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• Youth Across Asia: A New Initiative

Youth Across Asia: A New Initiative

13 May 2004

A new initiative to transfer skills and capabilities among young people through volunteering has been launched by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). The 'Youth Across Asia' initiative was launched at the Commonwealth Asia Regional Youth Caucus (RYC) meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 30 April to 2 May 2004.

 The initiative is envisioned as a partnership of Commonwealth governments, National Youth Councils, the CYP Asia Centre and young Asians, bound together by a common vision and a commitment to sharing expertise and experience.  

The RYC is made up of national youth representatives nominated by respective Commonwealth governments in the Asia region, namely Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore and Sri Lanka. RYC members meet once a year to report back to their colleagues and the CYP Asia Centre on their work programmes.

 The Caucus also agreed on a number of specific projects, as part of its 2005 action plan. These include a youth dialogue to promote interracial tolerance and understanding (Malaysia), a youth forum for leadership training and volunteerism (Singapore), a seminar on the value of education (Brunei Darussalam), formation of youth clubs and self help groups (India), strategic planning workshops for youth non-governmental organisations (Maldives) and the production of documentaries on youth-related issues (Bangladesh).

 The meeting reviewed the activities of the seven RYC members in their respective countries, and highlighted the successes they have had and the challenges encountered. The forum was organised by CYP Asia Centre in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

 Senior officials from Ministries of Youth and National Youth Councils also attended the meeting. Participants discussed youth-related activities and how best the RYC, Ministries of Youth and the CYP Asia Centre can manage these activities as a team.

 Commenting on the regional meeting, Shirani Rajapakse, Senior Programme Officer, CYP Asia Centre, said, "In bringing the RYC together with senior ministry officials, we hope to create a better working relationship between young people and senior officials. Presenting the work plans to senior officials also makes the RYC's activities more transparent, making the RYC accountable to the young people they represent, to the CYP Asia Centre and to member governments.