Congress for common problems
The rather unlikely friendship between two youth groups-one Sri Lankan, the other Mexican have led to a discovery of similarities.
A few weeks ago International Youth Day 2013 was celebrated with the establishment of the ‘Federation of SUNFO Global Youth Forums’ by SUNFO (Sri Lanka – United Nations Friendship Organisation) Youth Congress, which aims to promote cooperation among different states in finding solutions to common problems. The organisation was established in Sri Lanka in 1999 with the hope of collaborating with youth of other countries.
Sri Lanka - Mexico forum members
As it turns out, the youth in Mexico and Sri Lanka share some common issues. “Both countries have similar climate change and youth drug and alcohol abuse problems,” says Sudarsha De Silva. “There’s a lot of scope for cooperation in going some way to solve these problems.”
Fifteen global youth forums were established on youth day to work with countries including Malaysia, Japan, United Kingdom, Maldives, India, Bangladesh, New-Zealand, Qatar, Australia, Germany and Mexico.
The Mexican team is managed by Sudarsha, accompanied by Sajith Wijesuriya, Sinduja Jayarathne, Chapa Perera, Buddhika Gamage and Nirmaleenee Abeysooriya as members. Sudarsha is the Youth Focal point for the Mexico Forum and hopes that this platform would provide more opportunities for young people in both countries to get involved and work together towards empowerment.
The Sri Lanka – Mexico forum will implement a number of projects in the next year providing a broader understanding of cultural events, environment programmes and other activities.
“Our main objective is to obtain the involvement of the youth in Sri Lanka and youth in Mexico to exchange their cultural diversities and develop a connection between the two countries,” says Sinduja Jayarathna a member of the Sri Lanka – Mexico forum. The Sri Lanka forum in Mexico is managed by Rose Marin and Mariana Espinosa.
Forums in both countries will organise webinars and video conferences to connect with their international counterparts, and will also work with the consulate offices in both countries when implementing their programmes. “We hope to create a large youth network within Mexico and Sri Lanka to promote unity and friendship between young people of both countries,” says Sudarsha.
They’ll be working to raise awareness and participation within the country as well. The Mexico Forum hopes to implement programmes relating to climate change, water scarcity and environment issues in addition to educational programmes in schools on the harmful effects of drug and alcohol usage.
They’ll also be facilitating cultural activities to promote cultural diversity in both countries. The Mexico Forum eventually hopes to leave their legacy behind in the form of a framework that would continue post their tenure.
Trusty cynicism might question the effectiveness of the initiative-admittedly rather idealistic in today’s context-but the young members of the youth forum already have an answer for that. “The youth who are provided with the concept of non-violence will be the next generation of adults who will decide whether it’s important for mankind to engage in war or whether peace should be the driving force of development,” says Sudarsha.
“This is our task-the Federation of SUNFO Global Youth Forums throughout the world will convey the message of peace and unity through youth involvement and youth participation with these collaborative activities.”
To get involved email sunfogyforum@gmail.com for more details.
comments powered by Disqus