ICYO - YOUTH INFORMATION

                           No: 2007/52

(E-Newsletter from network of youth organizations in India)

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ICYO - Platform of 356 Youth Organizations in India.       

ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

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12 August 2007  - International Youth Day

Message from

Mr Koïchiro Matsuura,

Director-General, UNESCO

 

The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is ‘Be Seen, Be Heard: Youth Participation for Development’. It is a powerful reminder of the critical importance of the social, economic and political participation of youth in the progress and sustainable development of our societies.

 

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that today’s younger generations are not merely the leaders of the future, but key partners of the present. Young people bring unique perspectives, make invaluable intellectual contributions, and have an unrivalled ability to mobilize support for action at all levels. This is exemplified in countless initiatives all over the world, where young people themselves have developed and implemented active solutions to development challenges faced by their communities. And many successful efforts by governments to engage youth leave no doubt that youth participation in decision-making leads to more effective policies and programmes.

 

However, concerted efforts are needed to ensure that youth participation for development is effectively practiced and not confined to ad-hoc approaches. This implies that young people are provided with the kind of information, skills and training that enables them to make a difference. It also requires that governments and other partners scale-up investments in youth and promote changes in organizational structures to accommodate young people’s voices.

 

For UNESCO, the imperative of youth participation has been a long-standing one. It is embodied in the institutionalization of the Youth Forum as an integral part of all sessions of the General Conference, UNESCO’s highest decision-making body. It is also reflected in the Organization’s firm commitment to involve youth in all initiatives aimed at promoting education for all, poverty eradication and intercultural and interfaith dialogue, a quest, which lies at the core of our mandate. Many inspiring examples of youth-led action resulting from a series of UNESCO Regional Youth Forums related to the promotion of dialogue confirm the benefits of meaningful youth participation.

 

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2007, I therefore call on governments, civil society and development partners to intensify efforts to facilitate the participation of young people in core aspects of social structures, institutions and decision-making processes. And I encourage all young people to make their voices heard and to channel their commitment and creativity into our shared cause of building a world of inclusion.

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Youth Information is published by

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO)

194-A, Arjun Nagar, Safdarjang Enclave

New Delhi 110029, India

Phone: 91 9811729093  / 91 11 26183978 Fax 91 11 26198423

Email: icyoindia@... / icyo@...

Web:  www.icyo.in

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Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) is a registered non-profit, non-governmental network organization, committed in developing areas of mutual cooperation and understanding among different youth voluntary agencies, youth groups, clubs and individuals working in the field of youth welfare in India. 

ICYO functions as an umbrella organization of youth NGOs in India. It's family consists of
over 356 organizations spread in 122 districts of 22 states from different corners of India.

Our goal:
To improve and extend the youth work and services through Youth Organizations;
To enhance and demonstrate youth work in the society;
To promote effective youth programmmes;
To organize network of civil society organizations working towards the development of youth work;
To organize seminars, conferences, workshops, trainings;
To maintain international relation with organizations promoting young people in their programmes and activities

Affiliation: 

Consultative (Roster) Status with ECOSOC, United Nations;
Consultative Status with Commission on Sustainable Development;
Full Member of World Assembly of Youth (WAY); Asian Youth Council (AYC);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); CRIN, South Asia Youth
Environment Network (SAYEN), Affiliate group of ECPAT International, Thailand;
ATSECE-DELHI, Indian Partner of AIDS Care Watch Campaign;
Steering Committee member of World Bank's YDP Network;
Working relation with Indian Association of Parliamentarians (IAPPD);
International Medical Parliamentarians Organizations (IMPO);
Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD);
World Youth Foundation, Malaysia