Meaningful Youth Engagement, Youth Empowerment and Development is a cardinal call for all African Leaders with goodwill intent to relieve Africa from yokes of poverty. Youth Policy is a vehicle through which programs targeted at the youth can be designed and implemented. This draft policy was my first product immediately I assumed the role of Policy and Resource Mobilization Advisor in the Executive Office of the Governor of Homa Bay County.
The Schoharie County Youth Bureau Mission & Goals 2013George McDonnell
The document provides the mission statement, goals, and objectives of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau. The mission is to promote the empowerment and well-being of county youth through positive youth development methods. The goals include providing positive experiences, maximizing direct contact with youth, connecting youth to their community, strengthening school connections, collaborative efforts with other organizations, giving youth a voice, and involvement in youth-serving committees. The objectives outline how the Youth Bureau plans to achieve these goals through its programs and services.
National Youth Policy of Nigeria- Revised 2009 (Federal Ministry Of Youth Dev...Gochi Ugo
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has recorded another giant leap with the completion of the review and updating of the 2001 National Youth Policy. The new document is all inclusive, elaborate and proactive as it takes into account existing, new and emerging challenges in the youth sector.
Does Filipino Youths really engage in today's government? Political Involvement/ Civic Engagement
National Youth Commissions(NYC)/ Sangguniang Kabataan(SK)
RESOURCE:
• National Youth Commission.2015 cited in http://nyc.gov.ph.
• Velasco, D. (n.d.) REJECTING “OLD-STYLE” POLITICS?Youth Participation in the Philippines cited in https://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy-ab&client=firefox-bab&btnG=Search&q=countrypapers_philippines+pdf&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ZjwTWf3bDcjEXtH_qPgG
The document proposes establishing the Youth Unity Peace Forum of Eastern Ethiopia to promote unity, peace and development among youth in the region. It would do this through activities like public forums that allow youth to discuss issues and ways to achieve regional unity. The forum aims to minimize conflicts, promote human rights and empower youth and women. It would focus on educating youth about valuing other ethnic groups and religions to foster understanding between different communities.
Nigerian National Youth Policy - 2019 EditionYouthHubAfrica
Nigeria’s youth plays key role in our National Development efforts hence our administration has enunciated a clear policy framework to ensure that the enabling environment is created for them to maximally realize their creative and productive potentials. Appropriate strategies to mainstream youth concerns into our national development efforts are receiving priority attention in order to properly face up to the challenges thrown up by our commitment to human capital development with special emphasis on our vibrant youth.
The Bagong Maco Youth Organization (BMYO) is a local youth organization in Maco, Philippines that serves youth ages 15-35. It aims to empower young people and develop their skills through programs focused on leadership, advocacy, fellowship and faith. BMYO's vision is to generate engaged youth leaders who actively participate in community development. It works to unite youth across Maco's 37 barangays and strengthen relationships between young people and stakeholders through collaborative programs. BMYO's structure includes a president, vice presidents, secretaries and other officers who oversee committees and coordinate with partner organizations like the Sangguniang Kabataan youth council.
The Youth Manifesto is a comprehensive document compiled by Ghanaian youth that outlines policy proposals and priorities to place youth issues at the center of Ghana's development agenda. It was created through a year-long collaborative process that included capacity building workshops, community forums, and input collection activities to gather perspectives from over 400 locations across Ghana. The final document aims to advocate for more inclusive public policy decision-making that addresses the needs and aspirations of Ghana's large youth population.
The Integrated Allied Social Services (IASS) program provides interventions for the minor dependents of clients to help them become self-reliant and responsible citizens. The program engages children in activities that promote social and economic development, and strengthens their values. The goals of the IASS program are to promote the well-being of youth, provide skills to help cope with their parents' correctional programs, encourage character building, and enhance abilities.
