CANADA : AFN National Chief and Youth Council launch National Day of Political Action

NAMIBIA : Youth Bill Flawed Regarding Ages

JAMAICA : Senior citizens urged to shape Jamaica's youth

GHANA : Youth warned against political violence ; Let’s help expand private enterprises

USA : 4-H Reveals National Science Experiment to be Featured During Upcoming 4-H National Youth ; Youth violence prevention plan could go national

UNITED KINGDOM : Young people are losing their sense of national identity; Concern as jobless under-20s rise

NIGERIA : Goverment’s youth empowerment programme kicks-off ; Towards better opportunity for youths

SCOTLAND : Scottish Youth Parliament meets in Hamilton for national sitting

NEW ZEALAND : Goverment hails youth anti-smoking campaign

DENMARK : Funding for interpretation

BULGARIA : Annual Report on Youth for 2007

MACAU : Youth Council to study deviant behaviour solutions 

FIJI : Youths graduate from scheme

THAILAND : Prem tells Thai youth to speak the truth only

CAMBODIA : National youth policy to be embedded in law 

KENYA : Youth in bonding trip to Rift Valley

ETHIOPIA : Ministry set to create over 2mln jobs for unemployed youth 

CAMEROON : Youth Minister chairs working session to fine tune Youth Plan

SAUDI ARABIA : Saudis and Bahrainis to form Arab Youth Society

AZERBAIJAN : Azerbaijan and Iraq to Develop Co-operation on Youth Policy

SPAIN : EU- public consultation on the future of youth policy

NETHERLANDS : Online Probe Into EU Youth Policy Launched

SOUTH AFRICA : ANCYL: Umsobomvu, commission to merge

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CANADA

AFN National Chief and Youth Council launch National Day of Political Action

Ottawa, Sept. 29 - TODAY, AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine and the AFN National Youth Council launched the National Day of Political Action as one of the initiatives of "Vote '08, Change Can't Wait!". This campaign aims to increase First Nations political participation, to encourage voting among First Nations voters and to increase the profile of Aboriginal issues in this election.

"During the June 11th Apology to residential school survivors, every federal party leader expressed a desire for collective reconciliation, fundamental change and a future based on respect and recognition of who we are as First Peoples. It is time to fulfill this promise. We are calling on all federal parties to put their words into action by laying out clear platforms aimed at effective and meaningful change," said National Chief Phil Fontaine."First Nations and all Canadians who witnessed the apology want to see an improved quality of life for First Nations children and citizens. Canadians know that when First Nations do well, we all do well as a country."

AFN National Youth Co-chair Ken Watts added that there are more than 115,000 First Nations youth (aged 18-30) of voting age, is a significant number of the total First Nations voting age population.

"I am encouraging all First Nations youth to become active in this campaign. Whether that means going to local all-candidates debates and asking questions on First Nations issues, writing to media with your concerns and questions, speaking with your candidates, or finally by voting for a party which sets First Nations issues as priority," said Ken Watts. "First Nations youth are wondering 'What are the next steps in reconciliation?' They want party leaders to answer the question 'Now what?'"

The AFN and AFN National Youth Council are also calling on youth and all First Nations citizens to write to the Broadcasting Consortium, who represent Canada's largest television networks, to demand that questions on First Nations issues be put to party leaders during the upcoming televised debates scheduled for October 1 and 2.

"The AFN National Youth Council has always encouraged youth to make an informed decision regarding participation in the federal election. Yet, in the last election, media did not ask a single question on First Nations, Inuit or Métis issues," said youth co-chair, Nicole Minde. "I also believe that a growing number of non-aboriginal Canadians are interested in social issues impacting First Nations youth such as safe drinking water, access to health care, building First Nations economies, fair funding in the education and child welfare systems, as well as hearing each party's vision on how reconciliation will address these issues."

The AFN named September 29 a National Day of Political Action in First Nation communities as part of its "Vote '08, Change Can't Wait!" On this day and each day leading up to the October 14 election,, First Nation communities are encouraged to participate in a variety of political activities such as engaging with their citizens and local candidates, hosting community meetings and town halls, discuss platforms with each other, and other political events so that First Nation citizens can make an informed choice in the federal election. This initiative is also aimed at soliciting a clear and robust First Nations platform from each political party.

Given the slim margin of victory in over 50 ridings in the last general election, the AFN believes First Nation citizens can influence the outcome of this election and the future of First Nations public policy. As there are more than 800,000 citizens, a significant number of whom are voting age, First Nations can make a difference in this election.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national political organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

The AFN Youth Council strives to influence the direction of the Assembly of First Nations through advocacy, equality and working with all levels of leadership, in creating opportunities for personal development and empowerment for the future of all generations.

[Canada NewsWire]

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NAMIBIA

Youth Bill Flawed Regarding Ages

Windhoek, Sept 29 - AFTER three years in the making, legislation for the existing National Youth Council has finally reached the National Assembly, but alert Parliamentarians have already seen a flaw, as the bill only categorises those aged between 16 and 30 as youths.

This is in contradiction to the African Youth Charter, ratified by Parliament a few months ago, which states that people aged between 16 and 35 are regarded as youths.

Swapo Members Juliet Kavetuna and Peya Mushelenga informed the House after Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Willem Konjore tabled the National Youth Council Bill last week that the age limit in the draft should be changed to 35.

"Namibia should thus concur with the African Youth Charter with regard to the age limit," Kavetuna said.

