|
Talking about Empowerment
Negombo, Sri Lanka – By the third day of the Youth Summit, the boundless energy of the young people had settled a bit, and it was time to get down to work. The delegations had stayed up late into the night creatively arranging information and advocacy materials from each of their countries.
The colorful array of posters, fliers, booklets, t-shirts, CDs was impressive. In the morning, groups presented and critiqued material from each country. Using arresting examples, Thierry Lucas, leader of the Youth Summit team, provided pointers about creating effective communications.
By the afternoon, the group was ready for a little empowerment. YouAct, a network of young people representing more than 20 European countries, helped deliver it in some participatory workshops that talked about empowerment.
What is empowerment? The groups were asked.
Knowledge is power, someone volunteered. But, empowerment requires pushing that knowledge forward, the groups agreed. The facilitators talked also about the need also for resources and confidence. Equally important is the willingness to act.
In their willingness to participate fully, the RHIYA young people have demonstrated extraordinary courage. Many have agreed to be interviewed in a language that does not come easily, to people they have just met, about subjects that are difficult to speak of.
In their working groups, they have overcome shyness to speak from their hearts and go far beyond their normal comfort zones. And back in their own countries, they routinely overcome disapproval and embarrassment to talk to their peers, their elders and their religious leaders about reproductive health and rights and the needs of youth.
What is it that empowers these people in their work? Some mentioned friends, family and education, as well as their own desire for information.
“I like getting more information for myself. We have workshops and training with experts so we can learn to talk about sexual issues,” said Simran Udas, 20, of Nepal.
“I have the backing of a very supportive family,” explained Fauzul Azim Kibria, 18, from Bangladesh, when asked what empowers him. “And I’m confident about myself and what I’m doing. It may be true that young people lack the experience of their adults, but adults lack the innovativeness we possess.”
Khairul Bashar, 25, of Pakistan, pointed out the difficulties of empowering others when they lack basic essentials. “Until we give them education, health services, employment and clean water, how can we talk to them about youth initiatives?” he asked. He works in a remote part of the country that has been affected by severe drought.
In any case, Khairul said, change comes slowly in his country, and the youth initiative he is working on lasts is supposed to last just two years. “It is not enough. It should be continued. Five years would be better. Change requires continuity and if it comes too quickly, it is not good.”
For more information contact:
Thierry Lucas: tlucas@unfpa.org
Galanne Deressa: deressa@unfpa.org
This section was posted on 9 November 2004. |
