— for Youth Advocacy Committee, says social activist

By Navendra Seoraj
YOUTH participation in governance has been a mantra touted by successive governments over the years, and though some may argue that there has been more rhetoric than action, newly elected President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has repeated this commitment and has started work to fulfil it.
Dr. Ali, in a show of his commitment, had sworn in 19 members of Cabinet, comprising a mixture of youthful and well experienced individuals, who have all expressed that they are eager to bring about positive change in Guyana.

This commitment was further extended when the President announced that he will be establishing a Youth Advisory Committee in the coming weeks. He promised that the committee will reflect the country’s rich religious and ethnic diversity.

“The future is theirs; it is right that, even now, they should help to shape it,” said Dr. Ali during his inaugural speech.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), youth represents one-third of the world population and over 85 per cent of them live in developing countries. In many places, they represent more than 30 per cent of the population (OECD, 2018), as is the case with Guyana, where approximately 54 per cent of the population are youth.

Considering Guyana’s demographic construct, it is imperative that youth be included in various aspects of governance.
To this end, Social Activist, Derwayne Wills said the idea of a Youth Advisory Committee is a positive step, giving life to Article 13 of Guyana’s Constitution which identifies the main role of the political system in promoting an inclusive democracy by creating opportunities for groups, like youth, to positively engage in decision-making processes of the country, especially decisions that affect their well-being.
Article 13 highlights a process of governance that must be created by central, regional and local governments, which all make up the political system, and the National Assembly.

In an effort to effect change in the existing system and promote youth participation, the previous administration had drafted a National Youth Policy, but discussions around the policy had “dried up” after a while.

The four-year (2017-2020) policy document had set out a wide-reaching framework of plans, including the improvement of the social, emotional and cultural skills of young people; the encouragement of a productive and enterprising youth workforce; the development of quality leadership and market-oriented skills; the encouragement of leadership, participation and representation and the promotion of good health; and security and safety of youths across Guyana.

COMATOSE STATE

“High on the agenda for the Youth Advisory Committee and the Minister (Minister of Culture Youth and Sport) would be the finalisation of Guyana’s National Youth Policy which, bizarrely, remains in a state of comatose despite consultations many years ago,” said Wills.
The document was taken to the National Assembly already, debated on and approved by majority. There was nothing since, said the social activist, adding that the youth policy is the social contract between leaders and youth, which form a very large demographic group that remains on the margins of social, economic and political power.
“Actually, the youth policy itself has a shelf-life of approximately four years. The policy expired this year. Youth as a demographic group is always changing and we are creating more space for inclusion every day.

“What must happen now is a revisiting of the youth policy in full to see if the provisions made four years ago are still relevant today,” Wills advised.
Once that revision is completed through a consultative process involving young people from across Guyana, including their representative groups, an action plan must be created to give life to the youth policy.

He believes there should be specific outcomes, indicators and activities that can be monitored so that when the youth policy is revised again in four years, stakeholders can look to see what worked, what did not work, what can be kept, what must be taken away and what must be revised.
Specifically, on the composition of the Youth Advisory Committee, Wills said the process for appointment should be publicly advertised and open to all, with special considerations and incentives for persons from groups that are usually underrepresented in these consultative processes, for different reasons. There is no room for exclusion here, said the activist.

“My advice to the government is to give the youth the respect that is owed to them as active, interested citizens of this country,” Wills advised.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. echoed the sentiments of Wills, noting that while the committee will fall directly under President Ali, it is still a welcome initiative, which will promote youth participation in governance.

“Having that direct line of youth policy engagement to the leader of the country in the form of the president is important for any president, especially our president who knows the importance of young people,” said Minister Ramson, adding that this is evidenced by the recent appointments to Cabinet.
He believes the committee is an excellent idea, and shows how important young people are to the incumbent.