Summary: Youth Forum Preparatory Session on Peace

Small Group Discussion: Relationships between governmental and non-governmental institutions

1. What youth means: Youth as state of mind; young are those who look forward, middle aged those who look around them, old those who look behind.
2. Einstein spoke of a need for Global spirituality and a World Youth Parliament (democratic institution that would allow for participation of young people in decision making) for future.
3. What happens when youth participate in government?

   a. Youth Councils at national and regional levels: comprised of various youth organizations, youth councils are a means of representing youth’s interest by respective government, and of potentially influencing decision making at all levels.
   (However, not all countries have Youth Councils. Notable exceptions are Brazil, Canada, and United States.) Moreover, when governments designate youth delegates, there is often a risk that the youth are not representing their own interests, but rather that of the government that they are representing.

   b. Some Youth movements:
   World Assembly of Youth, Forum for Latin American Youth, Caribbean Youth Federation, Pan-African Youth Movement, African Youth Network, Arab Youth Council, European Youth Forum (most well-organized and well-endowed).
   

4. Lack of cooperation between Youth organizations.
5. Responsibility of youth to lobby governments.
6. Many young people feel discouraged, due to unemployment, lack of direction (example of Georgia). Youth initiatives can be successful in explaining principles of democracy, informing young people about their rights, thus providing people with a greater sense of purpose and motivation.
7. When young people are given opportunity to participate in government, the results of their work are often not taken into account. (Swiss example, amending Constitution of Canton de Vaud, results of one year of youth participation totally neglected.)
8. Many young people seek alternative options to influence policies and get involved at the non-governmental level. Young people often feel disconnected from their respective governments, feel that governments do not meet their expectations or demands. As a result, one can observe the creation of more and more Youth associations and movements.
9. International financial institutions need to be democratized, greater transparency is needed in all international institutions, thus allowing a greater youth participation and lessening sense of disconnectedness.
10. There is a need for further creation of networks and alliances between NGOs and associations.
11. Global problems need global solutions: think globally, act locally.
12. A new generation of politics is necessary.
13. There is a need for youth participation in all international fora.
14. People can become involved through organizations such as the Global Campaign for Peace Education, INIYA (indigenous and non-indigenous youth alliance), Interfaith Youth Core, Resource Generation, www.youthlink.org, www.youthmovements.org.

Presenters' Documents Available

10.04_wittkamper_jonah.doc (26 K)

Click here for all available presenters' documents
Click here for all available summaries

Please read about the summaries