Resources: Governance

Bartlett, Sheridan, ‘Special Focus: Children and Governance’ in Children, Youth and Environments, (15) 2, 2005.

This issue of the journal focuses on children and governance and includes contributions from many leading international experts on various aspects of citizenship and governance. Each article, review or essay can be downloaded separately.

www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/15_2/index.htm 

Cabannes, Yves, ‘Children and Young People Build Participatory Democracy in Latin American Cities’ in Children, Youth and Environments, Vol. 15, No. 2, 2005.

This paper draws on case studies from cities in Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela where children and young people were involved in local governance.

www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/15_2/ 

The Commonwealth Secretariat- Election Monitoring

The Commonwealth Youth Programme facilitates the including of youth representatives on Commonwealth observer missions. 

http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/152816/152865/174547/220108thediaryo...

Resources: Voice and Accountabilty 

Youth parliaments – Tanga, Tanzania

Twice a year, TAYODEA, a local NGO, organises a sitting of this body, bringing together one male and one female delegate from each of the 24 wards of this area. The intention of this structure is for each local delegation to voice their specific concerns and feed into larger, solution-focused discussions.

http://www.ms.dk/sw98673.asp

Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) Malawi

This NGO has been recognised with an Ubuntu award for Youth Voluntary Service. A core part of its work is a programme dedicated to human rights and democracy. Key parts of this strand include a train the trainers for young voter education and a development programme targeting young people and women who wish to become advocates for human rights and democracy in their communities.

http://www.yoneco.org.mw/

Shadow Youth Government-Lebanon

This government-sponsored scheme intended to promote youth voice in decision-making brings together 20 students chosen from universities around Lebanon based on academic and personal criteria for one-year terms shadowing key government ministers and their portfolios. Duties involve: 

• Monitoring and evaluating the performance of the ministers in the official government;  
• Proposing and implementing pilot projects bringing new approaches to economic and political issues.

Networks: International

Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF)   

Established in 1997, the Commonwealth Youth Forum meets biennially in parallel with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to provide an independent platform for Commonwealth young people from representative structures to voice views on behalf of their peers and make recommendations to heads and the wider Commonwealth. The CYF is planned and delivered by an international team of host nation and Commonwealth young people, supported by Commonwealth youth-serving agencies CYEC and CYP. During the CHOGM, young representatives have a dialogue with heads. The forum final communique statement is produced in situ via an innovatory process of consensus-making. This provides the basis for follow up action (policy and advocacy) by Commonwealth institutions, governments and the network of young alumni.

http://www.cyec.org.uk/young-commonwealth/commonwealth-youth-forum/ 

World Youth Movement for Democracy

The World Youth Movement for Democracy (WYMD) is a global community of youth and their allies working non-violently for democracy. It was founded by a group of young people, like you, who believe in and work for fair elections, free speech, and human rights. They believe we can be stronger by working together.

http://www.wymdonline.org/

Global Youth Action Network

Established in 1996, GYAN works to further youth representation at the highest levels within the United Nations, national governments, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and the media.

http://www.youthlink.org/gyanv5/about.htm 

Networks: Regional

The Civicus Youth Assembly 

The youth assembly offers a unique opportunity for young people to meet and work with other young people who are really making changes in the lives of others. It aims to bring together the world's most engaged, dynamic young activists in the field of social and civic justice.

The innovative programme emphasises the delegates’ own expertise, knowledge and experience through establishing a fully participatory space of shared-learning. 

http://www.civicusassembly.org/index.php?option=com_contentandview=artic...

4TH YTI Global Youth Conference On Democracy And Political Participation

• This conference seeks to understand how representation shapes and influences other legislative functions (lawmaking), duties, and responsibilities. How linkages among legislators, their constituents, and civil society can be strengthened for public awareness and more democratic legislatures.

http://www.ayftafrica.ca/nigsite/4th_globe_confr.htm

Networks: National

National Youth Assembly (NYA), Singapore

• A series of Legislative sessions during which youths propose, debate, and ultimately submit bills to the respective ministries of the Singapore Government. The brainchild of environmental charity ECO Singapore, the inaugural NYA is a youth-for-youth event, organised by youths and targeted at youths aged 17 to 25.

http://www.nationalyouthassembly.org/home/about