Who is a Youth?
What is a National Youth Policy?
Why do we need a Youth Policy?
Who is responsible in formulating this Youth Policy?
What is the method and approach in formulating this policy?
Why should I contribute to the youth policy?
How can I contribute my ideas to the national youth policy?
What is a Youth Policy Forum?
Who can make submissions to the YPF?
How can I make submissions to the YPF?
Who will coordinate these forums?
Where will these forums will be held?
How will I know about these forums?
Can I contribute my ideas in my own language?
What will happen after I submit my ideas to the YPF?
Q: Who is a Youth?
According to the Sri Lankan government, a person between the ages of 15 and 29 years is a youth
Q: What is a National Youth Policy?
Youth are considered a vital demographic group for any country. A National Youth Policy (NYP) is formulated in order to assess the situation and needs of the youth population and to provide a framework for ensuring that the youth of the country are provided with adequate resources, a nurturing and protective environment in which they can develop themselves to fulfill their potential.A NYP will recognize the diversity of the youth population and attempt to address the different needs of young people equitably. Since youth needs cut across many different sectors (for example, health, education, livelihoods, security), it will provide guidelines for different sectors to identify specific youth issues and to address them.
Q: Why do we need a Youth Policy?
Policies are meant to provide a framework for intervention. It guides the state, civil society and other actors consistently and uniformly regarding developing a particular sector.A well formulated policy (for example, one that is developed in consultation with different stakeholders) can also be used as an advocacy tool.
Sri Lanka is the only country in the region that has not yet developed a youth policy. Although there are many critical issues facing young people and despite a Presidential Commission on Youth being established in 1990 to look into the grievances of young people, Sri Lanka has still not formulated a cohesive approach to addressing the issues faced by young people.As a result, there are contradictions and gaps in the policy environment with regard to fulfilling the needs and protecting the rights of young people.
Q: Who is responsible in formulating this Youth Policy?
You are responsible for formulating the youth policy!
While this is an initiative of the Youth Ministry, with support from the National Youth Services Council and the Open University of Sri Lanka, ultimately what is reflected in the policy will depend on YOU. Developing the NYP will be a consultative, participatory and transparent process. You will have many opportunities for providing your input to it. Please make use of these opportunities!
Q: What is the method and approach in formulating this policy?
To formulate a good policy we need evidence. So, first of all there is a data collection process. This involves talking to various people as well as providing the opportunity for those who are interested to provide information and ideas to the NYP. The main objective of the data collection process is to understand the situation of young people in Sri Lanka and also to identify the key issues they face.
Once the data is collected a team of people will analyse the data and develop a draft policy. This will again be made available to the public for their comments.After receiving the comments the NYP will be finalized.
There will be certain key values that will inform the policy formulation process: youth will be regarded as a resource with certain specific needs and rights.A key consideration in the policy will be ensuring these needs are met and that their rights are protected.Importantly, the policy will take notice of the need to enable youth to have a voice in matters relating to them. As such, the policy formulation process will provide opportunities for young people to give their input into the NYP.
Q: Why should I contribute to the youth policy?
The best policies are those that reflect the needs of people and address those. Policies are not owned by the state or by policy makers or by politicians.They must be owned by the people for whom it is meant. That means, that people should also be able to contribute to policy formulation. While there are specific technical expertise that is required for policy formulation, the process should be inclusive and consultative. The more involved you are as a citizen in policy formulation the more effectively you can hold those responsible for implementing policy accountable. You can then advocate for your rights and on behalf of others. Being aware of what policies are being developed and how they will affect you is part of being an active citizen. Make sure that the policies reflect YOUR concerns.
Q: How can I contribute my ideas to the national youth policy?
Youth Policy Forums: Youth Policy Forums will be held in each district. You can submit your concerns to these Forums either in a written form or orally. Guidelines for submitting your ideas will be made available to the public.More details about the Youth Policy Forums are provided below.
Suggestion Boxes: These boxes will be placed in public spaces for you to contribute your ideas to the NYP.
Facebook: You can also provide comments and inputs through the Facebook page that has been set up for the National Youth Policy.
Q:What is a Youth Policy Forum?
A Youth Policy Forum (YPF) is a mechanism that has been set up to enable you, the public, to provide your input into the NYP. It is a 3 member panel made up of distinguished and respected persons from each province.The main objective of the panel is to understand the issues facing young people clearly and also to find out from the public their ideas for improving the lives of young people. This panel will come to your district for one day that will be informed to you in advance. You can make a submission to the YPF in your district.
Q: Who can make submissions to the YPF?
Any member of the public or any organization interested in youth issues can make a submission to the YPF. We encourage all of you to participate in these forums.
Q: How can I make submissions to the YPF?
You can personally attend a YPF on the day that it is meeting in your district and present your ideas about the NYP orally or in writing. You can also post your submissions to the address provided in this leaflet or email your submissions to the address that is provided.
Q: Who will coordinate these forums?
The NYSC District Coordinator will be responsible for the forum in each district. The Social Studies Department of the Open University of Sri Lanka is responsible for providing technical input for the YPF.
Q: Where these forums will be held?
These forums will be held in a publicly accessible place. The places where the forums will be held will be notified through the media and through posters. Please watch out for more information about the time and place where the forum will be held in your district.
Q: How will I know about these forums?
There will be media campaign to create awareness about these forums. Additionally, you can obtain information about these forums from the contact details provided in this leaflet. The NYSC district coordinator will also provide you with information.
Q: Can I contribute my ideas in my own language?
Yes, you can contribute your ideas in any language you choose.
Q: What will happen after I submit my ideas to the YPF?
The Open University of Sri Lanka which is provided technical support for drafting the NYP will analyse all the submissions that are provided to the YPF. They will formulate the NYP taking into consideration the ideas that are generated from the YPF.
