Jamaica: Examine National Strategy for Youth Mainstreaming
February 7th, 2011The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will roll out a series of workshops and consultations next month, to discuss a national strategy for making the youth an integral part of the planning and implementation of all Government policies and programmes.
The move is in keeping with the concept of “youth mainstreaming” which is a process of assessing the implications for young persons, of any planned action, including legislation, policies, programmes and projects, in all areas and at all levels. It is a holistic approach to programming, infused with human rights and results-based management principles.
Jamaica recommitted itself to youth mainstreaming as the key strategy of the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment, when Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding endorsed the plan at the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda.
In outlining plans for the initiative in her contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday (February 2), portfolio Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange explained that the Ministry had chosen sports as the special vehicle through which to implement this inclusive approach, and helping the youth to contribute to the Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan.
“The Ministry is bringing the key stakeholders together to share ideas, to promote joint work, and ensure that there are high standards and common aims. Complementing this is the recently re-launched inter-ministerial team on youth (which) brings together senior personnel from ministries, agencies and NGOs (non-governmental organisations), who work in youth development,” she outlined.
A key concept of mainstreaming is that all key players must work towards common goals through increased collaboration, alliances, and coordination.
