International Youth Day

“The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity.”- Benjamin Disraeli

Jamaica has had a National Youth Policy since 1994. The Policy was last revised in 2017.  The National Youth Policy establishes a framework within which youth can be supported to pursue and achieve their goals.  The youth of Jamaica are ambitious. However, at times a lack of financial resources prevents or slows the realization of such personal goals.  The Policy outlines and explores areas for action, and indicates six priority areas. These areas are education and training, health and well-being, employment and entrepreneurship, youth participation, social inclusion and reintegration, and institutional and youth sector arrangements. It is expected that by 2030, Jamaica will become “The place of choice to live, work, do business and raise families.” Jamaica’s national youth policy is grounded in six principles. Goal 1 speaks to improving access to quality secondary and tertiary education as well as vocational training opportunities. Goal 2 addresses access to sexual, reproductive and mental health care services among the youth cohort. Goal 3 addresses decent employment and entrepreneurial activities.  Goal 4 speaks to maximizing youth participation in national economic and political decision making. Goal 5 targets at-risk and vulnerable youths. Goal 6 speaks to the professionalization and strengthening of the youth sector.  The United Nations International Youth Day is observed on August 12.   This year, the theme of International Youth Day is "Youth Engagement for Global Action." It highlights the importance and value of young people’s contributions and draws lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.  While many of us are youthful it is important to have a working definition of youth.  
The United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines ‘youth’, as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years, without prejudice to other definitions by Member States.  According to the Population Reference Bureau Jamaica’s population is estimated at 2.8 million; of that number more than 30 percent of the population are between the ages 10 to 24 years. 
Youth Participation
Over the years the youth in Jamaica have participated and benefited from various community and national engagements. It has become commonplace for many of the churches in Jamaica to have a youth ministry where the youth are exposed to the teachings of Christ.  Additionally, the youngsters also get an opportunity to take ownership of the worship experience whether on a Saturday or Sunday.  Jamaica's education system also has in place a system whereby students are an integral part in the governance of our schools. It is mandated by the Education Act to have a student representative on school boards at the secondary level.  There are also numerous youth clubs all across Jamaica where youth empowerment are part of the activities. On the national level there is also the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica. The National Youth Parliament of Jamaica (NYPJ) was started in November 2003 as a non-partisan initiative aimed at providing youth from across Jamaica with a forum to express their views, network and debate issues of concern in the House of Representatives. The Parliament has traditionally been hosted as part of the slate of activities for National Youth Month celebrations in Jamaica, with the most recent sitting being in November 2019.  The NYPJ is structured to provide an opportunity for youth to deepen their understanding of parliamentary democracy, while developing skills in research, policy formulation and analysis, advocacy, public speaking and communication.  The NYPJ involves a yearly programme of activities, to include, orientation, training, local and regional meetings, dialogue with Ministers and Opposition spokespersons, and provide avenues for youth inputs and consultation in policy and programme development. The National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) was established in 2000.  The NCYD is responsible for facilitating and coordinating youth related programmes and policies across the island to ensure a well structured approach to youth development. 
According to the United Nations, young people’s ideas, perspectives, skills, and strengths are integrated into the design and delivery of programs, strategies, policies, funding mechanisms and organizations that affect their lives and their communities, countries, and world.  Youth is time for advocacy and social engagement not only in community life but also at the national level.  A society which refuses to engage the youth cannot progress.  It is imperative that the Jamaican society pays sufficient attention and allocate the necessary resources to equip the youth of today.  It is only by ensuring that our youth are adequately prepared to take over the reins of leadership that a society can speak about having sustainable development.  The country’s future is a bright as the investments made in our youth.  In the words of Aristotle, good habits formed at youth make all the difference.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com

@WayneCamo

©
#InternationalYouthDay #Jamaica