The Schoharie County Youth Bureau Mission & Goals 2013George McDonnell
The document provides the mission statement, goals, and objectives of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau. The mission is to promote the empowerment and well-being of county youth through positive youth development methods. The goals include providing positive experiences, maximizing direct contact with youth, connecting youth to their community, strengthening school connections, collaborative efforts with other organizations, giving youth a voice, and involvement in youth-serving committees. The objectives outline how the Youth Bureau plans to achieve these goals through its programs and services.
National Youth Policy of Nigeria- Revised 2009 (Federal Ministry Of Youth Dev...Gochi Ugo
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has recorded another giant leap with the completion of the review and updating of the 2001 National Youth Policy. The new document is all inclusive, elaborate and proactive as it takes into account existing, new and emerging challenges in the youth sector.
Does Filipino Youths really engage in today's government? Political Involvement/ Civic Engagement
National Youth Commissions(NYC)/ Sangguniang Kabataan(SK)
RESOURCE:
• National Youth Commission.2015 cited in http://nyc.gov.ph.
• Velasco, D. (n.d.) REJECTING “OLD-STYLE” POLITICS?Youth Participation in the Philippines cited in https://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy-ab&client=firefox-bab&btnG=Search&q=countrypapers_philippines+pdf&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ZjwTWf3bDcjEXtH_qPgG
The document proposes establishing the Youth Unity Peace Forum of Eastern Ethiopia to promote unity, peace and development among youth in the region. It would do this through activities like public forums that allow youth to discuss issues and ways to achieve regional unity. The forum aims to minimize conflicts, promote human rights and empower youth and women. It would focus on educating youth about valuing other ethnic groups and religions to foster understanding between different communities.
Nigerian National Youth Policy - 2019 EditionYouthHubAfrica
Nigeria’s youth plays key role in our National Development efforts hence our administration has enunciated a clear policy framework to ensure that the enabling environment is created for them to maximally realize their creative and productive potentials. Appropriate strategies to mainstream youth concerns into our national development efforts are receiving priority attention in order to properly face up to the challenges thrown up by our commitment to human capital development with special emphasis on our vibrant youth.
The Bagong Maco Youth Organization (BMYO) is a local youth organization in Maco, Philippines that serves youth ages 15-35. It aims to empower young people and develop their skills through programs focused on leadership, advocacy, fellowship and faith. BMYO's vision is to generate engaged youth leaders who actively participate in community development. It works to unite youth across Maco's 37 barangays and strengthen relationships between young people and stakeholders through collaborative programs. BMYO's structure includes a president, vice presidents, secretaries and other officers who oversee committees and coordinate with partner organizations like the Sangguniang Kabataan youth council.
The Youth Manifesto is a comprehensive document compiled by Ghanaian youth that outlines policy proposals and priorities to place youth issues at the center of Ghana's development agenda. It was created through a year-long collaborative process that included capacity building workshops, community forums, and input collection activities to gather perspectives from over 400 locations across Ghana. The final document aims to advocate for more inclusive public policy decision-making that addresses the needs and aspirations of Ghana's large youth population.
The Integrated Allied Social Services (IASS) program provides interventions for the minor dependents of clients to help them become self-reliant and responsible citizens. The program engages children in activities that promote social and economic development, and strengthens their values. The goals of the IASS program are to promote the well-being of youth, provide skills to help cope with their parents' correctional programs, encourage character building, and enhance abilities.
The Integrated Allied Social Services (IASS) program provides interventions for the minor dependents of clients to help them become self-reliant and responsible citizens. The program engages children in activities that promote social and economic development, and strengthens their values. The goals of the IASS program are to promote the well-being of youth, provide skills to help cope with their parents' correctional programs, encourage character building, and enhance abilities.
The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) expresses profound gratitude and earnest
appreciation to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Carter Center and
partners for the continuous support towards the timely development of a National
Youth Manifesto ahead of the ensuing 2017 general and presidential elections. This
support wouldn’t have been more appropriate than now, especially when young people
are enthusiastically opting for meaningful participation and inclusion in national
decision-making processes.
