Uganda has welcomed a new policy guidance from the Commonwealth Secretariat and renewed its commitment to supporting measures to place young people’s needs and aspirations at the heart of national policy-making.
Mr. Pius Bigirimana, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on Thursday said that Uganda was very keen on put youth first and had made great progress. “The fact that the future of our country and the world is dependent on the way we raise and nurture our children, we have been working very hard to find the requisite resources and finances to invest in the development of our young people,” he affirmed.
Bigirimana also highlighted the country’s contributions to Community empowerment, protection and promotion of the rights and obligations of the specified vulnerable groups especially youth for social protection and gender responsive development through projects like the Youth Livelihood Programme and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Fund.
He also supported the new policy guidance launched at the ongoing 9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in Uganda, the policy guidance is intended to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by involving young people in finding solutions to global challenges – from ending poverty to combating climate change.
The publication, Transforming Young Lives: Youth Mainstreaming in Development Planning, will enable ministers and senior officials to create more ‘youth-centric’ institutions and planning processes, in which young people actively participate in decisions that affect them.
Commonwealth Secretariat Director of Youth Katherine Ellis, writing in the foreword, says the publication will address a “gap in guidance” by presenting tools and techniques to make young people and their interests visible in government decision-making.
“It is intended to trigger dialogue and mobilise consensus around visions and strategies for youth mainstreaming,” she said. “This work with, and for young people, will further strengthen young people’s opportunities for living in dignity, good health, peace and economic security, in a society that respects and values intergenerational equality and justice.”
The 9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting that brings together over 200 delegates – senior government representatives from more than 30 countries, as well as young leaders, youth workers and partner organisations officially closes today.
For feedback and story tips, contact: stephenmuneza@gmail.com, +256772544870 or Twitter @stephenkmuneza
