how to improve communications with the Commonwealth Secretariat ahead of the Commonwealth Youth Forum, which takes place in Australia in October.

Henry Charles, Interim Director of Youth Affairs at the Secretariat, told delegates at a meeting at Marlborough House in London on Monday, 18 July 2011 that ministers had called for stronger partnerships with civil society organisations who share the same purpose and values.

“Through the Youth Stakeholder Meetings, we have established a co-ordinating mechanism to allow organisations to work together at strategic times, to harness synergies, share resources, and boost capacity. There is no need to duplicate efforts,” Mr Charles said.

“A joined-up approach is needed if the dreams and aspirations of young people are to be met.”

July’s Youth Stakeholder Meeting was attended by around 25 Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth partner organisations. It provided a platform for organisations ranging from the Commonwealth Games Federation to the Duke of Edinburgh Award International Association and Leonard Cheshire Disability to share ideas and planning on key youth events.

Delegates were updated on progress with regard to the restructuring of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, and preparations for October’s Commonwealth Youth Forum and the 2012 Youth Ministers Meeting.

At the meeting, they were also introduced to Commonwealth Connects, the online portal which will be launched in October at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia. Commonwealth Connects is geared towards facilitating better interaction amongst partner organisations on thematic areas.

The youth stakeholder group will meet again in September.