Mushelenga pointed out that the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) should also promote business ventures for young Namibians while the Ministry of Trade and Industry should "ensure the local youth could benefit from existing loan schemes for small and medium enterprises."

According to Minister Konjore, the NYC was established in 1994 already and efforts to draft a bill for the institution started in 2005.

"The new bill will not only create a national youth development agency (fund), but will contribute towards a professionalised youth development sector," he said.

The new draft law provides for regional youth forums in all 13 political regions and at constituency level in all of the country's 107 constituencies.

[AllAfrica]

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JAMAICA

Senior citizens urged to shape Jamaica's youth

Manchester, Sept. 29 - SOME 32 senior citizens in Manchester recently graduated from a 14-week computer-training programme, sponsored by the National Library of Jamaica and the National Council for Senior Citizens.

At a graduation ceremony held at the Mandeville New Testament Church, Lorraine McLean, deputy director of the library service, region three, charged the seniors to use their knowledge to guide young people.

"Senior citizens are the jewels of the nation's human resource. They possess a wealth of experience and so, I charge you, who have been there, done that and still have a lot more to give, to offer yourselves and time and expertise in shaping our young people," McLean said.

Chief public health nurse for the parish, Tyra Turner, encouraged the seniors to engage in active aging, where their concerns can be shared with others.

"It involves engagement in social groups where you interact with others who share the same issues that you are concerned with, it helps to show that you are not alone, and might just be enough to ease the mental stress, that our seniors go through from time to time," she said.

The health official noted that it is important for seniors to participate in social and cultural activities.

"Ageing must be seen as a progressing change in the biological and physical features of an individual. It is not a disease, nor does it cause diseases; it is a normal process in the human cycle, but if we fail to maintain an active lifestyle, we are likely to be socially and mentally challenged," Turner added.

[Jamaica Gleaner]

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GHANA

Youth warned against political violence

Accra, Sept. 3 - THE National Youth Council (NYC) has urged the youth to desist from allowing themselves to be used for personal gains by politicians.

They should also redirect their energies and time to enhancing their aptitude for innovation and self-discovery in order to improve the quality of their lives and communities.

A release signed by Ms Sarah Obeng, Public Relations Officer of NYC, warned persons who took delight in influencing the youth for their personal gains to stop the practice.

It said: “We challenge them to recognise the fact that it is more rewarding to redirect the resources they invest in generating and promoting conflicts towards building patriotism, nationalism and volunteerism for the enhancement of peace and stability of Ghana.”

The NYC said it was concerned that in spite of the global recognition of the youth as a valuable resource for national development, a large number of them allowed themselves to be used by unscrupulous and selfish politicians to foment trouble and violent conflicts in some cases.

The release said it had noted with grave concern recent happenings in various parts of the country involving some youths of some political parties and condemned the violence that had been exhibited.

It said these conflicts and other vices often resulted in deaths and under-development in such communities and the nation as a whole.

The NYC enjoined the youth to be very discerning and vigilant in their individual and collective undertakings.

The Council also called on all peace-loving Ghanaians to join hands to ensure peaceful general election and a harmonious environment for the nation’s development.

[Joy Online]

Let’s help expand private enterprises

Accra, Sept. 30 - MR. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has commended heads of institutions in the informal sector for their invaluable roles and contributions in providing job opportunities for a great number of the youth.

Mr Baffour-Awuah was speaking at a dialogue workshop organized for the media and small scale entrepreneurs in Sunyani.

The workshop was organized by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in collaboration with KAB Governance Consult and BUSAC Fund.

Aimed at encouraging the authorities of Municipal and District Assemblies to offer the necessary support for the development of the small scale enterprises, the workshop was under the theme, “The Role of The Regional Coordinating Council in the Promoting Micro and Small Scale Enterprises”.

Mr Baffour-Awuah expressed the government’s appreciation to the private entrepreneurs for making jobs available for the youth, citing the Association of Garages for employing about 3000 of the youth.

He disclosed that the Regional Coordinating Council had offered continued support to the private sector through the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), through capacity building workshops for heads of private businesses to enable them to manage their businesses effectively.

The Regional Minister said the Municipal and District Assemblies had also been providing credit and loans to operators in the private sector through the Rural Enterprise Project (REP) to sustain them financially.

Mr Baffour-Awuah appealed to private entrepreneurs to register their workers under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

Mr Bright Blewu, General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association  emphasized the need for the media to highlight the activities of private businesses, so people would patronize their products.

He advised heads of private-owned companies to arrange for better remuneration for their workers, to sustain their interest towards the expansion and improvement of their businesses.

Mr. Kwasi Afriyie Badu, Chief Executive Officer of KAB Government Consult, called on the media to help advance the activities of private businesses and help open job avenues especially for the youth.

He asked the assemblies to provide financial support to enable private entrepreneurs to expand and sustain their businesses.

[Joy Online]

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USA

4-H Reveals National Science Experiment to be Featured During Upcoming 4-H National Youth

Maryland, Sept. 8 - NATIONAL 4-H Council today announced details of the first-ever National Science Experiment (NSE), the designated science activity of  4-H National Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD) to be held October 8, 2008. The National Science Experiment will focus on the environment and will use science principles to teach youth across the country about the importance of water conservation. Science education expert Steve Spangler worked closely with 4-H and Dr. Bob Horton, 4-H science education specialist for The Ohio State University Extension, to create the NSE and related activities, which will be made available to the 6 million 4-H youth plus parents, teachers, students, and youth organizations nationwide.

