Meeting of minds
Exactly a month from now, on May 6 to be precise, almost 1500 foreign and local delegates will gather at the Magampura International Convention Hall in Hambantota for the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Youth (WCY) 2014. Over 2 years in the making, the conference is organized locally by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Sri Lanka.
Senel (L), Naushalya(C) Ishan (R) Pics by Susantha Liyanawatte
What is WCY?
Themed under ‘Mainstreaming Youth in the Post 2015 Development Agenda’, the conference is expected to bring together 1500 participants; half of them young people aged 18 to 29. The aim of the conference is to provide a platform for both young people and senior level decision makers to meet, says Senel Wanniarachchi, a member of the task force charged with consultation for the event. “Very few events facilitate both groups to meet and discuss young people, which is why this conference is one of the most important youth events globally.”
The International Youth Task Force
The International Youth Task Force (IYTF) was appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development of Sri Lanka to advise the Government of Sri Lanka during the preparatory process for the conference. The IYTF comprises 20 young people: 10 of whom are young leaders from around the world representing established international youth-led and youth-serving organizations, and 10 young leaders from Sri Lanka.
Who takes part, and why?
Of the 1500 participants, there will be two official youth delegates selected by each government of the 201 countries with confirmed attendance. In addition 350 youth delegates will come from marginalised backgrounds, making the conference one of the most well represented youth events at the global level. “We’re keen to be a voice for all young people across the globe,” says Ishan Jalil, who sits on the committee as a consultant. 100 Sri Lankan youth and experts on the areas being discussed, in addition to government, non-profit and private sector representatives will also be present.
What will happen over the conference?
The actual conference takes place May 7-9 at the BMICH. Over the three days, participants will delve into seven foundation areas and seven thematic areas (14 in total) segmented under ‘Looking Back’, ‘What We Want’ and ‘Taking Action’. This will be supplemented by workshops, side events and parallel events and the conference will end with a final drafting and passing of the Colombo Declaration on Youth.
What will be the outcome?
‘The Colombo Declaration on Youth’, of which a Zero Draft has already been presented. The declaration is the outcome document of the conference-this will be taken to the 69th session of the UN General Assembly by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and will represent the official stance of the world’s youth on matters relating to young people. “Think about it-you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a document that will be taken to high-level meetings and actually be considered as a guideline of sorts when governments and international organizations make their decisions on young people,” says Naushalya Rajapakse, youngest in the IYTF at 20. “That’s pretty amazing, I think.”
Comments on the Zero Draft will be accepted until April 18 and it can be accessed on www.wcy2014.com (comments should be sent to
secretariat@wcy2014.com).
Read next week’s Mirror Magazine for an overview of the Colombo Declaration on Youth, and how you can contribute.