Contributions of Youth to the Implementation of the Habitat Agenda (HABITAT, 1999, 137 p.): PART I: OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL REPORTS AND LESSONS LEARNT: 1.1.3 YOUTH COOPERATION WITH UNCHS (HABITAT)

Contributions of Youth to the Implementation of the Habitat Agenda (HABITAT, 1999, 137 p.)

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FOREWORD

SUMMARY

PART I: OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL REPORTS AND LESSONS LEARNT

1.1.1 DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTH FOR HABITAT APPROACH

1.1.2 HABITAT AGENDA AND YOUTH

1.1.3 YOUTH COOPERATION WITH UNCHS (HABITAT)

1.2.1 PREPARATION OF NATIONAL YOUTH REPORTS

1.2.2 GENERAL EVALUATION

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a) Common issues

b) Priorities for action

c) Recommendations to Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN)

1.3.1 STRATEGIES FOR FUTURE

PART II: NATIONAL REPORTS

II.1 BRAZIL

II.2 COLOMBIA

II.3 INDIA

II.4 KENYA

II.5 PAKISTAN

II.6 SENEGAL

II.7 TURKEY

1.1.3 YOUTH COOPERATION WITH UNCHS (HABITAT)

In addition to many joint initiatives undertaken at the national/local levels, a new dimension of partnership between Youth and UNCHS (Habitat) was officially formulated by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in May 1998. The objective of this initiative is to establish and develop cooperation modalities between UNCHS and YFHIN which will enable them to join their capacities in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and the relevant provisions of Agenda 21 with specific focus on the mobilization of the youth potential in human settlements development. Although the duration of this Memorandum of Understanding is defined as two years from the date of signing (May 1998) its impact and contribution in mobilizing the youth potential in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda cannot be evaluated within this limited time frame. The cooperation between UNCHS (Habitat) and YFHIN will extend beyond the date of expiration of the MOU. Such formal cooperation modalities are however important tools for enabling organizations of civil society to take more active roles in the international arena.

Box. 4

Youth Micro-Enterprise Development/Self Employment in Pakistan

Financial assistance for self-employment such as the assistance provided by Youth Investment Promotion Society (YIPS) is an excellent example of supporting youth initiatives in income generating activities as well as the youth self-development. In addition, NGOs provide short term credits in their respective project areas to provide opportunities to unemployed youth to establish their own business at different levels. Micro-credit loaning is an important and very successful programme of the NGOs and CBOs operating in Pakistan.

Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN) - as was the case at the 16th session of the Commission on Human Settlements - organized a comprehensive parallel youth programme during the Seventeenth Session of the Commission on Human Settlements which was held in Nairobi in May 1999. The resolution CHS 17/19 entitled “Partnership with Youth” was supported/proposed by the delegations of many states. The Youth for Habitat approach that was recognized by the Memorandum of Understanding signed by UNCHS (Habitat) and YFHIN was also high lighted in this resolution by captions such as:

“Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding between the Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN) and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), signed in May 1998”;
“Noting with appreciation the work done to date by the Youth for Habitat International Network, involving 103 youth NGOs all over the world in more than 50 countries, on many fields of interest for human settlements and developments”, and;
“Invites the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to continue to work with youth organizations, including YFHIN in all fields concerning youth, on a participatory basis in all related phases of the implementation of the Agenda”.