Youth policy advocacy
I I have not been engaged in the policy Advocacy work before, am really learning a lot on the advocacy from my fellow participants, the topic is quiet informative.
Of late my organisation, and me being the Coordinator of the ICT programmes at Chawama Yoth Project, had to Identify the Policy component that is YOUTH & ICTs, we had to meet the Ministry of sport, Youth and Child Development's Department of Youth Development to highlight more on the need to implement the ICT Policy in Vocational Training Centres in Zambia. and we also had to involve some external partners in order to do this and at that time the ministry did not have a budget for the programme I and my colleague in Youth Work we had to help put up a budget that was presented to paliament for approval and am happy, to also learn that the ICT budget was approved and this would help to cutter for the underprevalaged youths. besides I have been in one DGroup known as E-brain Forum of Zambia have been in the fore front to advocate for National ICT Policy and we contributed to that. From the Look of things ICTs in Zambia is beggining to get a Grip even in schools especially in urburn.
First appologies for non-contribution since the online discussions and training started. I have either been traveling or sick. My name is Simon and I work for Abusua FOundation based out in Cape Coast Ghana. Following the discussion, I can say that Ghanaian Youth have had a very difficult climate to positively get their voices heard in the development of the youth policy. After over a decade the policy was launch in August 2010 during the world youth day. The policy had no action plan, neither did it have a budget. So we do not know how it will be implemented, how mauch it will cost among others.
The NYC and the sector ministry promised that the concerns raised will be addressed in 2weeks and 6months has since passed.
How is the youth policy advocated? In Ghana, my experience has been that the policy issues have been carried by civil society rather than government.
Advocacy: the advocacy for and of the policy has been limited to Accra the Capital. And the key discussants have been politicians. Which means that the people that really work with and for youth are largely ignored or just heard locally. As the case has been, local advocacy in Ghana does not count if your voice is not heard in Accra.
What has been my experience? I use facebook and a media tool for scope and reach. I have used my space on the social network to point, support, criticise on issues that concern youth. So have I posted opportunities that target young people
Thanks Simon for your contributions. You raise very pertinent issues that link policy development and advocacy that is necessary. You mention that youth participation in developing the policy was challenging coupled by the fact that there isn't an action plan nor financial resources to support implementation of the policy: I see a huge opportunity here for advocacy work, that should lead to developing an action plan as well as identifying resources to implement the plan. Before we get to the implementation process - would you say that a majority of Ghanaian youth can relate to the issues identified in the policy? I believe it was sustained advocacy work that led the Government launching the policy - how were the advocacy campaigns organised?
I note that you use social media for your advocacy campaigns - has this channel worked especially if the message has to reach Government?
Dear Nellie arising from Simon's observations above and what I have observed in my experience, I note that usually a lot of efforts are directed towards having a very well written policy document and when it is launched usually there is insufficent funding or lack of proper implementation and monitoring mechanism. Would it be helpful to ensure that these concerns are addressed before a Youth Policy is launched?
Thanks Simon for your contributions. You raise very pertinent issues that link policy development and advocacy that is necessary. You mention that youth participation in developing the policy was challenging coupled by the fact that there isn't an action plan nor financial resources to support implementation of the policy: I see a huge opportunity here for advocacy work, that should lead to developing an action plan as well as identifying resources to implement the plan. Before we get to the implementation process - would you say that a majority of Ghanaian youth can relate to the issues identified in the policy? I believe it was sustained advocacy work that led the Government launching the policy - how were the advocacy campaigns organised?
I note that you use social media for your advocacy campaigns - has this channel worked especially if the message has to reach Government?
Welcome, I hope you are now stable and fit. The discussions have been so enjoyable but, all along I have been a lonely Ghanaian sharing the Ghanaian experience. I am happy you are now around.I agree with you that in Ghana,the policy issues have been carried by civil society rather than government. But in any case I perfectly go with Nellie as she says that there is a big opportunity for advocacy work. Thanks--Kafuiaheto 15:20, 18 February 2011 (UTC)
