1.1.1 DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTH FOR HABITAT APPROACH
The last decade of the Century was the period when the concepts
of globalization, sustainable development and participation have been included
in the agenda of the international community. These were the years when
governments realized their limitations in the search for solutions to
particularly social development problems at local, national, regional and
international levels and noticed the necessity of establishing partnerships with
non-governmental organizations, private sector, research institutes and
associations of professionals. Important activities were initiated during these
years. The process which began in the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janerio in
1992 underscored the necessity of sharing the problems of the world and the
search for common solutions. During the City Summit (Habitat II Conference) held
in Istanbul in 1996, the concepts of partnership and participation gained more
importance not only in the decision-making processes for current issues but also
for overall future planning a future all.
The City Summit (Habitat II Conference) was a cornerstone for
the United Nations, national governments, local authorities, and especially for
the Non Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations to work
together as partners. The preparatory process for the Conference and the
conference itself offered a great opportunity to integrate the views and demands
of these partners on human settlements development in the formulation of the
Habitat Agenda which reflected the way the problems of the world should be
addressed within principle concepts such as sustainability, participation in
decision making processes, gender equality and social integration.
The City Summit (Habitat II Conference) was the most
participatory conference of the United Nations so far organized and the
organizations of civil society and youth, namely Youth for Habitat, were
accepted as partners in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda that was
adopted as the final document of the Conference.
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Box. 1
Municipal Youth Councils (CMJ) in Colombia
These councils are established according to article 45 of the
National Constitution, which creates opportunities for youth participation and
involvement in decision making. Municipal, Departmental and National Councils
are established under this article and are elected by popular vote of young
people. These councils are autonomous organizations serving as a communication
channel between youth, the private enterprises and the State to design policies,
programmes, and projects concerning youth. In Cartagena and Medellin, these
councils were created by the initiative of youth leaders in contrast with other
regions where the young people are waiting for these Councils to be created from
the government as part of its responsibilities. It is important to note that
these Councils are Municipal, Regional and National, whereas in most other
countries, there is one national youth council. |
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN) is an umbrella
organization operating at the international level with the coordination of a
secretariat, several youth NGOs active at the local, national, regional levels
and with focal points and resource persons in every region. The Network was
first organized as a working group during the Social Development Summit held in
Copenhagen in 1995 to promote youth participation in the Habitat II preparatory
process and to raise awareness on issues of human settlements development. After
the satisfactory results achieved in the City Summit (Habitat II Conference),
youth representatives gathered in the International Youth Follow-up Meeting held
in Eskisehir, Turkey in 1997 and formally established the “Youth for
Habitat International Network” with its operational principles, conditions
of membership and modus operandi of its Secretariat. The Network now has member
youth organizations in more than 50 countries from all around the
world.
