Member Experiences at UN Commission

The CSW 56 and the Centrality of Dignity to any Gender-Based Agenda

by Tukeni Obasi

This week, in the company of several members of the World Youth Alliance, I hopped on an important history train that had set out as far back as 1946. The fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), centered around the theme of rural women empowerment, brought key stakeholders to The United Nations Headquarters in New York to share their success and best practices in this field. Challenges were to be discussed, strategies were to be laid out and partnerships from across different sectors, countries and regions were to be forged. The session was opened by the former president of Chile and now Executive Director of UN Women- Michelle Bachelet.

Central to many of the panel discussions at this year’s session of the CSW has been the issue of sexual and reproductive rights as a means to counteract the forces of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). Panelists - including ministers and members of Parliament from countries across the world - spoke, among many other things, about the need to empower women and give them full control of their bodies. These discussions have been very rich, speaking to the psychological and immaterial shackles that prevent women from realizing their full potential. They touched on issues of body image, media and societal norms (concerning females), access to education, employment opportunities, quotas and the very important issue of political participation.

The discussions on bodily control and sexual rights spawned an offshoot debate about the sexualization of girls. This counter-session criticized the International Planned Parenthood Federation and several other organizations for their “sexualization of children”. More importantly, this offshoot panel criticized these bodies for campaigning for sexual freedoms at the expense of societal values and breaking down barriers of while keeping mum on the biological, social and psychological implications of indiscriminate and precocious sexual activity on young people. The movement called on families and CSOs to protect the innocence of children.

Of the issues being discussed at the CSW, I was especially concerned about the demonization of certain women through gender-based practices such as virginity testing. These practices, which purport to celebrate purity in girls, equate purity with dignity. Through name-calling and the use of profane words to label non-virgin women, these women (many of whom are victims of sexual violence) are unjustly demonized and punished. These practices make no attempt to bring perpetrators of violence to book and socialize people especially of the masculine gender into a culture of non-violence. The valorization of sexual decisions especially threatens the dignity of girls who either by their own decisions or through acts of rape have not pursued the path of abstinence. Such valorization should be strongly discouraged. All women regardless of their sexual or health status must be treated with respect and measures must be taken to ensure that they have access to full mental, psychological and physical healthcare.

As members of the World Youth Alliance, we prepared for the CSW by arming ourselves with the knowledge of the dignity of the human person. Through its advocacy efforts, the World Youth Alliance continues to lobby UN commissions and other international bodies to make the human person the centre of any international agenda. The implications of this knowledge are listed. First, it means that freedoms cannot be won at the expense of dignity. Sidestepping important issues of reproductive health, which includes proper and adequate maternal health in favor of a blanket reproductive rights policy is not the way to go. Reproductive health is especially undermined when it shows no commitment to these issues but jeopardizes the physical, mental and psychological health of women and negates the life of her unborn baby. Secondly, a biased focus on stop-gap measures of propping up gender quotas and expanding political and economic freedoms without any real socialization in schools and other establishments on the nature of the dignity of the human person and what that implies for relations with all people of the female sex will achieve only limited results. To get far, paradigms must be shifted and mentalities must be changed.

The struggle continues. As the panel goes into negotiations and resolutions in the last week of the conference, the world will be watching. It is our hope that delegates and the international civil society will be on their feet steering the agenda in the right course. The simultaneous expansion and streamlining of the Beijing Platform for Action leading to a more comprehensive approach with specific outcome objectives remains the dream. But it is a dream that can be achieved. As history has shown us time and time again, in the end, solidarity and human will are as potent as they are pertinent.

3RD NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT

The World Youth Alliance Africa held a successful national Youth Summit at the Ufungamano, Nairobi. The SUMMIT attracted more than 200 youth leaders

The theme for this year’s summit was Kenyan youth: A force for economic development and change.

The aim of this year’s summit was to educate the youth leaders on responsible citizenship, importance of life, peace and to engage on issue based dialogue on how we can move Kenya forward.