Youth who participate in the National Science Experiment will examine the properties of water-absorbing polymers, which are long chains of molecules that can be used in environmental applications such as agriculture, erosion control, soil management, and environmental clean-ups. Youth of all ages will test the effectiveness of polymers in an easy-to-administer soil and water experiment and then post their findings online to engage in dialogue with fellow youth nationwide.
One of the goals of the experiment is to encourage youth to discuss the potential impact of superabsorbent polymers as well as environmental issues relating to water conservation and groundwater contamination. 4-H, part of the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture and the 106 Land-Grant Universities across the country, has been educating youth on agriculture and the sciences for over 100 years. 4-H NYSD and NSE exemplify the kind of exploration that the organization encourages so that youth become skilled, responsible, and caring adults in the future.

"The National Science Experiment is a hands-on project with practical benefits that educate youth about our environment -- all the while making science fun," said Dr. Horton. "The experiment helps youth not only understand how superabsorbent polymers can be used in horticulture, gardening, landscaping, and specialty crop farming, but also how they can address water conservation and groundwater contamination issues in their own community."

"4-H has an incredibly strong foundation in the sciences thanks to its relationship with Land-Grant Universities across the U.S.," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., CEO and president of the National 4-H Council. "This experiment is an example of the way 4-H encourages youth to make a real difference in their community and in the world. 4-H National Youth Science Day will inspire young people to study and to pursue careers in the sciences so that our country is more prepared to handle global challenges in the future."

Steve Spangler, a science author, teacher, and TV personality, will serve as a 4-H NYSD spokesperson, demonstrating water conservation activities at select events across the country. Spangler is widely-known in cyberspace for teaching millions of youth how to create an exploding geyser using ordinary soda and Mentos. He has made over 500 television appearances, including several stints on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and as the science education specialist for the NBC affiliate in Denver. He won an Emmy in 1997 as host of the nationally-syndicated News for Kids show. Spangler is an authority on hands-on science and inquiry-based learning and regularly leads teacher-training seminars across the U.S.

"I'm excited to be a part of this amazing 4-H event where people of all ages will get excited about science and the steps we can take to make our world a better place to live," said Spangler. "This project is a great opportunity for getting kids to ask questions, make discoveries, explore new ideas, and truly be engaged in their own learning."

4-H National Youth Science Day was announced in June alongside a new public service campaign "One Million New Scientists. One Million New IdeasTM." The campaign supports the organization's long-term goal of attracting 1 million new youth to 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs by the year 2013. 4-H's existing science curriculum combined with these new initiatives will arm youth with the technical skills needed to help America maintain its competitive edge in the global marketplace. For more information on 4-H National Youth Science Day,

[MarketWatch]

Youth violence prevention plan could go national

Minneapolis, Sept. 28- A Broad plan, less than a year old, to reduce youth violence in Minneapolis has Mayor R.T. Rybak convinced the local model could be worked into a national crime bill.

“It absolutely has the potential to be a national program,” Rybak said. “If I’m successful getting our four areas [of youth violence prevention] into a national crime bill, work we’ve done locally would make it dramatically easier.”

The Blueprint for Action to Prevent Youth Violence, a document completed in January 2008, is aimed at youth violence prevention in five targeted neighborhoods — four in North and one in South Minneapolis, Rybak said. The Blueprint, drafted in collaboration by the City Council, mayor’s office and Minneapolis Youth Congress, includes four main goals and 34 recommendations.

While he did not have hard numbers Sept. 11, Rybak said that the Blueprint’s long-term and short-term recommendations are “almost all in some stage of development.”

The Mayor said he has plans to present a more detailed progress report in late September.

The four-point plan to prevent youth violence, outlined in the Blueprint:   

• Every young person must be supported by one trusted adult. The city has funded, and is seeking further grants, for a series of parenting-support programs. It also asked 50 city employees to volunteer as mentors for at-risk youth — one of the 34 recommendations — but only 20 have so far.

• Attack the culture of violence. Rybak said this point is most certainly a team effort that will lean heavily on support from Hennepin County. However, he said also the city has applied for a grant to create a position known as a gang prevention coordinator in the Health and Family Support office. It has already hired Youth Coordinator, in July, and the expansion of the Juvenile Unit of the Minneapolis Police Department has helped, officials said.

• Intervene at first sign of at risk behavior. The city’s Juvenile Supervision Center, established in January, is a way, Rybak said “to ensure we don’t give up on our kids.” The JSC, located in City Hall, is a drop-off point where those arrested for “low-level offenses” can receive corrective action without serving jail time. Since January, the JSC has served 1,500 youth, with 950 receiving case management and counseling. Estimates are it will receive up to 4,000 youth by the end of the year. 

• Violence is learned, and can be unlearned by reducing the impact of violent messages in media, culture and entertainment. This is where Rybak said local ideas will be used nationally.

Rybak will pitch plans Sept. 25 to the meeting of Big City Mayors at the National League of Cities Conference in Charleston, S.C. Once other mayors’ opinions have been incorporated into the work, Rybak said he has plants to put the Blueprint on the desk of Joe Biden, the Delaware senator dedicated to the reduction of youth violence, for inclusion in a 2009 crime bill.

Back in Minneapolis, Rybak, along with other from the city’s Youth Violence Prevention Committee, will be publicly releasing a progress report on the Blueprint in early October, according to Rybak’s spokesman Jeremy Hanson.

In his August budget address, Rybak said that violent crime committed by offenders under the age of 18 is down 46 percent in Minneapolis when comparing figures from January to June 2006, to the same time period in 2008.

