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December 1, 2011, a day recognized world wide as World AIDS Day, saw youth and policy-makers at the 2011 International Conference on Family Planning (in Dakar, Sengal) gathered for an event titled "Realizing Promise: A dialogue between policy makers and youth."
This event essentially was geared towards provided a space for meaningful discussions between young people and policy makers on issues related to adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR). The discussions were led by the nine panellists three of whom were youth who were voted by all the young people who attended a pre-conference workshop hosted by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) to represent the youth voice. The other 6 panellist were all policy makers representing different ministires and organizations including Kenya's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Tanzania, USAID and UNFPA. As moderator for the session I used the opportunity during my opening remarks to stress the need and importance of partnerships as we move forward...
In sum the event provided a great platform for the discussion of several key areas. The youth statement which had been prepared and presented at this event highlighted several issues including the need for you engagement and participation in decision making, ensuring youth have access to information and services and support for youth led programs.
Essentially we all agreed that there is a need for greater collaboration between youth and decision makers as we move forward to advance adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Coming out of the session:
Some strategies/ best practices that we should employ as continue to work in field of AYSRHR that were highlighted are:
1. Continous engagement of adolescent and youth in the design, implementaion, monitoring and evaluation of AYSRHR programs.
2. Set funding for youth programs.
3. Provision of leadership training for youth.
Additional areas for further exploration and development that were noted include:
1. the developmwent of youth policies, national youth councils.
2. further exploration of how to reach youth who are most in need/ marginalized youth.
3. How to encourage greater civil society participation.
4. How to change the mindset of persons who seek to undermind our progess.
As we move forward from this event and from the staging of the conference I must highlight that each and everyone of us has responsibilties and roles to play in realizing the promise.
Learn, Engage, Change!!!
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