by Sasha Pei-Silovo – EM TV Online
The first Global Youth Forum on Youth Policies is being staged in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region.
There are two participants from PNG, Executive Director of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Dianne Kambanei as a panellist and Christine Giwe, a student who travelled to the forum as an observer. Christine has been involved with the youth commission and has represented Papua New Guinea at international forums, such as the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Sri Lanka .Christine applied under the open call, where 4000 people from around the world applied and only 200 were selected to attend as observers; Christine was fortunate enough to be selected as one.
Dianne was grateful to have been nominated by the UNDP office in PNG and supported by PNG’s Youth Commissioner, Norit Luio and the Youth Commission.
The global forum emerged from the need for a physical platform for stakeholders of youth policies around the world to discuss and respond to key elements on developing guiding principles for youth policy development.
The Forum is being attended by over 700 youth policy practitioners, who will collectively provide a new momentum to evidence-based, inclusive, participatory and effective youth policies.
Dianne Kambanei addressed the forum in the social inclusion panel on Tuesday, day one of the forum. She spoke on the need for young people to be included in policy formulation and evaluation, and the issues young people face, making reference to the commonwealth youth index where PNG is ranked 120 out of 170 nations.
In an email to EM TV Online, Kambanei outlined the forum’s program and also expressed great disappointment in the Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development, Delilah Gore for not being present at the Global Youth Forum on Youth Policies.
“It has been one incredible first day at the first global forum on youth policies.160 countries were present with their Youth Ministers and senior delegates representing their nation.
“I am saddened by the absence of the minister in charge of the youth ministry or any senior government official present . Youth policy matters when 60 percent of our population are young people aged 25 years and younger.The lack of participation at this first of its kind forum on youth policies suggest to me that youth policy is not a priority for our government .
“The youth policy 2007-2017 has not been implemented at all and is up for review next year .Our government needs to realise that there is economic value that can be measurable if it invests in its young people.
“I would like to stress that I am really disappointed that the minister for youth is not here and neither is there anyone from her ministry for youth it’s extremely disappointing if youth and youth policies mattered to our government they should have sent someone here. There are 110 ministers of youths and senior government officials here and sadly it’s just me and Christina from PNG”, she stated.
The Global Youth Forum on Youth Policies is convened by the United Nation’s Secretary Envoy on Youth, with UNDP, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the host country – hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the framework of Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
The forum aims at addressing key objectives and related outcomes, and to collectively develop guiding principles for integrated youth policy development. There are over 700 participants from 160 countries taking part; bringing together youth policy practitioners, development experts, researchers, youth experts, government ministers, senior government officials, among others.
The host city, Baku is located 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world located below sea level. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula which flows into the Caspian Sea.