Hanson said this is due to “more cops, better technology, community prosecutors … and youth violence prevention.”

Youth still account for 25 percent of all violent crime in the city.

Rybak proposed infusing $525,000 in new money for a total of $8.2 million for the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative — or the Blueprint — in the 2009 city budget.

Council Member Elizabeth Glidden (8th Ward) agreed the Minneapolis Blueprint being touted by Rybak could work nationally, but stressed that a reduction in youth violence is simply one aspect in getting youths more involved in their community, and therefore less likely to commit violence.

“It certainly could work nationally,” Glidden said of the Blueprint. “[The question] ends up being how do you put the meat on those bones?”

Glidden chairs the Youth Coordinating Board, consisting of members from the city, county, school and park boards. She believes that the Blueprint is a good start, but hinted more work could be done before it is expanded nationally.

“We’re still working ourselves on how do you implement the strategies, and what are all the different pieces,” she said. “I think the mayor is right in the sense that we need to broaden how this is seen as a national priority.”

[Downtown Journal]

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UNITED KINGDOM

Young people are losing their sense of national identity

London, Sept. 27 - TWO thirds of young Brits reckon foreigners are ruining their sense of national identity.

More than 60% of UK youngsters aged from 18 to 35 say their Britishness has been wrecked by the influx of foreign immigrants.

And the shock news comes as Army chiefs demanded a limit on the number of overseas soldiers serving in our forces.

Defence Secretary Des Browne wants to cap the foreign troops count at 15% so the cultural identity of the British Army is not damaged.

Military bosses also fear immigrant soldiers could ruin operations if they are banned from fighting by their own countries.

Some 2,000 Brits were surveyed by the British Council about their attitudes to immigration.

A quarter said foreigners pose a threat to British workers and 12% reckon the influx of people from abroad is a risk to security.

Just 7% of Brits surveyed said they feel European while 40% consider themselves to be British.

Paul Docherty, of the British Council, said: “It is clear there are stark challenges in staying in touch with our younger gener-ation and addressing some of their fears.”

Meanwhile, the Army’s plans have been thrown into chaos because race relations watchdogs will not support the measure.

Almost two thirds of people wanting to join the Army in London are foreigners.

And the Army warns: “Other governments might ban their citizens from taking  part in some conflicts.

“We cannot have parts of the Army unable to be deployed.”

[Daily Star]

Concern as jobless under-20s rise

London, Sept. 29- FIGURES which show youth unemployment in Suffolk is the highest in the East of England and above the national average have been described as worrying.

The percentage of unemployed people under 20 in the region stands at 13.1%, according to recent figures by the Suffolk Development Agency.

This compares to 10% in Bedfordshire and 10.8% in Norfolk. The average for the East of England is 11.4% while the figure for Great Britain stands at 11.1%.

David Ruffley, MP for Bury St Edmunds, demanded to know last night why Suffolk's youth unemployment rates were higher than the national average.

“These are very worrying figures considering that for most of the last decade Suffolk's unemployment record was fairly reasonable. I want to know why youth unemployment is not only worse than the rest of the East of England but it is lagging behind the national average. What sectors in Suffolk are doing badly and what is the Suffolk Development Agency's strategy to help them?

The figures reveal that youth unemployment in the region has increased year on year since 2005 - up from 12.1%. During that time youth unemployment dropped in Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said the problems related to those aged between 18 and 20, but said there were a number of positive initiatives now taking place.

“The overall unemployment figure for Suffolk is in line, if not better, than the national average,” he said. “However I do agree that there is an issue, as the statistics show, with unemployment figures for the under-20s. This is caused by a number of issues, not least such things as the rural nature of the region and the pockets of deprivation that there are in the county.

“But there are positive projects in place to address these issues and I am aware of a number of initiatives that are being rolled out by agencies.”

Mr Dugmore added that 16-18-year-old participation in further education is improving year on year in the county and the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has recently launched a Young Chamber which aims to engage youngsters in the world of work.

George Ashford, economic intelligence manager at Suffolk Development Agency, added: “Unemployment amongst our younger population has been a key issue in recent years. Whilst it remains high, a number of organisations are being very proactive in their approach to solving the problem. Through the county's economic development strategy, Expanding Suffolk's Horizons the Suffolk Development Agency is working with the Learning and Skills Council, JobCentre Plus and Connexions on a number of initiatives aimed at getting young people into work.”

[East Anglian Daily Times]

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NIGERIA

Goverment’s youth empowerment programme kicks-off

Abuja, Sept. 29 - ALL Local government councils and Development Areas in Nasarawa State have been directed to forward the names of sixty youths each for participation in the state Youth Skill Acquisition Programme (YSAP). The programme has been designed by the state government to empower youths to be self-reliant for future challenges.

These facts were revealed to Nigerian Newsday recently by the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Youth Council, Mr. Haliru Wakaso, during an exclusive interview in Lafia, the state capital.

Mr. Wakaso noted that many youths have been engaged as intermediate workers in the state civil service, adding that the YAP initiative was a clear indication that the present government was carrying the youths along in the scheme of things.

He said the council was planning to host a state summit which according to him, would involve the 29 local government and development areas in the state, pointing out that resource persons from reputable organizations would sensitize the youths on the council’s activities during the summit.

Mr. Wakaso stated that the youth council leadership was determined to project Nasarawa State in a positive light, urging them to always engage themselves in productive activities.

