As part of the international efforts to review of the Programme of Action that was agreed by 174 member states who attended the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994, the ICPD review process will assess progress, gaps and new challenges in achieving the goals of the Programme of Action through process which engage all stakeholders including governments, civil society and least of all, youth.
As the ICPD PoA will come to an end in 2014, youth organizations in the Arab region will have an important opportunity to influence the review of ICPD PoA and the ICPD agenda beyond 2014. To do so, it will require a coordinated effort to unify the youth voices in the region through building a structured advocacy mechanism to enable them from participating meaningfully in the review process. In addition, gradually, such a mechanism could enhance the coordination between youth organizations and youth serving institutions at the regional level.
Last week, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Arab States Regional Office convened a meeting that aimed at gathering youth organizations and youth serving institutions to establish informal youth Civil Society coalition to participate in the ICPD PoA review process. It also aimed to discuss the sustainability of the coalition as a regional youth mechanism for coordination and policy-advising to the UN system for the post-2015 development goals.
Joining over 70 youth from most of the Arab States were 4 talented female youth from the GCC, specifically, 2 young women from Oman and another 2 from Bahrain. Supported by the UNFPA GCC Area Office, these 4 talented women were chosen to take part in the coalition in the efforts of youth inclusion in the national ICPD review which is currently ongoing. In Oman, Amal Al Mashayakhi and Kulthoom Al Khmaiyasi were chosen from applicants for their unique qualifications in representing the country for various other activities and their dedication to volunteerism and development, despite their young age. At 25 and 22 respectively, Amal and Kulthoom have travelled the world and participated in international forums and events that those twice their age have yet to achieve, and so were the perfect choice for such a coalition. After the meeting they are going to spend the next year connecting with other member of the coalition in the region and engaging decision takers and policy makers nationwide to ensure the country is fulfilling its goals towards the ICPD agenda.
This initiative is one of many Youth centered activities that the UNFPA GCC Area Office is undertaking, in an effort to promote the nurturing of youth in the region. For more information please follow us on twitter @UNFPAGCC
