Commonwealth Youth Affairs Ministers seek solutions to youth problems

The seventh commonwealth youth ministers conference was held in Colombo from April 27-30. Ministers from 22 countries participated.

The discussion focused mainly on the problem of youth unemployment, prevalent in most countries, the mismatch between available employment opportunities and men with suitable skills and experience.

The common features being the absence of perseverance and original thinking, reluctance to promote and use local and cheap resources and deviations from traditional religious moral codes. The logical result is often addiction to drugs and alcohol.

The ministers stressed the importance of directing youth resources based on the application of respected traditional, religious, moral codes, cultural heritage and arts, crafts appropriate technology.

These phenomena are common in all countries which have emerged from the colonial phase.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that we already possess the youthful talents and skills and the need is to implement policies to achieve our goals of development.

The President said that he was focusing special attention on the vital aspects.

The Director of the Asia Pacific Region of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Association, Ms. Sue Walker delivering a special address emphasized the need to formulate strategies to muster youth talent and skills for increased productivity. Currently youth talent is wasted by the absence of co-ordination and conscious direction.

All participants applauded the policies and strategies outlined by Ms. Sue Walker.

In Sri Lanka the program operates under the National Award Authority by the Youth Affairs Ministry with the participation of government and non government organisations involved in youth activity viz, schools, Scout Movement, St. John's Ambulance Brigade and organisations handling the disabled, orphans and CCF-Sri Lanka.