[Vanguard]

Towards better opportunity for youths

Abuja, Sept. 30 - THE Future of Nigeria belongs to the youths who are theleaders of tomorrow. They have tremendous roles to play towards national develop-ment and integration. Unfortunately, they are not given the necessary attention by the authorities concerned in incorporating them into the process of national development.

Because of the import-ance of involvement of youths and their ability to make positive changes, the United Nations in 1985 drew the attention of the global community to the important roles of young people, which prompted the declaration f that year as International Youth Year for Development and Peace.

From available statistics, especially the recent census figures, Nigeria has a youthful population of about 80 million, which is about 60 percent of her population. Of this youthful population, more than 70 percent are said to be unemployed, even after obtaining relevant work experience and acquiring other qualifications for the job. The danger of unemployment and the consequent idleness can be better imagined.

We are living witnesses to how our youths roam around the streets in search of what to do in order to survive. Some, out of utter frustration, take to terrible vices like engaging in criminality and drug abuse as a result of idleness. As more graduates are churned out of the nation’s higher institutions, they enter the labour market searching for elusive and non-existing jobs, even after completing the mandatory national youth service programme.

Although there are progammes on youth development initiated by past governments and non-governmental organisations, a lot has to be done in the area of youth empowerment to ensure a bright future for our youths and towards a safer and secure society.

Some agencies have, indeed, made some noticeable impacts towards addressing the problems of youth unemployment, yet, more and more still need to be done. For instance, the Center for Youth Develop-ment Project, a non-governmental body, has continued to champion the cause and advancement of youth through the develop-mental and leadership training, while some corpo-rate organisations have also engaged the youths in worthwhile exercises and programmes that can prepare them to be self-reliant or become employable in a competitive environment.
 
A clear example is Shell Intensive Training Programme, designed to develop the skill of young Nigerian graduates and technicians to prepare them for employment in the oil industry.

From the government, the National Poverty Eradication Programme, which was initiated by the Obasanjo administration to provide jobs for the youth has witnessed employment of youths in different sectors of the economy, but many are still crying that the govern-ment should do more.

It is necessary to call on the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to be proactive in its responsibilities. Since it is the supervisory ministry overseeing the National Youth Service Corps, it should evolve a programme that could absolve and engage youth corps members in nation-building, even after their discharge from the one-year youth service.

A soft loan can be guaranteed by the govern-ment for youth corps members who wish to be self-employed, after providing business plan and acquiring basic skills for the venture. With these developments, not only would they be actively engaged in businesses, they may also be employers of labour. The proposed Youth Development Fund, which is under the Youth Empowerment Programme, would be very timely in this regard, especially in providing finances for the young people who have bright entrepreneurial ideas and initiatives that can boost the economic develop-ment of our great nation.

The mandate of the Ministry of Youth and Development should not only be concerned on promoting the physical, mental, and socio-economic development of the Nigerian youth but also to protect their right and the enhance-ment of their welfare for self actualisation through job creation and skills acquisition.

A situation whereby youths, after several years of acquiring higher education, could not get the desired job, brought about some of the vices that are being witnessed in the country now, including armed robbery, cultism, prostitution, drug addition, hostage taking, gangsterism and lawlessness. 

Governments at all levels should ensure that more funds are provided in their annual budgets for youth development programmes that can lead to securing job opportunity. More skills acquisition centers should also be established to encourage youths to develop their talents and reduce the dependence on white-collar jobs.

Go-to-farm policy can also be attractive if it is well packaged. This will also ensure mass food production and other allied products from agricultural outputs.

When the youths are empowered with skills, education and jobs, the rate of poverty in our country will reduce, likewise the current high level of criminality.

[The Punch]

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SCOTLAND

Scottish Youth Parliament meets in Hamilton for national sitting

Edinburgh, Sept. 18 - AROUND 150 young people from across Scotland this month gathered in Hamilton for a national sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Members of the youth parliament (MSYPs) are all aged between 14 and 25, and act as a voice for the young people of Scotland.

South Lanarkshire Council hosted the meeting at their headquarters in Almada Street, Hamilton, on the weekend of September 6 and 7.

The members discussed a number of issues affecting young people.

South Lanarkshire Youth Council chairman Kieran Collins, said: “Hamilton was an extremely productive sitting where MSYPs debated on issues ranging from youth justice, knife crime, rural schools and national campaigns.

“The youth parliament has never been more prepared or equipped to rise to the challenges that face young people.

“South Lanarkshire and the young people who live here should be very proud of their MSYPs. Every one of them raise the concerns and issues of young people at every opportunity.

“I am immensely proud of them all and would like to thank everyone who was involved in organising SYP’s sitting in Hamilton, which really helped us to set a great direction and focus.”

[Hamilton Advertiser news]

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NEW ZEALAND

Goverment hails youth anti-smoking campaign

Wellington, Sept. 30 - A Survey shows 74 percent of 939 respondents agreed the youth anti-smoking campaign ads - prominent on TV and at bus stops - made smoking seem "less cool".
MAARTEN HOLL/Dominion Post

TV ADS WORKING: A survey shows 74 percent of 939 respondents agreed the youth anti-smoking campaign ads - prominent on TV and at bus stops - made smoking seem "less cool".

The Government says a survey shows a $1.65 million youth anti-smoking campaign is working.

The Health Sponsorship Council's "Smoking Not Our Future" campaign, which features 30 youth culture celebrities talking negatively about smoking, was launched in November 2006.

Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor today said a survey done as part of an evaluation of the campaign showed 74 percent of 939 respondents agreed the ads -- prominent on TV and at bus stops -- made smoking seem "less cool".

