A key determining factor to sustaining Red Cross work and for National Societies (NS) to successfully undergo the change process that ensures good leadership is the attraction, promotion and investment in young people.
Many of the social challenges in the Caribbean directly affect young people, however, although young people have been playing a part in NS response to these challenges, they still need to play a stronger role in finding the solutions to addressing these areas, such as HIV and AIDS, risk reduction and youth violence.
Attracting young people to the Red Cross adds value to the development of humanitarian action at community level with regard to prevention, education and care of vulnerable groups.
To this end, Red Cross in the Caribbean with the support of the Caribbean regional representation office (CRRO) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) embarked on initiative in August to focus specifically on the development of its youth volunteers and members.
The first Caribbean Regional Youth Forum was held in Georgetown, Guyana from August 12- 14 with participants from 19 Red Cross Societies and Overseas Branches from the region and five guests from the International Federation’s Secretariat in Geneva and the CRRO. Additionally, all publicity and information materials for the Forum were designed and printed pro bono by regional advertising agency Inglefield/Ogilvy and Mather Caribbean Limited.
In keeping with the regional commitments made in Guayaquil, Ecuador 2007, around the three thematic topics of the Inter-American Plan of Action, the purpose of the Forum was to strengthen the capacity of Red Cross youth volunteers and members who make up more than 50 percent of the National Societies and Overseas Branches – by creating an opportunity for them to share ideas, programmes, and experiences in a youthful dynamic way while learning more about their important role in the movement. The result being that the various countries they represent will have improved youth programmes and youth volunteers will be better managed.
The objectives of the Forum were to:
- To create a space where Red Cross youth leaders in the region can get to know each other and share experiences, with the aim of establishing lasting and meaningful relationships among youth in the Caribbean;
- To bring to the forefront, the commitments made by National Societies at the Inter-Americas Conference; and more specifically, those made by youth; and to initiate programmatic thinking among leaders in order to meet these commitments by the agreed timeframe;
- To provide a platform for Red Cross youth in the region to showcase their national programmes and best practices;
- To establish the ‘ground work’ for the development of a Regional Red Cross Youth Network that will truly strengthen the involvement and development of youth in the Movement;
- To commence the development of a strategy for youth that will guide National Societies planning for youth involvement in all aspects of Red Cross work.
Tanya Wood, head of office, CRRO in her opening address at the Forum said: “This initiative was an opportunity for Red Cross youth in the region to stand-up, take responsibility and commit to action. As the 2011 Inter-American conference will be an opportunity to showcase this commitment and demonstrate what Red Cross youth in the Caribbean can achieve.”
During the three day meeting, youth leaders discussed some of the pertinent issues affecting youth in the region which included violence and crime; HIV and AIDS; capacity building; respect for diversity and networking amongst Red Cross youth.
Recognizing the importance of support and networking in achieving the objectives of the Guayaquil commitments of 2007, the Forum agreed to establish a youth network. The purpose of the network would include the sharing of experiences, ideas and information, technical assistance and resource mobilization strategies.
Four participants from the Forum were elected to serve on and lead the youth network. They were Marva Edward Oculien, St Lucia Red Cross; Akeisha Benjamin, Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross; Ashanta Osborne Moses, Guyana Red Cross and Charlie Joseph, Montserrat Red Cross.
At the end of the three days, the youth participants gave their commitment to work towards improving the communications between countries and increase their participation in their respective Red Cross Societies.
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| Participants of the Youth Forum |
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Red Cross develops youth-friendly services in St Lucia |
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| Forum participants presenting on group-work |
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| Section of the country displays at Youth Forum |
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| Facilitator Salorne Mc Donald guides participants through an activity. |
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| GRCS volunteers assisting participants to set up displays. |
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| Marcel Stefanik, Senior Youth Officer, makes a presentation to the Forum. |
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