Asian Youth Delegation at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings 2006

" If the world of ministers, diplomats and ‘stuffy old economists’ is willing to listen to and accept the voice of youth, who are we to deny this precious opportunity to help shaping the future. " Participant in the Singapore Annual Meetings Â

While in Singapore, the youth delegation participated in youth-related sessions of the Civil Society Forum.  This included participating in a discussion of the World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation, where panelist Ms. Chalongkwan Tavarayuth, the Thai student representative of YDP, spoke of the importance of young people spreading the report’s message amongst other youth. 

Similarly, the youth panelist at the Youth Citizenship session, Ms. Deepti Khakurel from Nepal, spoke of the role of youth as active citizens creatively promoting social change, citing examples from her own experience as an activist who has used song, dance, theatre and photography to convey messages to her fellow youth.  The youth also attended a session discussing youth employment, amongst other sessions at the Civil Society Forum and the Program of Seminars.

The Asian youth delegation also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Emmanuel Jimenez, lead author of the WDR 2007 and Sector Director for Human Development, as well as Mr. Peter L. Stephens, Regional Communications Manager for the Bank's East Asia and Pacific region, where both gentlemen expressed their commitment to making sure that youth voices are heard by policymakers and expressed their conviction in the dynamism of young people and their ability to create a better future.

Quotes from youth delegates

"As we attended more conferences and talks, I became more aware of the issues
that affected the youth today. What was remarkable to note is that, even
if we were a developed country we still face the same problems
as that of any developing country. The only difference
is the nature and complexity of the problem.

 It makes me wonder at the end of the day, I have been enlightened
about the world I live in but what about those who are still ignorant?
How many Singaporean youth are aware of what is happening around the world?
How many of them realize that they are no different from a youth in Africa?
We may be seas apart but we are fundamentally youth of the world."

- Lingehswari D/O Eisvran, Singapore

"We were exposed to the many different sides of development. What
is more stark are the many different, sometimes contrasting views
of my peers from Asia and Pacific. In many of the discussions, it was clear
that some of us Singaporeans were thinking quite differently from others
from Asia.

For example, in some discussions on how to promote the
World Development Report, many of us suggested writing emails and posters;
but a delegate from Bangladesh immediately replied saying that most
of his peers were illiterate. It was a humbling experience, and one that would stay
with me for some time as I negotiate my way as a Singaporean
within the larger context of Asia."

-Farhan B. Ali, Singapore

 "I guess what inspired me most from this discussion
and the subsequent sessions on various developmental issues
is knowing that the world has realized of importance of youth issues
and is willing to tackle them systematically. It is then our duty as youth to make sure
our active role in shaping the policies intended to make the world a friendlier place for youth.
If the world of ministers, diplomats and ‘stuffy old economists’ is willing to listen to
and accept the voice of youth, who are we to deny this precious opportunity
to help shaping the future. After all, the more equipped the youth of today,
the better will be the world of tomorrow."

  -Zhou Lihan, Singapore

 "The World Development Report 2007 makes important insights
into social issues that surround young people all over the world and
in Papua New Guinea this is no exception.
 
The task now is to disseminate the findings of WDR07
to as many people in the country as possible and most importantly
those involved in youth work and in youth issues."
 
 -Rex Paura, Papua New Guinea

Future Path of the Youth Dialogue Series

Youth participants at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Singapore also convened to discuss amongst themselves the future of the Youth Dialogue Series, a videoconference series of youth-led presentations and discussions on development, which has been coordinated out of the Singapore Office for the past year, with participation from several EAP sites.  The youth decided that they wish to continue engaging other youth across the region to discuss development issues and best practices. 

Recognizing the WDR 2007 as a core tool for work in any country, the youth decided to return to their home countries and work on identifying which aspects of the WDR 2007 are particularly salient in the local context, see what is being done to respond to these concerns, and where the gaps lie.  The youth may decide to work with others to do a community-level project, whether it be an awareness campaign, research, advocacy, or a project that otherwise responds to issues raised in the WDR.  The Youth Dialogue Series will support this initiative by being a forum where:

1. Youth can connect across the region to update each other on their projects and
   share best practices;
    
2. Lectures/ discussions can be held with World Bank staff and others linked to
   the issues that youth are working on;
    
3. Training can be provided to respond to the needs of the projects run by youth,
   e.g. training in financial literacy for CSOs.

The WDR dissemination team will work closely with these young people as part of their own dissemination efforts and are keen to ensure that youth are involved in discussions on these issues with policymakers.