The survey showed 82 percent of those aged 12 to 14 and 63 percent of those aged 15 to 17 said the ads had put them off smoking.

[Stuff.co.nz]

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DENMARK

Funding for interpretation

Copenhagen, Spt. 25 - THE Nordic Council Presidium has decided to allocate DKK 455,000 to give the Nordic Youth Council more money for interpretation and translation in the future.

NYC decided at its meeting in April this year to speak in English in the situations where it wasn’t possible to understand each other in the Nordic languages. Nordic Ministers and MPs reacted strongly to this statement and believed that understanding the Nordic languages is fundamental to Nordic co-operation.

Some of the Nordic Council’s excess in 2007 will now be given to the NYC to allow them to have interpreters and translators at their meetings.

"It is important that we maintain and appreciate Nordic language understanding and therefore we will invest money in interpretation and translation," said the Nordic Council’s Secretary General Jan-Erik Enestam.

Lisbeth Sejer Gøtzsche, President of the NYC, is very pleased with the decision.

"Fantastic. We have fought for many years to get more money for interpretation and translation. I’m think that our decision to use English to a much greater extent in meetings woke many politicians up and made them realise the importance of Nordic language understanding," says Lisbeth Sejer Gøtzsche.

[Nordic Council]

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BULGARIA

Annual Report on Youth for 2007

Sofia, Sept. 29 - The Council of Ministers approved the Annual Report on Youth for 2007, the Government Information Service said.

The report is compiled for the sixth year in a row. It was written by an interdepartmental expert council including representatives of government ministries, agencies and other entities concerned with youth policy, and representatives of the academic and youth communities.

According to a summary of the report, presented by the State Agency on Youth and Sports (SAYS), it maps out eight basic spheres and policies of development and change: social status, education, health care, career development, free time, civil activity, risk behaviour, and European dimension of Bulgarian youth.

The analysis of the data registers advancement in all spheres in the lives of young people, subject to social regulation. A survey conducted by the Mediana polling agency shows real advancement in the quality of life of young people: increased consumption, improved financial status, and successful career development.

Currently, Bulgaria is below the average European indices of youth unemployment; if the "Roma factor" is isolated (these are, above all, young Roma without education and qualifications, functionally illiterate, who cannot find their place on the labour market - 14 per cent of the youth community, according to the survey) the country is at one of the lowest places in the EU in terms of unemployment. The share of unemployed young people with higher education has exclusively members of the Roma community.

An important step by SAYS has been the drawing up of a youth development bill which was submitted to the Council of Ministers in October 2007. The bill is aimed to promote the self-organization of young people by defining the mechanisms for building and structuring of youth representation.

[Social Rights Bulgaria]

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MACAU

Youth Council to study deviant behaviour solutions    

Macau, Spet 12 - THE Youth Council had a meeting yesterday to try to prevent deviant behaviour between youth. This includes behaviours that aren't necessarily illegal such as smoking, playing in casinos, or making noise in classes, not going to family meetings or saying bad words that are not appropriate for young people. According to the spokesperson from the Education and Youth Department, Wong Hong,  they intend to create a study to get information on these practices. The Department are intending to deal with this question in three aspects: school, family and the community.

[Macau Daily Times]

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FIJI

Youths graduate from scheme

Suva, Sept. 29 - THE National Youth Service Scheme is about investing strategically in youth livelihood for economic security, says Ministry of Youth NYSS manager, Vilimone Baledrokadroka.

The scheme matches the UNICEF Youth Study prerequisite for long-term economic security, he said.

Speaking at the NYSS specific skills training certificate presentation ceremony for close to 100 youths in Lautoka, Mr Baledrokadroka said the growth within the scheme has been noticed.

"There is an expected increase in the youth population or at least for the cohort that we serve, the 15-35 year age group. The 2007 population estimates put this at more than 30 per cent.

"Such a growth could be view either as a burden or an opportunity.

"The ministry has chosen to look at this as an opportunity.

"In fact we consider our youth population as our greatest resources," he said.

He said the ministry's greatest desire was to see that young people become economically independent, thriving in their communities and contributing to economic growth.

"The ministry will also continue to promote the importance of creating opportunities for community services and facilitating access to high-income labour markets.

"However, the onus is on the graduates. Access to these opportunities will ultimately be decided by how well you perform and the impressions you create in your communities through your work, behaviour and attitudes," he said.

[Fiji Times]

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THAILAND

Prem tells Thai youth to speak the truth only    

Bangkok, Sept. 27 - PRIVI Council president Prem Tinsulanonda called on Thai youth to speak only the truth and know what is right or wrong.

Gen Prem, speaking at a ceremony to provide 1,500 scholarships to children at Nakhon Ratchasima province, also said that it is the responsibility of the adults to teach and instill the good deeds to the children, so they know that they have to contribute to the country.

[Bangkok Post]

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CAMBODIA

National youth policy to be embedded in law 

Phnom Penh, Sept. 29 - A Two-year-old national youth policy will form the basis for a new law that experts hope will prevent a slide in young people's moralityThe Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport’s national youth policy relates to ten main areas including education, employment, public health, environment and morality. This ten sector policy is to be reflected in the upcoming draft law, officials say.

A draft law aiming to formalise youth protection and increase government services to youths is set for passage in 2009. Crucially, the bill would define ‘‘a youth'' as a person between the ages of 15 and 30, which would include about 60 percent of the population.

