|
|
Adults can support by starting to become open-minded towards youth participation and establishing trust with young people. They could provide an environment or space that is not intimidating to young people. An example of this is adults using plain and simple language in the conduct of workshops/ conferences/ meetings/ consultations where young people are present. Furthermore, adults can perform facilitative roles by helping young people to realize their potentials and externalize these into action. In relation to this, they can refrain from imposing young people on what to do.
Hindrances to Participation
1. Adult mindset. Adults think that young people are inexperienced and lack knowledge and skills. They lack trust on young people. Filipinos have a culture of silence thereby making difficult for young people to question or even discuss important matters with adults. Even young people can be insecure of their own capabilities.
2. Crisis Situations of Young People. Young people can be caught in difficult situations such as sexual exploitation and armed conflict.
3. Inequality. Not all youth belong to an equal slate. Gender, class, sexual orientation and even disability might prevent young people to join activities and participate and decide on programs.
4. Lack of Resources. Though we have so many bright ideas, lack of resources, especially funding can inhibit us to implement youth related programs.
5. Lack of Time and other interests. We study, work or even both. These might be sacrificed if there is no balance between our identified priorities and our social involvement. Powerful actors/ institutions such as MTV can drive away youth’s interests towards social involvement.
Some Challenges and Recommendations for Action Planning
1. Self-check. “As youth advocates, do we trust our own capacity to make a difference and to take full responsibility to promote the rights of others?” “Do we believe in the capacity of those younger than us?”
2. Integrate youth participation into other human rights issues for these provide us the reason to organize and get involved. Human rights are interrelated and interdependent. We cannot further our advocacies with an empty stomach.
3. Look into role of young people in the private/ domestic sphere. How do young people decide on family-related matters?
4. Find ways to reach out to millions of unorganized youth. Only one percent of the Filipino youth belong to organizations.
5. Find ways to integrate those who are in the younger age group in our programs.
6. Find ways to reach out to those who hardly have access to opportunities: young women, LGBT youth, out of school youth, young people with disabilities, etc.
7. Consider the immediate environment to which young people exist and the actors that can affect their participation: family, schools, religious institutions, peers, barangays, etc.
8. Call for government support and maximize the existence of the Sangguniang Kabataan. Perform an advisory and cheerleading role for the very young SK officials.
9. Document experiences of youth participation. Let us share our knowledge to empower other young people.
“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.”
Mahatma Gandhi
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Ryan Silverio
This user has not written anything in his panorama profile yet.
|
Comments
wonderful &informative article john garnett | Sep 1st, 2003
keep up the good work
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