The third summit saw an introduction of the Inaugural Dignity and Solidarity Award. The award seeks to reward and encourage initiatives by individuals or corporate bodies that affirm the dignity of the human person or promote solidarity. The award will be an annual medal without monetary value. Members of the World youth alliance Africa nominate the winners. The 2012 winner is the Kenyans for Kenya initiative by Safaricom (A leading telecom company) which mobilized the power of the masses to affirm the dignity of the starving Kenyans in Northern Kenyan and created a sense of solidarity among the Kenyan people.

The third summit saw an introduction of the Inaugural Friendship Award. The award seeks to reward and recognize individuals or corporate bodies that have supported the Work of the World Youth Alliance Africa the 2012 winner was Mr. Oscar Beauttah, a renowned former BBC journalist who sits both at the International Board of World Youth Alliance and the regional advisory board.

The other Annual award is the Alumni Award. The award seeks to recognize former staff and interns who continue to promote World Youth Alliance ideals in their present engagements. The 2012 winner is Irene Nyambura Mwangi a former Regional Director who is currentently working with the truth and Justice Commission

WYAA MEMBERS SPREADING THE TRAINING

ACTION STORIES: WYAA is proud of Arthur Samai our member from Liberia who recently completed his TRACK A training and on his own volition has been sharing the training ideas with other members in and around Monrovia.The picture shows him at the Conqueror Pentecostal High School in Kakata Margibi county,Liberia which is 48 Miles from Monrovia.Three youths groups sent in representatives to participate in the Training process,and students from the school participated in the program too.

We encourage such selfless efforts of sharing knowledge and the solidarity of our members in helping one another develop new capacities.

3RD NATIONAL SUMMIT

The World Youth Alliance Africa invites youth leaders from across Kenya for the 3rd National Youth Summit on the 25^th of February 2012 at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.

The theme for this year’s summit is Kenyan youth: A force for economic development and change.

In the last election in Kenya, young people were used to cause mayhem, destroy property and kill fellow Kenyan’s by politicians. The aim of this year’s summit is to educate the youth leaders on responsible citizenship, importance of life, peace and to engage political leaders on issue based discussion on how we can move Kenya forward.

There will be a series of speeches, lectures from experts on matters of electioneering, good governance, peace and development and group discussions among the youth.

To confirm attendance contact Eddy Ombagi: eddie.wyaa@gmail.com or call World Youth Alliance Africa office on 020250 86 26.

All are welcome.

WYA Africa Director in West Africa

Obadias Ndaba, the WYAA regional director was in Ghana over the first week of December. Earlier in the week he talked to students at two Universities in Accra and met the deputy minister of youth and sports who pledged to support and liked the mission of World Youth Alliance. He also had a live interview on TV3 and Metro TV, one of Ghana’s most watched show 'Good Evening Ghana' for 15 minutes where he and our chapter rep responded to questions on WYA work and how young people get involved with us. The Ghana chapter held its first national summit on 3rd NovemberThe West Africa trip will see him visit two other active countries; Togo and Cameroon

Eastland Solidarity Soccer Championship

The World Youth Alliance Africa’s annual soccer tournament in Nairobi’s Eastland area kicked off on Saturday, October 29th, at the SOS grounds in Buru Buru with 16 teams battling for the championship.

The tournament, known as the Eastland Solidarity Championship, aims to bring young people from different slums in the area together for training in life skills and to expose the sporting talents among the youth.

The three winning teams of the tournament will take home trophies and cash rewards.

"At WYA, we believe that given chances, young people can be a force for good in any society through their talents and skills. Our aim next year is to have 32 teams so that we have more young people engaged in sports rather than idling, which is the leading cause of crime and drug abuse in the area," stated Hezbon Mogambi, WYAA Regional Director of Operations.

