SVSG Auckland and International Youth Day 12 August 2014

Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Auckland joins the international community in observing and celebrating International Youth Day 12th August 2014.

As of January 1 2014, the world’s population totalled 7,137,661,030 and continues to grow. Today’s adolescents and youth are 1.8 billion strong and make up one quarter of the world’s population.  On 17 December 1999,  the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.

It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. During IYD, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world.

Each year, International Youth Day focuses on a particular theme, drawing its attention particularly to the most vulnerable groups in our populations. In 2013, the thematic focus was ‘Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward’, with a specific focus of raising awareness on young migrants. Whilst the number of young migrants amongst total international migration is staggering, very little is known about these young people. The IYD celebration 2013 was hoped to offer some visibility to the lives of these young migrants through organizing commemoration events on the theme across the globe.

The theme of International Youth Day 2014 is “Youth and Mental Health.” Youth with mental health conditions can often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion and/or discourage people from seeking help for fear of being negatively ‘labelled’. The 2014 observance of International Youth Day will raise awareness on this important topic, as well as highlight the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak out about these issues with the objective of overcoming stigma and discrimination to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead full and healthy lives free from isolation and unnecessary shame, and openly seek the services and support they need.

This is strategically a significant theme given that young people from the ages of 10-24 make up a staggering 1.8 billion (a quarter) of the world’s population. In Samoa the last census (2011) show youth make up a significant proportion of Samoa’s general population. Of Samoa’s 187,820 general population, 117,113 were between the ages of 0 -29, presenting Samoa with some very unique challenges in the areas of health, education and employment but also several opportunities.

The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) is currently one of the few organisations that work with young people with mental health issues. The SVSG believes in investing young people as a critical point of Samoa’s development, by promoting healthy habits and ensuring education and employment opportunities, access to health services. Despite this commitment, the SVSG is struggling to provide enough resource and people support under the current limited funding it receives. In the spirit of International Youth Day we are calling upon the government of Samoa, as well as international non-governmental organisations and agencies, particularly those who will gather in Samoa this year for the SIDS conference to prioritise the youth of Samoa, especially those dealing with mental health issues.

Young people are the key to building a sustainable future because the choices they make now will reverberate for decades to come. Providing appropriate mental health services and investing in education – especially for girls – can strengthen communities and help achieve a range of development goals.

*Published on Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Auckland website 11.08.14 http://svsgauckland.org.nz/svsg-auckland-international-youth-day-12-august-2014-2/

Sri Lanka and the World Youth Conference 2014: Day 1 Opening Ceremony

Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.

I have to admit my knowledge about the country was fairly limited before I was accepted to attend this conference.

What I have seen is a very proud and patriotic country. Kind of reminded me of home, but is also very unique in it's own ways. 

There is a big enough Indian community in NZ to know Sri Lanka is quite different. Pictures of their much loved President splashed in just about every free corner you can find. Not once have I come across one sour faced Sri Lankan. They all appear to be genuinely happy and very friendly people and have gone out of their way to make us delegates feel extra special ..... and extra welcome. 

Everywhere we go we are accompanied by a police escort, partially because the traffic here in Colombo is crazy, but it's also an extension of their warm hospitality. They have stopped at nothing to make sure we are safe and happy. I kind of get the feeling that being happy is the national motto for Sri Lanka.

The Opening Ceremony was splendid, filled with so much life, colour and beautiful insights into Sri Lankan culture. The venue for the ceremony, the Magampura Ruhunupura International Convention Centre is approximately 3 hours away from our hotel, but well worth the wait.

The multimillion dollar complex put on the best of the best to welcome the worlds international youth delegates formally to Sri Lanka and with Sri Lanka's much beloved President Mahinda Rajapaksa, officially declared the conference open. I felt like royalty walking up the aisle past 100's of young Sri Lankan's dressed in their nation's best to welcome us (see photos)

Just as admirable as the opening ceremony is Sri Lanka's genuine commitment to advancing the lives of it's young people, ensuring that young people are part and parcel of decision making processes within the country.

With such a wonderful start I am looking forward to the rest of the conference. There are several key themes and foundations being addressed at this conference, more information here. I am participating under the foundation of empowering margenalised youth including most at risk young people, and in the theme of Environmental Protection, Emergency Preparedness and Youth Centered Urbanisation, two things I am particularly passionate about.

Will keep blogging over the next few days to let people know how the discussions go. The objective is by the end of the conference, that we are able to develop our contribution for 'youth in the post-development agenda', for the United Nations and international community to consider.

Now time for some much needed sleep :)