The draft is based on the youth policy devised by the Ministry of Education,Youth and Sport in 2006, a secretary of state told the Post Sunday.

Chey Chap, secretary of state at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), said that the Ministry is determined to have the law adopted next year but warned there was a long way to go.

"The final draft of the law has yet to be written and will have to be approved by experts from abroad as well as NGOs and government departments that work with youth in Cambodia," he said.

Yong Kim Eng, executive director of People Development and Peace Center (PDP-Center), welcomed the government's determination to have the law adopted as soon as possible.

"I am hopeful that the fourth mandate government will have this law adopted as it promised during the election campaign," he said.

"The MoEYS [received technical assistance] to draft this law in 2006 and now this draft is in the hands of the government and they are looking at it again," said Yong Kim Eng.

Young people are the future. "[Young people are] important to Cambodia's development and the government is now responding to this," said Yong Kim Eng. "The government really needs to respond to young people's needs. It needs to create entertainment clubs for young people,  including sports clubs...so they have places to go to other than bars and night clubs," said Yong Kim Eng.

Mak Samnang, an official from the Kampong Cham provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sports, said it is essential that the government embeds the national youth policy into law to aid Cambodia's overall development.

"Youth is a pillar of this nation and youth morality is slipping. Many young people get hair high-lighted, drink alcohol, take drugs and become gangsters," he said.

"Three main factors in the education of youth are parents, teachers and society," said Mak Samnang. "If all three factors fail to educate young people, youth morality will decline and the society will be harmed through their bad conduct. The government needs to address this."
 
[Phnom Penh Post]

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KENYA

Youth in bonding trip to Rift Valley

Nairobi, Sept. 9 - THE 20 youth from Tetu Division exchanged pleasantries outside the Rift Valley PC’s office as they waited for the administrator to flag off the final leg of their journey for peace and, yes, discovery.

They were on their way to Marakwet East constituency in an exchange programme that saw youth from Marakwet visit Nyeri for two weeks last month.

Their faces were a study in excitement as they ventured into Rift Valley to interact with local communities. Most of them had never travelled beyond Nyahururu in their two decades on earth!

The exchange programme is the brainchild of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with the help of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and seeks to enable Kenyans from all regions to interact and create peace.

The effort comes in the wake of post-election violence that left 1,200 people dead mostly in the Rift Valley, property worth millions of shillings destroyed, and more than 350,000 people displaced. The ministry and UNDP are now bringing together youth from the warring communities.

Provincial commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan was to flag the youth off to complete their journey to Marakwet, having travelled from Nyeri.

The group, escorted by Nyeri district commissioner David Mwangi, on behalf of the Central PC, had to wait for six long hours to be addressed by the administrators and officers from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The long wait did not dampen their spirits as they were looking forward to reaching Marakwet East and mingling with the residents.

To set the mood for their journey, the youth were wearing caps and Polo-shirts bearing peace messages.

Printed on the caps was a message, “We are one” while on the front of the polo-shirt was “Tuelewane” (Let’s understand each other) in capital letters.

At the back of the shirts was another message, a quote from St Francis of Asissi, which says, “Lord make me an instrument of peace.”

One of them, Miss Rose Nyagaki, said she could not wait to meet in Marakwet istrict residents. She had never been to that part of the country before.

“Young people from that district visited us last month and we made friends. We have really missed them and now I want to go to their homes and meet their parents and other relatives,’’ she said.

The teenager, who was born and grew up in the rolling hills that hug the Aberdare National Park in Central Kenya, had only read in books about the beautiful Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita and the famous Perkerra Irrigation scheme in Baringo District.

But by Monday evening, she and her colleagues who travelled for a two week stay with residents of Marakwet East had seen the scenic lakes Elementaita and Nakuru.

The youth who always thought snow-capped Mount Kenya was the most beautiful physical feature on earth were amazed by the glorious gathering of flamingoes at Lake Nakuru.

They still had much to see at lakes Bogoria, Baringo and Kamnarok, not to mention the scenic Tugen Hills.

[Daily Nation]

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ETHIOPIA

Ministry set to create over 2mln jobs for unemployed youth   

Adama, Sept. 10 - Activities have been undertaken to create jobs for more than 2 million unemployed youth members this budget year, the Ministry of Youth and Sports disclosed.

The stated number of unemployed youth across the country would become self-reliant by being organized in various micro and small-scale enterprises, Youth and Sports Minister, Aster Mamo, told WIC.

The government has been undertaking activities to eradicate the deep-rooted poverty by designing carefully thought-out policies, she said, adding that short, medium and long term plans have been prepared and they are under implementation with a view to alleviate unemployment significantly.

The youth package designed two years ago is part of this plan, the minister said, adding that the necessary preparations are underway to engage the unemployed youth in wood and metal works, agriculture and micro business sectors this budget year.

The Ministry has been working in collaboration with financial institutions and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) for the success of the plan, and more than 500 million Birr loan is needed for the plan and preparations were also made towards that end as well.

Jobs have been created for more than 1.7 million unemployed members of the youth and over half a billion Birr loan was provided for them as a result of the aggressive efforts exerted across the country last budget year, she concluded.

[Walta Information Center]

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CAMEROON

Youth Minister chairs working session to fine tune Youth Plan

Yaounde Seppt. 10- THE Minister of Youth Affairs Adoum Garoua has presided over a working session for the final drafting of the Youth Plan.

The Youth Plan is a document which outlines youth projects and programmes to be implemented over a period of five years. The document is also expected to identify the sources of funding for these projects.

