Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration’s Post

📢 Call for Proposals: Activities at European Youth Centres The Council of Europe’s Youth Department invites non-governmental youth organisations and networks to apply for activities at the European Youth Centres in Strasbourg and Budapest. Eligibility: 🔵 Youth organisations with partners/branches in at least 8 European countries. 🔵 European networks of youth organisations/structures with partners from at least 8 countries. 🔵 Sub-regional networks and national youth councils from at least 5 neighbouring countries. Deadline: 15 October 2024 🔗 Check out the Eurodesk Opportunity Finder to find out more: https://eurodesk.eu/udbw  Image by Grete Roos #eurodesk #OpportunityFinder #YouthWork #CouncilOfEurope #EuropeanYouthCentres #NGO #YouthPolicy  Image description:  Slide 1: Two people sit on a couch, one playing a stringed instrument, the other laughing. The image is framed by a purple border with text about grants and a deadline of 15/10/24. A piggy bank icon is also present. Text reads: "CALL FOR ACTIVITIES - EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTRES." Slide 2: A man playing a string instrument; text about the Council of Europe's youth activities on a purple background. "HOW DOES IT WORK: The Youth Department of the Council of Europe invites non-governmental youth organisations, networks, and other non-governmental structures involved in areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe's youth policy to submit applications for activities to be held in co-operation with the European Youth Centres in Strasbourg and Budapest." Slide 3: Want to apply? Check the Opportunity Finder. Eurodesk branding on the side. Purple background with bold text.

House of Representatives, National Assembly Official Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *House of Representatives Celebrates Nigeria's Youth on International Youth Day 2024,* - _Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development_ *Abuja, FCT – Monday, August 12, 2024 –* The Nigeria House of Representatives extends heartfelt congratulations to Nigeria’s youth on the occasion of International Youth Day 2024. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” resonates profoundly with the legislative priorities of the 10th House of Representatives. With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 35, and approximately 110 million young people aged 15-34, the youth are a vital force driving our country's future. Recognising their potential, the House is committed to empowering young Nigerians as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development. In alignment with this commitment, the House introduced Agenda 6 on Inclusion, which focuses on integrating youth into national development processes. The establishment of two dedicated committees – the Committee on Youth Development and the Committee on Youth in Parliament – in July 2023, further exemplifies this commitment. These committees play a crucial role in addressing youth-related issues and ensuring that young Nigerians have a voice in legislative matters. At a recent Town Hall Meeting with Youth Groups and Organisations, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, reinforced this dedication. announcing the House’s commitment to engaging with the youth biannually. An initiative that aims to facilitate ongoing dialogue, ensuring that the concerns and ideas of young Nigerians are integrated into legislative processes. In a special message to young Nigerians, Speaker Abbas, notes that "the 10th House, under my leadership, has prioritised youth-oriented legislation and will continue to give issues affecting Nigeria's youth the utmost attention that they deserve." He also urges the youth to remain patriotic and law-abiding, while seeking their belief that Nigeria would succeed. Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Esin Martins Etim (PDP, Akwa Ibom), further stated: “Aligned with our Legislative Agenda, we are resolute in advocating for a youth-responsive budget to strengthen youth empowerment and broaden access to vocational and technological training. Our commitment is to formulate policies that advance digital literacy and open up opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive in an increasingly digital world." Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC, Oyo), adds: “The 10th House of Representatives is dedicated to providing economic opportunities, fostering inclusion, and enhancing youth participation in governance...

Today, as we join the global community in recognising International Youth Day, we reflect on the vital role we young people play in shaping the future of our world. This year's theme, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," is a call to action, urging us to harness the power of digital technology to drive meaningful change and build a more sustainable, equitable future for all. As young people, we represent the heartbeat, brimming with energy, creativity, and the desire to contribute to national development. According to recent statistics by the Ghana Statistical Service, youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges; estimated at two million and with many young people struggling to find opportunities that match their skills and aspirations. Yet, within this challenge lies a unique opportunity. The digital age offers unprecedented avenues for youth empowerment, from e-commerce and digital marketing to software development and online advocacy. With the click of a button, we can access vast amounts of information, connect with like-minded individuals across the globe, and create innovative solutions to local and global problems. The theme "From Clicks to Progress" encapsulates this potential, highlighting how digital pathways can be leveraged to create sustainable development opportunities for us. Youth Leadership Parliament Ghana (YLP-Ghana) has been at the forefront of youth transformation, providing a platform for young people to voice concerns, share ideas, and take action. For nearly a decade, YLP has supported many young people across the country, offering mentorship, training, and advocacy opportunities. One of the key focus areas of YLP-Ghana has been promoting youth participation. This has enabled most young people to create their own opportunities and community support. As we celebrate the achievements of Ghanaian youth today, we must also acknowledge the work that remains to be done. Today's recognition of International Youth Day must mark a turning point—a moment when we commit to addressing the root causes of youth unemployment and to invest in the digital infrastructure and education needed to empower youth sustainable programmes. This turning point requires a collective effort from government, the private sector, civil society, and we the youth: —It means creating more opportunities for digital education and training, ensuring that we have access to the tools and resources needed to succeed in a digital economy. —It means supporting youth-led businesses and startups that can drive innovation and job creation. —And it means ensuring that our digital revolution is inclusive, reaching young people in every corner of the country, including those in rural and underserved areas. On this day of International Youth Day, let us celebrate our successes while working to create brighter future where every young Ghanaian has the opportunity to thrive.

