Fifteenth World Conference on Youth at Magampura

by Naalir Jamaldeen

BMICH is gearing to hold the World Conference on Youth 2014. The inaugural ceremony will be held at Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa International Convention Centre. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the Chief Guest, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Q: Can you give us a breakdown of the World conference on youth 2014?

A:106 countries have confirmed participation. The first International Conference on Youth was held held in 1936. Since then 14 conferences have been held so far. Now we are preparing to hold the 15th World Conference on Youth.

The selected theme for the conference takes prominence because it talks about the development agenda after 2015. Millennium Development Goals which were set in 2000 concludes in 2015.

Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa International Convention Centre.

The time has come to formulate a development agenda after 2015.

The main theme for the World Conference on Youth is “Mainstream youth agenda in 2015 “.

Youth have been given priority in setting up goals after 2015.What steps should be taken to empower them and their role towards the country and society. Youth empowerment is of significance.

When the UN set out Millennium Development Goals in 2000 instructed countries across the world to complete or achieve the goals in 2015. The necessity to prepare a new development agenda or mechanism after 2015 has now arisen.

The agenda consists of three factions such as those countries which completed the projects on time, completed to semi level and countries which are yet to complete the assigned projects.

A different agenda or mechanism is crucial to these three.

No discussions were held in this regard and during the previous conference which was held in Mexico, Sri Lanka made this request that after 2015 when development goals were drafted how youth agenda should be included. Sri Lanka also requested that Sri Lanka is ready to host dialogues in this regard.

A few months after the elimination of terrorism, in August 2010 the Youth Affairs Ministry said that they were ready for dialogue on these aspects in Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had agreed to bear the the cost to an extent.

The Government was ready to address youth-related problems considering the future of millions of youth across the world.

The Colombo Declaration will be launched with the conclusion of the conference.

The Colombo Declaration is the only document which will prepare the agenda for youth for another 15 years.

Q: What are the benefits Sri Lanka will gain from the Conference?

A: In the past there were three youth insurrections in Sri Lanka which had a devastating impact on the country.

The investment on youth is immeasurable. The investment on youth is a long-term investment. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is keen to increase computer literacy of youth of this country. There are over over five million youth between 15 and 29 years in Sri Lanka. Nearly four million of them use mobile phones.

At this juncture where modern technology has developed, the Government has a responsibility of linking these youth with youth across the globe. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has immense faith in youth.

Q: What benefit will Sri Lankan youth receive from the Commonwealth Youth Forum?

A: The Headquarters of Commonwealth Youth Forum have been set up in Hambantota. We will open it soon. Foreign countries including Commonwealth countries have a different idea about Sri Lanka.They thought Sri Lanka was an unsuccessful country. Many countries gave negative statements. Debunking all these criticisms Sri Lanka received an ideal victory.

CHOGM was another forum where Sri Lanka was showcased at international level.

The Commonwealth Youth Forum was another milestone in Sri Lanka's victorious journey . A 137 youth delegates representing the Commonwealth Countries participated.

This event bridged the regional gap and 123 youth out of 137 had visited Sri Lanka for the first time.

They communicated with Sri Lankan youth and exchanged views . The collective statement of youth who participated in the Commonwealth Youth Forum was that the criticism levelled against Sri Lanka were baseless and that they were misled because of wrong information. A young woman who visited Sri Lanka for CHOGM told an interview to ITN that the misconceptions in her mind about Sri Lanka were wrong. These statements made by foreigners were in Sri Llanka favour.

Q: How many countries participate in the World Conference on Youth-2014?

A: A 106 countries confirmed participation by last week. Each country will have a male and female representative. The number of countries which participate may increase.The opening ceremony will be held on May 6. The conference until its conclusion will be held at the BMICH Colombo.

The conference will consist of round table discussions, workshops, side events, parallel events and several youth related programs.Mainly the conference will focus on foundations and cross cutting issues such as achieving good governance and accountability, inclusive youth participation at all levels, youth rights, globalization/ inclusive youth led-development, ending system inequalities, gender equality and empowering marginalized youth including most at risk young people.

Meanwhile, discussions will be held under seven themes such as equal access to quality education, employment and entrepreneurship, poverty eradication and food security, promoting healthy lives and access to health, environmental protection, emergency preparedness and youth centred urbanization, realizing peace, reconciliation and ending violence and ensuring inclusive recreation, sports and cultures. Parallel discussions of youth representatives, UN experts and decision makers will also be held. Twenty eight Youth Ministers have confirmed participation .

The conference will conclude on May 9. A final document consisting of the views of participants will be launched on the final day.

Q: The World Conference on Youth 2014 is approaching and is a time when Sri Lanka's abilities could be showcased. Being the Minister responsible for youth affairs, can you explain the steps taken by the Ministry to host this event?

A: Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and I made a request during the 67th General Assembly's third committee resolution of the UN to host the World Youth conference in Sri Lanka.

The UN accepted the request. President Mahinda Rajapaksa allocated the finances to hold the World Conference on Youth 2014 in Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa also made a request to declare a World Skills Day.

This request was made after declaring the National Skills Day as June 1st in Sri Lanka.

The main reason was to address the of unemployment problems of youth. Unemployment has created various problems among youth.

The only means to address unemployment is to develop skills of youth. Sri Lanka is the only country which has a Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development.

The Government has succeeded in reducing the unemployment ratio to 4.5 percent.