|
Brief back ground:
Around the rim of the Pacific Ocean are some of
the world’s richest nations and some of its most dynamic
economics of course situation has changed for last few years due to economics
crises. The bringing together of these through increased
economic cooperation and free trade is the fundamental aim of
APEC.
APEC or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, is a
regional consultative mechanism for the promotion of more open
trade, greater economic cooperation, investment expansion and
stronger multilateral trading system. (APEC 1994b:1)
The leaders of the 18 members countries, at their
November 1994 meetings. Agreed on a ‘Declaration of common
Resolve’ which among other things said that they were pledged;
·
To find cooperative solution to the challenges of our
rapidly changing regional and global economy;
- To support an expanding world
economy and an open multilateral trading system;
- To continue to reduce barriers
to trade and investment to enable goods, services capital
flow freely among our economics;
- To ensure that our people share
the benefits of economic growth, link or economic through
advances in telecommunication and transportation, and use
our resources sustainable. (APEC 1994a:1)
The 18 nations which make up APEC’s membership
have a combined Gross National Produce of around 13 trillion or
about half of the world’s total.
Their combined population is 40 per cent of the
world’s total, and they account for about 40 per cent of its
mercantile trade. (APEC 1994:1)
As democratization is
taking its roots, the civil society participation at all levels
is also increasing. Youth participation and contribution are
being recognized by governments and UN bodies in shaping the
future of the world.
On this basis Forum
for Youth in APEC countries is being proposed on the
Theme: “Bridging the Gap and Creating
Opportunity for Youth” is
being proposed to be held prior to APEC Summit which is
scheduled in October 2003 to discuss and articulate common
vision and propose measures to be taken by the government.
Objectives:
1.
To enable socially engaged youth representative from
APEC countries to come together
and share their experiences, develop leadership skills and strengthen
friendship and cooperation.
2.
To review government policies related to youth
and children in APEC countries, particularly the global economic
integration and its impact on youth and children and make policy
recommendation.
3.
To
enable youth representative from other APEC countries to learn
more about Thai cultures and wisdom
The Key areas that
the Youth Forum will focus on are:
A.
Understanding
Gaps that exists ( generation,
social, opportunity, gender) within Society, Countries and between Countries.
B.
Understanding
Economic Integration and the Impact on Youth and Children
C.
Youth
Employment
D.
Role of
Youth as Actors and Target Groups towards a Better Future
Participants: 60
2 representatives from
APEC countries: 40
Thai participants: 20
Duration: 7 days
Day 1
Arrival, welcome, briefing
orientation
Day 2-4
Exposure visit out side Bangkok:
To observe activities of Youth organization and
NGOs responding to the needs and challenges of youth and
children and share experiences.
Day 5 :
Exposure visit in Bangkok to the places of historical and
cultural importance.
Cultural Evening
Day
6-7 :
Forum
Program Components of the Forum:
Day 6 Morning:
Session I
- Welcome, Introduction to the Program:
- Key note speech and Youth Plenary : Bridging the Gap
and Creating Opportunity for the Youth.
- General discussion and conclusions
Session II
- Resource inputs and Youth
Plenary: Understanding Economic Integration and its Impact
on Youth and Children: Measures taken by the Government,
NGO’s and Youth organization.
- General discussions and
conclusions
Afternoon:
Session III
4. Youth Employment (Input from Resource Person)
- Parallel
workshops (to
analyze positive and negative aspects. Positive:
Self-employment, participation etc. Negative: trafficking,
migration, abuse etc. Important factors: family, community,
larger society, articulate vision and propose
recommendations).
Evening: Report back from the workshops and
Discussion
Day 7 Morning:
Session IV
- Youth
Plenary: Role of
Youth as Actors and Target Groups
-
Workshops
- Follow-up
Strategies: Collective Empowerment
towards Bridging the
Gap
-
Resource Sharing, Capacity Building
-
Information Technology
-
Networking
Afternoon:
Session
V
·
Presentation of the draft declaration, discussion and adoption
- Dialogue with the Government representatives
- Press briefing
- Fare -well dinner
Day 8
Departure
Field Visit:
Bangkok and adjacent area: Sena
village, National
Youth Bureau of Thailand, National Council of children and Youth
for development.
Chiang Rai: Women Foundation, Hill Area
Development Foundation, Mon Saengdaw Foundation and The Mirror
Art Group.
Chiang Mai: YMCA Chiang Mai, IMPECT, TYAP,
and Teacher for Street Children Foundation.
Organising Committee
In a meeting of Asian
Youth held August 25-28 in Indonesia, YCCI
was entrusted to initiate a process so that Thai Youth
organizations in cooperation with the Government of Thailand are
able to host the Forum of Youth from APEC countries. It was
agreed that a small core group will meet in February’2003 to
see through the preparation and resource mobilisation. By this
time YCCI will continue to communicate through e.mail with national contacts
in APEC countries for their inputs in improving the agenda.
Brief information about
YCCI
Youth Coordination Center International (YCCI)
which was started as Youth Desk of Asian Resource Foundation in
1996 mainly to
responds to the need of the youth . In May 1998 youth
representatives who participated program in the past met in a
Council , both from Thailand and the Asia region to review the
past activities and plan for the future. The Council decided to
rename the Youth Desk to YCCI but requested Asian Resource
Foundation to provide necessary supports. Since then YCCI is
functioning as an autonomous body of youth, but the accounting
and administrative support,
office space are provided by the
Asian Resource Foundation. A five member Thai committee
look after the program in Thailand. Besides that Asian team consists of
representative from each country over sees the Regional
activities,.
|
Asian Student Medical Journal