Youth Focus North East is proud to hold the function of the Regional Youth Work Unit (RYWU) for the North East. Within this function we are a key member of the National Network of RYWU’S https://lnkd.in/e9WzWyf The Network welcomes the announcement of a National Youth Strategy by Lisa Nandy (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), and the recognition that future policy is co-produced with young people, "policymaking must adapt to embrace young voices and listen to their aspirations for a better future". We know there is a huge need for local services for young people and a cross-departmental strategy that enables all parts of the system to come together to support the next generation. Across our network we are committed to working in partnership to support the strategy and deliver better outcomes for young people in a rapidly changing environment. Within this, we know that the financial climate is exceptionally challenging, Local Authorities have experienced huge cuts to services, and we do not underestimate the pressures they are experiencing. The Local Youth Transformation Pilots must draw from the many examples of collaboration already in place across the Voluntary and Community Sector with the statutory sector. They will require resourcing to achieve change and must be designed with young people and the diversity of groups who are there to support them to achieve maximum value and impact and the Dormant Assets funding will need detail on how it will address this deficit. For the youth sector, many funders have paused their funding, and the closure of the National Citizen Service will have an impact on the resources available to voluntary sector groups and through this the young people who are supported by them. It represents another cut to already depleted services and the need to reinvest any funding in local designed services is critical. We have worked with the National Citizen Service and extend our support to the team there at this challenging time. The youth sector continues to be a vital component to delivering improved outcomes with and for young people and we are enthusiastic about the proposal for cross-sector collaborations and young people at the heart of the new strategy.  

📋 The ‘EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment’ project organises two information sessions dedicated to its recently announced grant competition for youth organisations operating in Moldova. The small grant scheme aims to improve the quality and outreach of youth work. The youth civil society organisations (CSO) are invited to propose and pilot innovative measures and practices engaging young people, in particular from remote and less advantaged locations. The project proposals for youth organisations from Moldova should cover one of the following thematic areas: - Climate change and environment. - Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities. - Enhancing youth participation at local, regional and national levels. 💰 The grant amount shall not exceed €15,000 per grant project. To help applicants familiarise themselves with this call, the project will organise two information sessions: 1. 💻Online session, on May 30 from 14:00 to 15:00. 2. 📍Offline session, on June 6 from 14:00 to 15:00 at Europe Café. 📌 Please, register using this form to receive the link for the online meeting and to book a spot for the offline meeting: https://lnkd.in/dwAYQAfQ The information sessions will be held in Romanian. 🔗 For more details, please, check this link: https://lnkd.in/dGv8TafK The funding opportunity is provided within the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment’ project co-funded by the European Union and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as part of the ‘Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership’ Project. #EU4Youth #YouthEngagement #YouthEmpowerment

**International Youth Day: Kenya's Youth and the Power of the Digital Space** As we approach International Youth Day on August 12th, we honor the vibrant and influential role that Kenya's youth play in our nation. This year's theme, 'Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages,' underscores the importance of youth involvement in shaping a better future. The digital space has become an indispensable tool for youth engagement and empowerment. Through social media, online forums, and digital activism, GenZ has emerged as a powerful voice in holding those in power accountable. In Kenya, youth have been instrumental in exposing bad governance and demanding transparency. From corruption scandals to environmental degradation, young Kenyans have harnessed the power of technology to amplify their voices and demand change. Their efforts have had a profound impact, leading to increased public awareness, legal reforms, and even the resignation of corrupt officials. This unwavering commitment to accountability is a testament to the passion and determination of our youth. As we celebrate International Youth Day, let us acknowledge the lost lives of young Kenyans who have dedicated themselves to fighting for a better future. Their sacrifices remind us of the sacrifices youth have made throughout history. We, as youth, must continue to leverage the power of the digital space to amplify our voices, hold leaders accountable, and build a more just and equitable society. By harnessing our collective energy and passion, we can shape the world we want to live in and create a brighter future for all generations. Together, let us honor the legacy of those who came before us and strive to create a world where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful contribution to society.

