Energy, knowledge and connectivity of youth should be harnessed - Director, Commonwealth Youth

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Commonwealth Youth Forum created a stage for constructive criticism and peaceful dialogue and the challenge youth face. Talking about the aims and plans of youth in the Commonwealth , Katherine Ellis, Director of youth Affairs of the Commonwealth Secretariat said that the world needed to harness the energy, knowledge and connectivity that youth have to make a change. Ellis said "Sri Lanka is one of the Commonwealth countries that has made valid investment on young people."

Excerpts of the interview

Q : What is the Commonwealth Youth Program? On what basis did it start?

A : The Commonwealth Youth Program was set up 40 years ago. It was a time when young people wanted voice. They then became activists. As the Governments of the Commonwealth and in particular the Secretary General at that time realised that it was important for the Commonwealth to take some action to develop young people , the Commonwealth Youth Program was born. The program at that time was youth -worker education training.

We are focusing on this aspect. Earlier the Commonwealth gave training to youth workers and as the program evolved we now disseminate services through partnerships with Universities and similar institutes for higher education. Now it is more of a professionalisation of the youth worker. We are helping the Governments to set up national youth worker associations, code of conduct for youth workers, advocate governments ensuring that youth workers are qualified. This is one area and other areas have evolved over time.

Q : Does your organisation work only with Government institutes? How does this work?

A : We work with a variety of organisations. We work closely with Governments and Youth Ministries to provide technical assistance, advocacy around policy development because it is our aim to ensure that each Government should have a quality youth policy and employment policies which should be implemented. We encourage Governments to invest more on youth and see that Governments walk the talk. Enabling young people in policy- making is another aspect we work on. Entertaining young people is not our job ; we look into their needs, social inclusion, peace building and democracy.

We emphasise bringing young people to decision making. We see young people as being an asset to their countries. They can contribute to national development.

Q : Since you deal with young people from different countries you have the privilege of seeing the global picture. Do you think youth contribute to development and to the betterment of the world?

A : I believe that they do. The percentage of young people varies from country to country. In some Commonwealth countries young people - people under 30 years of age - is 70 percent of the population. It is an asset or liability depending on what the Governments do with young people. Many countries have identified this potential and are investing in it. They are reaping the demographic dividends.

The world is a challenging place for young people now. They face - unemployment, conflict and violence, HIV AIDS, human rights abuses. Young people are concerned about corruption at higher levels. Internet connectivity and social media has enabled connectivity. They have more potential to be mobilised and to have a voice. In my view, what we need to be doing is encapsulating this potential harnessing all that energy, knowledge, connectivity, that potential to make a change in a more constructive way. Collaboratively and inter-generationally as well.

Q : The Youth Forum comprised discussions, debates and decisions. How is all this going to be implemented? How would the Commonwealth Youth walk the talk?

A : There are two different ways that the outcome of this meeting can make a difference in the world. One is the traditional way - where young people come up with their recommendations on a number of issues that are priorities which they presented to the Foreign Ministers during pre-CHOGM discussions.

They have a chance to sit with Heads of Governments to discuss their policy decisions and all the issues that they have prioritised. This is the only forum in the world where young people get the chance to and debate about youth issues. This is something that the UN is still trying to set up.

The process we already have in place is important and we will not stop that. We will add a parallel strand with the new Commonwealth Youth Council. The policies passed this week will not only be presented to the Heads of Government but those will be a part of a strategic plan of the Youth Council. They will drive the youth lead activities to implement.

Q : Considering a country like Sri Lanka youth of all communities were affected due to terrorism. The most energetic faction of the society is facing difficulties in coping with their day to day life. They need to build their lives, have a better quality life. What is the role of the Commonwealth Youth in making this a reality?

A : First of all, as I see the Sri Lankan Government has taken the right steps in this issue. Sri Lanka is one of the Commonwealth countries that have a serious investment on young people. The National Youth Services Council is such an impressive organization - the scale of it, the investment it makes, the different aspects it has, the cultural side, governance side etc. That is a really good sign. Im not an expert on conflict issues but as I know the Human Rights Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat took steps to bring together such affected people from Commonwealth countries like South Africa, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka.

They were brought together to remind them that something terrible happened in the past and to ensure that it would not happen again and to share experiences to move ahead for a better future.

South Africa is a good example with an impressive reconciliation process. I think people in conflict have known only these disturbed situations. Getting out of such a situation is tricky. If youth have lost the opportunity in education, vocational training and employment it leaves a negative effect. Providing vocational skills will make a huge impact. Because skilled employment, will not only give them an income but also enable them to lead a decent life with dignity.

But you also must keep in mind that when deciding what is best for young people, you have to ask from young people what they need. A process that involves a discussion with affected young people to see what they need will be a part in forming the plan.

Q : Conflict among the young and the old is a never ending subject. This has lead to unpleasant situations as youth are rebellious. Isn't this a big part in youth issues?

A: Youth being rebebellious is an issuel. As societies progress generations will be definitely different. A part of healthy adolescent development is to rebel against the environment they live in. It is a good thing because it is about young people testing their boundaries and understanding. Rebelling is not bad. It is young people testing their ideas and opinions. Obviously managing that is important. In communities where young people are expected to have responsibilities but may not be given social status and decision making positions.

Creativity, innovation and energy in youth is exciting and it could be exhausting to some. The older generation will face a challenge but the younger generation needs to be coached in a proper way to present their ideas without being violent.