The final match will be held on the 19th of November 2011. For more information and pictureshttp://wya.net/regions/africa_current_events.html?catid=64

WYA Welcomes Baby 7 Billion

WYA Welcomes Baby 7 Billion

Welcome Baby 7 Billion

Welcome Baby 7 Billion

Last month the seven billionth child on earth was born. In fact thousands are born each second each with potential to contribute in their own unique way.
All Unique,All talented,all different.

the World Youth Alliance calls the civil society,governments and international institutions to invest in the human person,and work with us in building societies which foster economic and human flourishing.human capital is our most important resource, responsible stewardship is a necessary condition of sustainable economic development.The potential of the human person to generate wealth using knowledge, skills and creativity is unique and reflects an aspect of human dignity. Therefore, investing in the human person, in a climate of freedom and respect, leads to integral human development and economic growth.

Eastland Solidarity Soccer Championship

Today we feature one of the teams taking part in WYA'S EASTLAND SOLIDARITY SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP which began this weekend and will end on 19th Nov.

SHY – STADIUM HOMELESS YOUTH (REHAB PPROJECT)

Coach: Mr. Alex Mwangi

The team was started in the year 2011. The inspiration was borne from Alex, a City Council official who had a desire to help the street children who were living at the City Stadium Kiosks. He started SHY as a project and proceeded in opening other projects that could sustain the lives of the street children.

Unique to the group is the inculcation of sports, educational programmes and life skills training. A major boost is that the founder and coach is an experienced footballer having played for Sofapaka and KCB.

Among the players who have excelled include some who play for Makongeni FC and Local Government FC.

They hope to play for the premier league later.

He is confident of his team’s chances of bagging the World Youth Alliance cup but is putting more emphasis on experience rather than winning.

Africa Emerging Leaders Conference 2011

Kenya under the auspices of the World Youth Alliance Africa will be hosting a major continental youth conference from 17th- 18th November 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference brings together over 100 youth leaders from more than 15 African countries.

The Africa Emerging Leaders conference is an annual training platform by the World Youth Alliance Africa for its African members and African youth leaders. This year’s Theme is Population and Economics- Investing in the African Youth. A number of topics have been lined up that will address population and Economics related issues. It will feature group discussions, speeches and expert lectures from local and international speakers drawn from the private sector, civil society,goverment and the diplomatic community.

WYA At World Youth Day On iphone and ipod

Do you own an iPhone or iPod touch? Download the WYA at WYD 2011 app to know all the latest news while the World Youth Alliance is at World Youth Day! Search the Apple Store now or click the link below. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/world-youth-alliance-at-wyd/id440636964?mt=8

United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth: Occasion for World Youth Alliance to Shine

New York City, July 26, 2011) -- The World Youth Alliance (WYA) brought thirty young people from almost twenty countries to the United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth, held July 25 -26, 2011 at UN Headquarters in New York City. Many of the WYA members were accepted onto the official delegations of their countries. This made for a heightened experience for many of the WYA delegates, especially those who found themselves sitting on the floor of the UN General Assembly amongst heads of state from all over the world. For Bernadette, from France, one short sentence summed it up: “This is awesome.” WYA welcomed the opportunity to present the voices of young people by promoting dignity, the family and authentic development.

WYA co-sponsored a side event at the meeting on July 26th called “Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development” with the Bahá’í International Community and attended by over forty participants. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, a WYA member from Nigeria, delivered a speech at the event, outlining his vision of sustainable youth development. Iyinoluwa pointed to the “context” in which sustainable development takes place, which is always “families and communities” first, and not governments. He acknowledged that the outcome document of the HLMY contains a paragraph which states that the “primary responsibility for youth development lies with the States,” and that this is contrary to what we know about authentic development. The primary responsibility for youth development falls to families and communities. WYA thanks and commends UN delegations that included its recommendations and the language of families in their addresses to the General Assembly on Tuesday July 26th.

