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."

Katherine Ellis |
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. |