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We
have a lot to say...
Tarragona,
Spain, September 2004
Åsta
Ytre |
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“We
are the future, but above all the present”
This was the message from the Red Cross Red Crescent youth leaders
of 27 National Societies worldwide who met in Tarragona, Spain,
22—23 September 2004. The youth, including some International Federation
Youth Commission members, gathered to discuss and agree
on how to increase their involvement in decision-making at all
levels, and then to meet the International
Federation President, Juan Manuel Suárez Del Toro,
to present their conclusions and recommendations.
Their final goal is to make a difference in the future of the
International Federation by advocating and working together to integrate the
youth within the structures of management and governance, not
as mere representatives of a vulnerable group but as partners
who add value to the work of the International Federation.
Diversity makes us stronger
The youth actively participated in the discussions, bringing
their experiences from very different realities and situations,
both in their daily lives and in their National Societies.
However, all of them have at least three things in common: they
are young and active Red Cross Red Crescent members; they share the Red
Cross Red Crescent principles and values; and they are strongly
convinced of the added value that youth bring to the humanitarian
work of our Movement.
Despite their differences, this platform allowed the participants
to openly discuss their local realities and reach an agreement
about youth participation in decision-making at all levels:
nationally, regionally and internationally. The group met for
a whole day to come to an agreement and prepare their recommendations,
and then presented their conclusions to the International Federation President
the following day.
Supportive president
The response from the president, a former youth volunteer of
the Spanish Red Cross, was very positive. “Basically,
I agree with all the points”, he said, and promised to
pass on the youth opinions and recommendations. The president
also said that he was happy to see concrete and realistic proposals
from the youth.
The main recommendations:
At National level, one of the main recommendations was a wider
implementation of national youth policies. The International Federation
Youth Policy and Strategy was adopted in 1991 and confirmed
in 1999, but still there is a lack of implementation in some
National Societies. In addition, the youth recommended leadership
training to be better prepared for playing an active role at
governance level.
At regional level, the main focus was on the establishment and
strengthening of regional youth networks, and on the cooperation
between these networks and the International Federation
Youth Commission members. Also, the participants agreed
that youth should be further involved in all the stages of the
regional conferences.
Last, but certainly not least, the representatives asked for
stronger youth participation at the International Federation General Assembly, the
highest decision-making body of the International Federation.
At the General Assembly in November 2003, the youth lobbied to
have one youth representative in every National Society delegation
of three, through the 1/3 campaign. This initiative was mentioned
again and its importance reinforced. Increased youth participation
will require funding, and the group had several suggestions
to explore solutions for this. Another issue was to strengthen
the role of the Youth Commission.
The youth also proposed that the National Societies would consider
age as well as gender, diversity, geographical balance,
skills, knowledge and experience when choosing candidates for
International Federation bodies.
A social and successful gathering
The meeting was arranged in parallel with the Spanish
Red Cross youth Summer School, with some of the participants
taking part in both events. All together there were around 200
youth gathered, and this added another social dimension to these
important international youth meetings.
The meeting among youth leaders, International Federation Youth Commission members
and the president was particularly meaningful and showed how,
by working together, we can reach common goals.
Go to these links to read the Tarragona agrement and recommendations
in English, French
and Spanish.
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