For the plan to be effective, the Ministry of Youth Affairs has brought together some 200 Cameroonians divided in sub groups.

These persons are drawn from a number of Ministries, youth movements, associations and other partner organizations.

During the working session, the Minister of Youth Affairs exhorted the steering committee members to apply their expertise to endow Cameroon with a good Youth Plan; a plan that will enable the youth to look into the future with optimism.

[Cameroon Radio Television]

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SAUDI ARABIA

Saudis and Bahrainis to form Arab Youth Society

Jeddah, Sept. 13 - THE Ministry of Social Development in Bahrain announced in August the initiation of the Arab Youth Society that will soon establish its offices in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.

The founders of the society are 19 people from Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Algeria and Saudi Arabia. Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi journalist and activist based in the Eastern Province, is the society’s secretary. “The idea started a year ago.

I met with the other founders on the Internet. We wanted to develop the cultural, social, scientific and athletic aspects of the lives of many young Arab people.

We want to create an ambitious generation willing to give and build a promising future,” said Al-Ghamdi.

He told Arab News that after Ramadan there would be coordination between the Bahraini Ministry of Social Development and the Saudi Social Affairs Ministry to finalize establishing a branch in Saudi Arabia. “It will be the first youth society in the Kingdom.

The society’s board of directors would also be visiting the Ministry of Social Affairs in Saudi to introduce them to the society’s vision and objectives,” added Al-Ghamdi.

[Arab News]

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AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan and Iraq to Develop Co-operation on Youth Policy

Baku, Sept. 27 - AZERBAIJAN and Iraq will develop co-operation with regards to the youth policy. The protocol on intentions on co-operation with regards to the youth policy, sport and culture was signed by the Ministers of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov and Iraq, Jasim Muhammad on 27 September in Baku.

The document envisages joint measures to solve the unemployment problem amongst young people, develop co-operation in the sphere of education of youth and sport.

“The problems of young people are similar in all countries and our task is to help their solution through joint efforts,” Mohammad said at the meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart.

He said that for many years the youth of the two countries lived under one arty ideology and were not free. “Today both countries are independent and our young people have all possibilities to be developed,” the Minister said.

The Minister of Youth and Sport of Iraq arrived in Azerbaijan to attend the World Youth Employment Summit, which took place on 24-27 September in the capital of Azerbaijan. 

[Trend News Agency]

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SPAIN

EU- public consultation on the future of youth policy

Madrid, Sept 22- STRATEGIC choices for young Europeans is the official name for the EU- public consultation on the future of youth policy launched on the 22nd of september.

The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on how the EU's youth policy should develop in the future. This year, the EU's Youth policy is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and this consultation will help the Commission to evaluate the achievements of European cooperation on youth policy since 2000. In the months to come, it will also lead to definition of fresh objectives for the next decade.

The consultation seeks to answer questions about the main challenges or opportunities which will have the most direct impact on young people. The questionnaire will cover issues regarding education and informal learning, employment, discrimination, social integration and voluntary activities of young people. The results of the consultation will be taken on board by the European policymakers in order to prepare concrete measures to help young people integrate into society, find work, improve their general well-being and get involved in society as citizens.

[Euroalert.net]

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NETHERLANDS

Online Probe Into EU Youth Policy Launched

Brussels, Sept. 22 - THE European Union's executive body on Monday launched an online consultation process to find out what kind of youth policy it needs to conduct in the future.

The European Commission said its public consultation will help it evaluate the achievements of European cooperation on youth policy since 2000. It will also lead to definition of fresh objectives for the next decade, it said.

The questionnaire will cover issues regarding education and informal learning, employment, discrimination, social integration and voluntary activities of young people.

The results of the consultation will be taken on board by the European policymakers, the commission said, in order to prepare concrete measures to help young people integrate into society, find work, improve their general well-being and get involved in society as citizens.

The consultation is addressed both to individuals and organisations which are interested in the future of young people in the EU 27, in other countries participating to the programme - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein - , in the candidate countries - Turkey, Croatia - , as well as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

[EUX.TV]

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SOUTH AFRICA

ANCYL: Umsobomvu, commission to merge

Johannesburg, Sept. 29 - THE Umsobomvu Youth Fund is not in financial crisis, says the ANC Youth League. The fund, which seeks to promote youth entrepreneurship, failed to secure the R400 million it had requested from the national Treasury for the 2008/09 financial year.

Instead, the Treasury allocated only R5m to the UYF, which would force the organisation to stop operating at the end of the year.

Floyd Shivambu, ANCYL spokesperson, said the UYF would be merging with the National Youth Commission, to form a new organisation, the National Youth Development Agency.

This, said Shivambu, was a resolution taken at the ANC’s national conference in Polokwane last December.

“The new structure will be dealing more with policy advocacy on youth issues, increasing economic participation of young people. So basically it is not a crisis because the UYF will be phasing out in due course,” said Shivambu.

Since it was created by government in 2001 the UYF has financed youth projects to the value of R952m.

Funds amounting to R474m were invested in small and medium-sized businesses while R40.4m was loaned to micro enterprises and co-operatives.

According to Thoraya Pandy, a spokesperson for the national Treasury, one of the reasons which might have caused this funding gap is that priorities have to be drawn up when allocating funds.

“There are a lot of departments which made it clear that they need more funds to execute other projects.

“But we also made them aware of the priorities that govern allocations of the amount of money available in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

“It is also important to note that the Budget is a collective Cabinet statement and not a national Treasury decision.”

[Daily Dispatch Online]

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