Here is a beautiful publication with a question that was longing to be tackled :) Kudos to the team that made it happen. Question is though, will all the good recommendations & insights actually reach those who define & drive the attitudes, i.e. decision-makers who more often than not operate from the position that all of it is simply not important, at least to say. And beyond reach, if there is no institutionalised youth (& gender) mainstreaming, shall we rely on seldom enthusiasts from within the system, to try and implement the recs? Food for thought: 🚩 "most participants usually came from major cities, had gone to university (mainly prestigious universities), spoke English and often had some professional standing" 🗣"They are often confronted by political pressures and the demands to align themselves with their government’s stance on different issues" Both insights are easily explainable with the concept of *representation*. It is super problematic to me that 'youth representative' is expected to legitimize inclusion of youth voices, although almost never these people represent anything but own lived experiences, skills and at most organisation that delegated them (which is very fine but its not substantive representation). So, why would their input be seen as anything more than a focus group at best (tokenism aside), even if a super informed one? In addition, in many multilateral fora where presence of young women and men is connected to country representation, and moreover if their mandate is tied to a national institution, how is to be expected that they not align with the entity that takes them to this space? (As effectively they do not represent youth, but the entity that mandated them) Another side of the coin would be to also ask, why these young ppl so rarely feel confident to make waves from within the entity that gave them the spotlight [or 'Master's tools will never dismantle the master's house'? ;)]. Would be also interesting to know at what rate young people who are not pursuing careers in this context: know that some (other) young people partake, if they feel represented or have any wish or stance re their own participation in these spaces or representation of their interest. Finally, pity that the report offers no insight on gendered realities of meaningful youth participation. I bet there would be much to unwrap :) p.s. Situating my comment: I am thinking outloud here from the perspective of both young woman who was partaking in these contexts (representing myself, a country or organized youth), but also of a professional who was enabling such participation... and at least was trying to walk the talk.

This year's World Youth Skills Day recognises the crucial role young people play in peace and development. Within that, diaspora youth are incredible drivers of change thanks to their transnational affinities and wealth of skills and knowledge, so it's the perfect day to publish these Diaspora Youth Recommendations on Integrating Youth Perspectives in Migration Policy Processes. From systematically including youth in high-level dialogues and governance structures, to participatory funding models, generational-impact assessments and 👏crediting👏and👏paying👏 youth experts, there's a lot of material here ranging from principle to practical. Whilst we discussed in the context of migration, development and diaspora engagement, these recommendations are applicable far beyond - further proof of young people as true systems-thinkers. All recommendations deserve (re)action. Read them and reflect: how youth inclusive and empowering is your own work? What can you do better at an individual or organisational level? Hats off and thank you to the authors: Oumou Diallo Adelaide Hirwe Marianna Hu Gilberto Morishaw, as well as those who provided inputs during our workshop: Oumnia Bouaddi Hajar Erraji (she/her) Jennifer Kwao Oksana Muzychuk Savannah Schuurbiers Maria Regina Tongson Agustín Searle Vial Liza Bezvershenko https://lnkd.in/eiBTDxDC

🌟 Reflecting on International Youth Day 2024 and Building Towards a Better Future 🌟 Yesterday, we had a productive post-mortem meeting following the successful International Youth Day held on August 12th, 2024, under the leadership of the Director of Wizara ya Vijana, Uchumi Bunifu na Michezo, and with the participation of all key stakeholders in Kwale County’s youth space. Key Learnings: The annual International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12th with a fresh theme each year. To make next year's event even more impactful, we discussed the energy, creativity, and personal commitment of organizations, individuals, and the youth themselves. Way Forward 🛤️: Revamp Exhibitions: Ensure alignment with the theme and sponsor successful youth to showcase their achievements (both physical and digital platforms). Tangible Value: Focus on delivering real, measurable benefits to young people. Early Planning: Start preparations in May to fully involve PWDs, VTCs, marginalized groups, and youth from all backgrounds. Clear Roles: Define responsibilities to avoid overwhelming the youth officers on D-day. Publicity: Amplify event visibility, especially on TikTok, where most Kwale youth are active. Youth Moderators: Train young people in public speaking, moderation, and agenda-setting. Collaborative Effort: Work together as youth service organizations to maximize impact for the youth. 💡 Exciting Opportunity! The Collaborative Center for Gender and Development shared a life-changing opportunity for young mothers and girls (18-35) at risk of SGBV. They offer: Skilling and TVET linkages Business startup grants Individual grants between Ksh 3,000 to Ksh 500,000 at 8% interest Let’s keep the momentum going and work together to create lasting change for the youth of Kwale County! #YouthEmpowerment #InternationalYouthDay2024 #KwaleYouth #Opportunities #Collaboration #YouthDevelopment

🎉 EU4Youth: Starting today, all information about the youth programmes and activities implemented by the National Youth Agency of Moldova can be accessed on the new website tineret.gov.md. This site is intended to become the main source of information for young people, youth workers, youth organisations, youth centers, youth councils, and students, providing direct access to information, contacts, publications, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development. 💡 The new site represents an important step in promoting and supporting youth initiatives at the national level. Through its user-friendly design, intuitive structure, and content available in three languages, the platform facilitates users' access to programmes implemented by the National Youth Agency, a database of key structures and actors in the youth sector, events organised by the Agency and its partners, the latest news from the youth sector, national and international opportunities, and many other essential elements. The website tineret.gov.md was created with the financial support of the European Union and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment project, implemented by GIZ. #EU4Youth #YouthEngagement #YouthEmpowerment