Ian Courtenay has a vision.
As a member of the Youth Commission he would like to see
Caribbean youth take a more active role in the Red Cross.
However, for this to happen
he says that it is the Red Cross’ responsibility
to ensure that youth are prepared for taking on any challenges
within the Red Cross.
“There is a great need
to have the youth more involved in the work of the Red
Cross. But for young people to play a more productive
role in their respective National Societies (NS) they
have to be trained and this should be an aspect of all
Red Cross programming.
Courtenay was at the time speaking during the XVIII Inter-American
Conference which was held in June in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The first Inter-American Youth Meeting
was held on June 4 in Guayaquil and issues discussed included
youth as it relates to the region, community, the Inter-American
Plan of Action (IAC PoA) and organizational development.
Youth represents an important section of the populations
towards which NS direct their humanitarian activity, particularly
regarding their vulnerability in areas such as HIV and
AIDS, and youth violence among other social and health
issues.
Courtenay firmly believes that Red Cross youth have the
potential to add value to the humanitarian action of NS
in the region. “Red Cross youth have an important
role in the development of humanitarian action of the NS
in communities, particularly in regards to prevention,
education and care to vulnerable youth.”
He said this was as a result of the large number of youth
volunteers, their creativity, initiative, capacity, energy
and commitment to the institutional mission.
He added that it was also necessary
to maintain and strengthen the participation opportunities
of youth in all the bodies inside the organization especially
when it comes to decision making. “We the youth have the responsibility to
contribute and participate in the development of our NS,
our youth structures and the implementation of the Red
Cross’ youth policies.”
Courtenay added that following the Inter American Youth
Meeting, the Red Cross youth have given their commitments
to support and participate actively to achieve the objectives
and goals of the new PoA which was approved at the XVIII
Inter-American Conference along the thematic lines of Community
Risk Reduction, Community Health and Promotion of non-discrimination
and respect for diversity.
“Red Cross youth will
also make all efforts to contribute to reduce stigma
and discrimination, prevention and support to Persons
Living with HIV and AIDS and the prevention of youth
violence in our Societies.”
Additionally, he said the Caribbean
youth would like to set up a well functioning network
whereby they can share information and exchange ideas
and best practices.
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