INTERNATIONAL YOUTH POLICY FOR WORLD PEACE

1. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH POLICY FOR WORLD PEACE by LEE KWAN MENG, IYC & PROF. DR. AZIMI HAMZAH, UPM XV WORLD ASSEMBLY OF YOUTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 22 – 26 November 2010 Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

2. THE WORLD TODAY • There are too many problems in the world today among them global warming, international terrorism, poverty, oppression, debts, disasters, pollution, illegal drug trade, famine, energy crisis, health problems, disasters, territorial fights • All these end up in conflicts, violence and humanity crimes • Result in economic woes, deaths, loss of limbs, and untold sufferings to billions of people around the world Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

3. Issues of Conflict and Peace • With all these problems, HOW can there be Peace in this world? • Peace in this world can only be addressed when the issues underlying these conflicts are resolved • WHO causes them? Perpetuates them? Fuel them? • WHAT are the underlying causes for these conflicts? Fires will only burn out when the burning embers underneath are extinguished Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

4. WHY is this Important for the Youths? • The Youths today will continue to be the inhabitants in this world in the decades to come • If they do not address and resolve these conflicts, how can they and their generations to come continue to live or even survive in this world? They must then find the answers to these issues for their own survival • And to do that, they need Political Will and mechanisms that will enable them to find Peace in this world Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

5. WHAT are required to address and resolve conflict and promote Peace? • 1) The Youth must ENGAGE themselves in the process towards Peace • 2) OPPORTUNITIES must be given to the Youth to play their role and to express themselves • 3) The Youth must be EMPOWERED to take initiatives in resolving conflicts and promote Peace • 4) A GUIDING mechanism should be provided for them to engage and play their role towards world peace Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

6. WHY an International Youth Policy for World Peace? • It is a STATEMENT of the nation’s and citizens’ commitment to contribute to World Peace • It UNDERLINES the role of the nation’s youth and their contributions to World Peace • It IDENTIFIES the nation’s priorities and directions it intends to take with regard to World Peace • It ENCAPSULATE a Vision, Framework and realistic Guidelines from which Strategies and Action can be developed to facilitate youth participation in World Peace Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

7. AIMS of the IYP for World Peace • It gives PRIORITY attention of the youth concerns with regards to World Peace • It IDENTIFIES the priority needs and aspirations of youth, as well as COMMUNICATE the country’s vision for its young people • It PROVIDES a framework for common Goals and Cooperation/Coordination of Actions/Strategies among various concerned bodies Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

8. AIMS (continued) • It provides the DIRECTION for youth engagement in the decision-making processes towards facilitating World Peace • It provides a BASIS for distribution of resources to meet the requirement of youth contributions in World Peace • It provides an opportunity to MAINSTREAM other policies into the IYP • It serves as a BASIS for the Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of policies and programme Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

9. Expectations of the IYP • OUTLINES concrete expected results • PROVIDES indicators for an action plan • ENABLES the formulation of strategies and action plans for implementation • FACILITATES monitoring and evaluation of the role and contributions from the Youths Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

10. Elements for the IYP • Issues of concern • Infrastructure issues • Development of Skills and Values • Youth contributions • Partnerships, Collaborations, Networking • Process of engagement and involvement • Strategies and Action Plans • Legal binding & issues – Acts, Bills, etc. • Expected Outcomes and Impacts Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

11. BENEFITS OF AN IYP • There is a Will and Direction for taking action • Clarity of Objectives for Actions • Sense of Purpose and Meaning for taking action • There will be Engagement and Involvement • Understanding of the Issues • Development of Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, Values • Firm Commitment and Action Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

12. Through IYP: • There will be Political Will of Government to take action & Provide for Budget allocation • Capacity Building of Youth to develop their Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, & Values • Youth will have a Platform for expressions • Youth organizations will have to provide Opportunities and to Contribute • Establishment of a Coalition of all Enablers from the 3 Sectors: Government, Private, NGOs to guide the Youth Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

13. CONCLUSION • IYP will ensure Youth Engagement and Involvement to Promote and Facilitate the Processes for Peace • There will be a Perimeter and Focus for taking action • It will lead to Strengthening Inter-agency Partnerships, International Relations and International Cooperation & Collaborations • There will then be Greater Understanding by Bridging Gaps among Individuals, Communities, and Nations. Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

14. NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL YOUTH POLICY Now let us find out what you think of an International Youth Policy from the form distributed to you. Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010

15. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND KIND COOPERATION! When There Is PEACE WITHIN YOU, Then There Will Be PEACE IN THIS WORLD!!! Lee Kwan Meng & Azimi Hamzah 2010