Thursday, April 19th, 2007

Supporting Youth Voices

The Next Generation Speaks Out on Development at new GDLN Seminar

Young people active in development issues had their voices heard on April 19, 2007 participating in the first session of a GDLN distance learning seminar “An Inter-Regional Knowledge Sharing Series on the 2007 World Development Report (WDR)”. The focus of the Seminar is in line with the key message of WDR 2007: Development and the Next Generation.

Organized by the World Bank and the Vietnam Development Information Center in cooperation with the TDLC and other affiliates, the two-part Seminar brings together youth leaders, Bank staff and policy makers from the East Asia and Pacific region to discuss development programs initiated by youth. It will also explore the potential for increasing youth participation in the decision making process at national levels.

Titled “Supporting Youth Voices”, the first session was moderated from Washington DC connecting youth from Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Port Moresby, Singapore, Tokyo, Vientiane, Ulaanbaatar and Sydney.

As keynote presenter, Director of WDR 2007 as well as Human Development (Education, Health, Nutrition and Population) for the Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Region Emmanuel Y. Jimenez set the tone for the session, stressing the importance of youth participation in issues and activities related to international development.

Four youths from Thailand, Lao PDR, Japan and Mongolia gave presentations on their activities, impressing listeners with their energetic approach to engaging young people.

PADATC Team Building Trainer and member of Youth Council, Chanthalangsy Sysouvanh from Lao identified youth violence and unemployment as challenges in his country, coupled with frustration due to lack of trust in youth’s abilities and the government’s inability to recognize youth’s ideas. Chalongkwan Tavarayuth, Representative of the Youth, Development and Peace Network Steering committee of Thailand pointed out the need to create a new culture of youth participation -- how to trust and invest in young people.

A second seminar is planned for June focusing on increasing youth participation in the decision making process at the national level.

For more information, visit the World Bank website at http://www.worldbank.org/wdr2007