For World Youth Alliance, the HLMY presented an opportunity to highlight the best of what young people have to offer at the international institutions. WYA delegates drafted newsletters, statements on the final outcome document and contributed to the “youth voice” at the UN, a voice which is too often oriented around guaranteeing “sexual and reproductive rights” rather than focusing on the real needs of young people in terms of development, like nutrition, education, basic healthcare, sanitation, decent work and a vibrant culture.

Recognizing the importance of the arts and culture in the lives of young people, WYA also hosted an evening event called “Art Speaks: A Gateway to Understanding the Human Person”, which highlighted young musicians, actors, filmmakers, and sculptors. 130 WYA members, friends and delegates joined us at WYA Headquarters to enjoy the evening of performances and visual art exhibits.

For more information:
Rebecca Marchinda, WYA Director of Advocacy
Email: becky@wya.net Phone: +1 212 585 0757 Website: www.wya.net

Working Towards Dialogue and Mutual Understanding Among Youth as Agents of Development, Social Inclusion, Tolerance and Peace

This year’s High Level Meeting on Youth, concluding the UN International Year of Youth, will be dedicated to Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. The United Nations has invited a limited number of youth delegates to dialogue on issues they are facing today, so as to foster “mutual understanding,” among youth but also between authorities and youth. The World Youth Alliance and its members also prepared for the meeting and ensured that the voice of the world’s young people would be heard by representatives of Member States and the Secretariat of the U.N. In order to accomplish this, we proposed a series of amendments to the outcome document, and I was in charge of doing the initial analysis and creating an outline of our proposals.

In preparation for this meeting, the UN Secretariat issued a draft outcome document that Member States were invited to amend and develop. This document heavily drew upon the World Programme of Action on Youth (WPAY), drafted and signed by the General Assembly in 1995. But it also refers to other international texts–including the Millennium Development Goals. Draft amendments were proposed, accepted, altered or refused; paragraphs were deleted and moved; new issues were added. All in all, keeping a clear head while following this process and drafting our own amendments and proposals has been challenging.

There are ten priority areas addressed by the international community in the WPAY. These are all reflected in the final outcome document of this week’s High Level Meeting. The title of the document implies that the HLMY is about dialogue and mutual understanding. However, besides a few introductory paragraphs, only Paragraphs 18 and 26 specifically mention the official theme of the conference. The following title would have better mirrored the substance of the draft: “Involving youth with a view to more effective and better focused development.” The current draft combines the MDGs with the WPAY and focuses mostly on development issues: fostering “development,” enabling “youth development” and implementing the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, the World Youth Alliance has strong hopes that young people from developing countries will be well-represented.

The World Alliance proposed three amendments to the draft outcome. The first emphasized respect for the dignity of the human person as the foundational principle underlying human rights. The second stressed the special vulnerability of young people to the multiple challenges that the world at large faces. The third added a dimension that is too often forgotten: the family plays a very important role of the life of all young people, since it is the first setting in which a youth learns how to dialogue, understand and compromise with the persons closest to him.

Personally, I would have added much more: An emphasis on the best interests of youth, a more pronounced acknowledgment of the role men and boys play in respecting women and fostering gender equality, an encouragement to strengthen policies supporting family unity as a measure to prevent crime, a stated need for policies supporting the integral development of each person in order to bring about “youth development.” I trust, however, that despite the absence of these issues in the final document, representatives of States will keep them in mind by implementing the outcome according to the principle of subsidiarity. In the end, the main challenge of my work on amendments was the likelihood that with so many proposals, none of them would make their way into the next draft. I just had to restrain myself and keep to the most essential ones. I didn’t realize how much reading would have to be done just to analyze a UN outcome document, but I enjoyed every minute and gladly accepted the challenge.

