My essay for e-summit.
The value of youth participation is now recognized at levels ranging from the local community to the international arena. However, recognition is not the same as action, and progress in the area of practical implementation has been slow. Even in those countries that have achieved the most, participation remains at low levels and insufficiently integrated into all areas of young people’s lives.
Many organizations are still unconvinced that youth can play a leading or supportive role in helping them achieve their programme goals. Initiatives may be limited to seeking the views of young people on particular issues; their involvement in decision-making is rarely considered. Young people therefore remain uninformed about most democratic processes. Token participation is meaningless, as it does not empower young people to influence outcomes and achieve real change. The repetitive and widespread failure of the adult world to act in ways that promote the welfare of young people is well documented. Efforts must be made to listen to youth and engage them in the process of strengthening participatory democracy. Their involvement can lead to better decisions and outcomes. Participation promotes the well-being and development of young people, strengthens their commitment to and understanding of human rights and democracy, and provides them a form of protection; it also allows them to take part in decision-making processes. It is by questioning; expressing their views and having their opinions taken seriously that young people develop skills, build competencies, acquire confidence and form aspirations. It is a virtuous circle. The more opportunities a young person has for meaningful participation, the more experienced and competent he or she becomes. This allows more effective participation, which in turn enhances development.
Youth participation is an essential strategy for ensuring young people’s optimal development and for achieving wider development goals for society. The progress made to date in promoting participation should be sustained and enhanced. Youth participation must become an integral component of, local, national and international policies for youth, and should provide the framework for decisions and actions that affect the daily lives of children and young people. Only then will the traditional approaches towards youth begin to evolve and the oft-stated commitment to their participation begins to have meaning. The approach must promote respect for them as social actors, as agents in their own lives, and as citizens of their own societies.
. Young people have various opportunities to become active in processes as varied as the following:
• Research. Many examples exist of young people being provided with training as researchers and then undertaking independent investigations focusing on issues of direct concern to them.
• Programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation: young people share their views and experiences to help design and implement programmes that target their specific needs; by playing a key role in monitoring and evaluation, youth are able to help the programme meet its objectives and adjust to changing circumstances as necessary.
• Peer support, representation and advocacy. Young people are increasingly being provided with opportunities to elect or be elected by their own peers to serve as advocates, working with adult institutions to lobby for greater respect for their rights.
• Policy analysis and development. Many initiatives involve young people in reviewing existing legislation and policies from the perspective of their own experience.
• Participation in and use of the media. Young people have traditionally been excluded from active participation in the media, but in many countries they are receiving training as youth journalists, running their own radio programmes, developing video tools for the promotion of rights, and publishing journals and newsletters.
• Conference participation. Young people have participated in local, national and international conferences as organizers, speakers, delegates and reporters, often with significant impact on the outcomes of such events.
• Youth councils and parliaments. In a number of countries, young people have participated in the development of democratic political structures that parallel those of the adult world and provide opportunities to inform and influence key economic, social and political agendas.
It is important that young people are not pushed into replicating traditional adult models for democratic participation but are equipped to create new collaborative approaches. It is also important that youth-led organizations observe the principles of transparency, accountability, on-discrimination and mutual respect.
Off for a new finish line
A new relationship can be so invigorating & filled with curiosity ,I couldn't imagine.The basic difference comes in the way you take your life & people involved with you.I never felt so comfortable & at ease with everyone.I am loving this feeling.
Nirvana in Mocha
Rarely do you appreciate the fact that we grow older & older each day. How you started cycling without your dad standing behind. How you started having rolls in canteen instead of mom’s paranthas. How you started borrowing your dad’s car instead of asking for him to drop.
I am talking about the moment when my friend from our group got placed. As he was the first one to achieve the milestone, we all decided that it must be celebrated in the grandest way possible. We pondered over many ideas & contemplated many of them. At the end of rigorous thinking, we all settled to the idea of having drinks in castle9@CP and then going to famous hookah joint “Mocha”
Castle9@CP is the normal bar where you can appreciate the pleasure of a glass of vodka sitting in the heart of
Now the best thing about hookah is that it hardly leaves you with any guilt and thus is best for people like me. Another attraction is the bold & beautiful girls there invigorating the whole environment. The moment you enter, it seems like we are up to some good deed & should start as soon as possible. In my personal opinion the Mocha@GK2 is much better than at Defcol or galleria market. The opened porch area there gives a totally different surrounding. Coming back to the scene, we all sat down occupying the veranda seats & waited for the menu. Throwing my eye balls on each & every flavor, my eyes stuck to one name “nirvana”, though I am neither spiritual nor a great fan of band “nirvana” but somehow I sensed an urge to have nirvana. So in accord of the whole group, we ordered nirvana. The hookah lasted hardly for half an hour but in the meanwhile I thought of this blog, about my friends ,about my college, my future & one more thing- how in my childhood I said one day to my dad “dad, don’t smoke, don’t you know its injurious for your health.”
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