DRAFT YOUTH POLICY - 2013

Sports, Tourism, Youth Affairs, Archaeology & Museums Department, Peshawar

Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

BACKGROUND

Youth represents a vital segment of society which reflects the aspirations, potential and the future of the nation and requires special attention of the government. However, it was only in 1989 that a Youth Affairs Division was established at the Federal level leading to the preparation of four drafts of National Youth Policy in 1989, 1993, 2002 and 2004. It was only in 2009 that the first ever National Youth Policy was formulated to boost the enthusiasm that the youth could be geared towards becoming a dividend rather than a risk. The policy provided a comprehensive framework to guide national level interventions in youth sector. This arrangement took a radical shift with 18th amendment in the Constitution in 2010 and transfer of powers and responsibilities to the provinces, including youth affairs. The legitimacy of a provincial youth policy comes from this constitutional change.

YOUTH DEMOGRAPHICS - KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The National Youth Policy of Pakistan (2009) defines and categorizes youth as the young people between 15-29 years of age. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa youth policy also subscribes to this definition. With an estimated population of 23,280,371 in 2012, the number of active youth age bracket (15 to 29 years), stands at 26.29 percent of total population. In numerical terms it is 6,120,312 persons. This population includes 3,165,680 male and 2,954,632 female youth.

POLICY FORMULATION
380 representative youth from all districts in the province and more than 250 organizations and bodies contributed to the consultative process across the province to formulate the policy. Its design phase was thoroughly inclusive; in that it demonstrated participation of diverse youth groups i.e. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. Female and male Rural and urban, Literate and illiterate Minority youth Differently-abled youth Jail inmates, transgender, vulnerable youth groups, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees Political leadership, government officials, journalists, Lawyers, social activists, writers, intellectuals and civil society organizations

Consultative workshops, seminars and group discussions with all the above stakeholders were organized in almost all the districts of the province and the present Draft Youth Policy was formulated.

YOUTH POLICY IN RETROSPECT

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Policy comes at a time when the province is doubly pressurized by increasing young population and unfortunate consumption by a volatile security situation amidst 3.5 million IDPs and 1.5 million Afghan refugees.

The challenges like unemployment or underdevelopment, idleness and hopelessness among youth have serious repercussions for worsening the security situation. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth is destined to play a very decisive, effective and meaningful role for the peace and development of the province. The challenges ahead for Government and all other stakeholders are to groom and guide the youth to live a prosperous, healthy and meaningful life contributing to the national peace and harmony.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUTH

The policy aims to foster youth that : Believes in a tolerant and humane religion Respects human dignity Esteems gender equality Contributes to the maintenance of peace and harmony

Promotes high standard of ethical conduct

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITYOF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

a.

Youth development as a priority in planning of the government departments. Allocation of adequate resources to youth related projects. Publishing of annual report regarding implementation of Youth Policy. Associate youth with decision making in projects for youth development. Develop partnership and networking with civil society, NGOs & INGOs.

b. c.

e.

f.

STRATEGIES FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (HIGHLIGHTS) Education Introducing education on peace, love and pride for local culture, diversity and tolerance as part of curricula. Insulating campuses from violence, disturbances and clashes by providing absorbing academic schedules and activities. Utilizing educated youth to reach out to left outs and dropouts as part of their community service.

Training & Skills Development Provision of demand related skills training with micro credit line for entrepreneurship.

Employment Mapping of skills and demands of multiple sectors in the job market.

Provision of paid internships both by public and private sectors.

Extra Curricular activities & Youth Engagement

Organizing youth in volunteer groups for social and community services.

Creating youth peace groups to lead awareness campaigns for augmenting efforts for harmony, tolerance and non-violence. Introducing a programme of debates, competitions, panel discussions and walks structured around issues bearing on youth. Financial & Technical Support Creation of Youth Development Fund to support youth research, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation.

ACTION PLAN
Activity
Processing the policy for consideration and endorsement by the Chief Minister and Cabinet.

Action by

Sports,

After endorsement of the Policy, the Department shall: a) Process amendments in the Rules of Business for re-designating the Directorate of Sports and obligating it with the responsibilities envisaged in the Youth Policy.
b) Notify institutional arrangements for oversight, coordination and implementation. c) Convene inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee. (Next slide) d) Formal launching and showcasing the Policy in the first thematic youth conference of the province attended by: Government Departments Youth Associations Institutions Civil Society Development Partners Potential Donors/ Sponsors.

Tourism,
Archaeology, Museums & Youth Affairs

Department

Directorate of Youth Affairs

12

S TEERING C OMMITTEE
i. Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ii. Minister Youth Affairs iii. Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
iv. Additional Chief Secretary P&D, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v. vi. vii. viii. Secretary Finance Secretary Higher Education Secretary Elementary & Secondary Education Secretary Industries 04 members (02 male/02 female) representing ix. universities, colleges, Higher Secondary Schools, Youth Organizations as annual nominees by the Chief Minister x. Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs xi. Co-opted members for specific meetings.

Chairperson Member Member

Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member
13

THE COMMITTEE IS MANDATED TO:

Provide vision, strategic direction and institutional roadmap for implementation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Policy 2013; Oversee implementation and achievements of the Policy through bi-annual review sessions; Approve annual allocations for Youth Development Sector; and Prepare and publish annual report on the Status of Youth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
14

Thank you!
The Land of Hospitality
15