- Bernadette
WYA Member, France
Age 29






A Call to Action!
Letters from World Youth Alliance members in Saint Lucia
Dear delegate,

Quality education is the gateway to the development of our world in order to impact our community; we must learn to harvest the infinite reserves of the human mind. Yet, millions of youth from around the world are constantly denied opportunities of self-awareness and realization. Human dignity is denied when education is withheld. In countless instances where education is provided it serves not necessarily to encourage brilliance and ingenuity of thoughts, but rather to dampen creativity and force conformity. Education must inspire us to grow and change to have the audacity to create.

To solve this issue the developing world must adapt comprehensive policies which recognize both the human and strategic importance of education. True education should be filled with both compassion and information. Teachers should receive adequate training so as to inspire their students. Students must be supplied with relevant and advanced materials which encourage them not only to accept conventional teaching, but also to discover the world around them. Measures should be implemented to build student confidence in order to produce emotionally intelligent and balanced world citizens. Inadequacies in teaching compromise both student self-esteem and ability to learn. We in the developing world grow weary of waiting. It is the hour for change.

Sincerely,
Jarnickae
Age 16
Saint Lucia
St. Mary’s College

Dear delegate,

I am an eighteen year old, and I have written this letter in hopes that some of the issues facing Saint Lucian youth may be alleviated. I believe that my homeland is blessed with many beautiful young persons, some of whom are not granted the necessary opportunities to nurture their God-given talents. I say this because most of the crimes committed in my country are committed by young persons between the ages of fifteen to thirty. Most of these individuals lack opportunities–either for education or opportunities which stimulate good impulses for instance, the importance of being a good citizen. I believe there should also be forums and development programmes on parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and suffering from neglect from parents, and the home indeed is where it all starts.

I believe that young persons with so much energy to spend need to be channeled in the right direction. We need development programmes, more education opportunities, mentors, counselors. Young persons need help and guidance. We need to know that there is still hope despite any predicament, be it poverty, teenage pregnancy or parental neglect.

People in Saint Lucia are very critical of Saint Lucian youth because of all the crimes. We are considered to be lazy and fail in comparison to the generations that have gone before us, or so the adults say. Regardless, I do admit that it would be an amazing feeling to have a sense of security restored when walking the streets.

Sincerely,
Latonia
Age 18
Saint Lucia
Sir Arthur Lew Community College

The Value of Family Promotion in Protecting the Intrinsic Dignity of the Human Person

The World Youth Alliance welcomes the General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Youth represent a significant proportion of the world and are therefore not only the future, but also the present. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that educating and empowering youth is integral to the improvement of social and economic conditions and the well-being and livelihood of future generations. The World Youth Alliance also recognizes that all persons have intrinsic dignity; it is only through respecting this dignity that the ideals of peace, freedom, justice, tolerance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, solidarity and development can be effectively achieved.

With this as our foundation, it is clear that authentic human development begins with investment in the human person. This needs to ensure that the person is placed in the right conditions and environment to foster his well-being, fulfillment and productivity. Such investment must begin with the family, which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares is the “fundamental unit of society.”

The family promotes a stable environment that is necessary for the person to flourish. Children with supportive parents are more likely to be engaged with their school education at home and receive help from their parents if faced with difficulties. Also, with the support of the family, children are encouraged to strongly value their education and are often guided to pursue post-secondary education. With a supportive family, an attitude of positive optimism and future ambition is cultivated. Indeed, the family encourages development of skills and concepts necessary for social change. For instance, the family plays an invaluable role in the child’s development of language and speech and the nurturing of cognitive abilities. This is consistent with the established relationship between language and power and the fact that language is fundamental to human agency and social transformation.

Discrimination, isolation and poverty are integrally linked. When the person is isolated from her family she is more susceptible to discrimination due to the associated vulnerability that comes with the absence of support and solidarity. The UN Committee on Educational, Social and Cultural Rights has correctly recognized that poverty is often caused by people having no access to existing resources because of who they are, what they believe or where they live. Especially in developing countries, belonging to a family provides more locus standi, and allows for easier integration into the wider community.

Statistics have shown a clear and consistent relationship between the ideal of united families and economic buoyancy. For instance, when compared to single adults, married adults have a significantly higher average household income. Likewise children of married parents in comparison to those of unmarried parents have been found to do better economically. The breakdown of the family unit goes against the world’s aspirations for forward strides to be made in social and economic matters. Research has shown that divorced adults, especially women, experience greater economic hardship.

Promoting the family is essential to providing the right conditions for the human person to develop and flourish. The simple and yet integral value of family promotion is often overlooked in international documents. Promoting the family would have far-reaching positive effects on education and empowerment of the human person. It will also work to negate the possibilities of discrimination and thus enhance dialogue and mutual understanding as well as increase the integration of youth within society at large. Strong family units lead to the development of strong young men and women, empowered and equipped to positively contribute to our world, and to ensure the dignity of every person is recognized. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that dignity is something shared by all human persons and therefore there must be solidarity in recognizing this immutable fact. The essence of family promotion is to promote solidarity in its most fundamental form.

A Call to Action!

Letters from World Youth Alliance members in Saint Lucia

Dear delegate, Quality education is the gateway to the development of our world in order to impact our community; we must learn to harvest the infinite reserves of the human mind. Yet, millions of youth from around the work are constantly denied opportunities of self-awareness and realization. Human dignity is denied when education is withheld. In countless instances where education is provided it serves not necessarily to encourage brilliance and ingenuity of thoughts, but rather to dampen creativity and force conformity. Education must inspire us to grow and change to have the audacity to create. To solve this issue the developing world must adapt comprehensive policies which recognize both the human and strategic importance of education. True education should be filled with both compassion and information. Teachers should receive adequate training so as to inspire their students. Students must be supplied with relevant and advanced materials which encourage them not only to accept conventional teaching, but also to discover the world around them. Measures should be implemented to build student confidence in order to produce emotionally intelligent and balanced world citizens. Inadequacies in teaching compromise both student self-esteem and ability to learn. We in the developing world grow weary of waiting. It is the hour for change. Sincerely, Jarnickae Age 16 Saint Lucia St Mary’s College

Dear delegate, I am an eighteen year old, and I have written this letter in hopes that some of the issues facing Saint Lucian youth may be alleviated. I believe that my homeland is blessed with many beautiful young persons, some of whom are not granted the necessary opportunities to nurture their God-given talents. I say this because most of the crimes committed in my country are committed by young persons between the ages of fifteen to thirty. Most of these individuals lack opportunities–either for education or opportunities which stimulate good impulses for instance, the importance of being a good citizen. I believe there should also be forums and development programmes on parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and suffering from neglect from parents and the home, indeed is where it all starts. I believe that young persons with so much energy to spend need to be channeled in the right direction. We need development programmes, more education opportunities, mentors, counselors. Young persons need help and guidance. We need to know that there is still hope despite any predicament, be it poverty, teenage pregnancy or parental neglect. People in St Lucia are very critical of St Lucian youth because of all the crimes. We are considered to be lazy and fail in comparison to the generations that have gone before us, or so the adults say. Regardless, I do admit that it would be an amazing feeling to have a sense of security restored when walking the streets. Sincerely, Latonia Age 18 Saint Lucia Sir Arthur Lew Community College

You’re invited to join us at…

Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development

A High Level Meeting on Youth side event sponsored by the Bahá’í International Community United Nations Office, Alas de Rio, and the World Youth Alliance.

Tuesday, July 26^th from 1:15-2:45pm ~ 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120 ~ RSVP: bic-nyc@bic.org

ART SPEAKS

Art Speaks will celebrate the conclusion of the High Level Meeting on Youth with an evening of performances by professional actors and musicians, a photography and sculpture exhibit, short film screenings, and testimonials by young delegates and participants from the High Level Meeting on Youth.

Tuesday, July 26^th from 7-9pm ~ World Youth Alliance Headquarters ~ FREE ADMISSION

228 East 71st Street, New York, NY / www.wya.net