The African Youth Charter is a legal framework that aims to support youth development policies and programs across Africa. It was adopted in 2006 by African heads of state after a drafting process that engaged various youth and government stakeholders. The Charter addresses key areas like education, employment, health, and participation. While 28 countries have ratified it and 39 have signed it, only ratification allows full domestic implementation of the Charter's provisions. Youth organizations can support awareness, ratification, and monitoring of the Charter's implementation at national and local levels through advocacy, events, and partnerships.
This document is a policy paper on enhancing youth participation in local governance in Palestine. It was developed through a participatory process involving stakeholders. The objectives are to promote social justice, good governance, and youth engagement in local decision-making and development. Key policies outlined include raising awareness of youth participation, building youth capacity, and institutionalizing participation through representative bodies and assigning youth officers in local governments. The goal is to empower youth and ensure their needs are addressed in community planning and budgets.
We are a group of Youth who came together with mission of improving youth qualities such as; peaceful co-existence, educational values, technical aids, traditional and cultural values, community development projects, collective participation initiation, bringing out the special abilities in youth such as potential with abilities to enhance private progression without depending on government, creating awareness on the ills of social vices and general awareness of how a youth should be or contribute to his society.
SACONO is a non-profit organization registered in South Africa that represents non-profits across the country's nine provinces. It was established in 2012 to be the voice of vulnerable communities and close the gap between government and non-profits. SACONO has a 18-member executive committee that oversees its work in capacity building, women's empowerment, youth mobilization, and civil society networking. Its goals are to strengthen the non-profit sector through advocacy, organizing, resource mobilization, and supporting members' work on issues like poverty alleviation, women's and children's rights, and rural development.
My Brothers Keeper Long Beach and National Action PlanHoward Perry
The 100 Black Men of Long Beach is one of the charter members of this coalition developed by The City of Long Beach. My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Local Action Plan, is a significant endeavor to establish and implement new approaches to address the needs and priorities of youth and ensure that all young people, including boys and young men of color, have the opportunity to succeed. The MBK Local Action Plan includes a call to action for mentorship, as part of the City’s Safe Long Beach efforts.The MBK Local Action Plan focuses on the six crucial milestones for success: Ensure that Long Beach youth are physically and mentally prepared to start school
Read at grade level by the third grade
Graduate from high school
Complete post-secondary education or training
Successfully enter the workforce
Remain safe from violent crime
We are now in the implementation of this policy.
Dailogue Meeting for Children Parliament May 20th 2010Patrick Obita
The document discusses establishing a Children's Parliament in Arua District to promote meaningful participation of children in community development issues that affect them. It outlines the importance of child participation, including that it upholds children's rights, harnesses their ideas and skills, and helps develop their leadership abilities. The document proposes a vision for a Children's Parliament that would allow children to advocate on issues like child protection, development projects, and budgets. It suggests the Parliament could work by having children elected at village and parish levels to represent issues and advocate for vulnerable children. Establishing this would help scale up children's participation in the district's development process.
The Expert group meeting brought together experts, practitioners, and young people to address policies and programs for urban youth job creation in Africa. Key issues examined included obstacles to urban youth employment, national strategies and policies, and experiences in addressing youth employment. Recommendations emphasized adopting a holistic approach; directing more resources to youth needs; ensuring youth participation in decision-making; and strengthening the link between youth employment, education/skills training, and national plans like PRSPs.
Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation is in the process of integrating its work with Youth Volunteerism. This slideshow was presented in a ground breaking meeting
RANASC is a faith-based organization in Nigeria that aims to address moral and social issues among youth. Its vision is to positively influence youth behaviors and empower them to make informed decisions. The organization's objectives include improving youth moral standards through educational programs, reducing social vices, empowering youth economically and developing their leadership skills. RANASC employs advocacy, youth empowerment, and health approaches like workshops, counseling, and outreach programs to achieve its goals.
Report on socio cultural issues - by Simelinkosi Lisa DlomoLisa Dlomo
Care International conducted research in 4 districts of Zimbabwe to identify socio-cultural factors and gender barriers hindering youth participation in economic activities. Key findings included high levels of gender bias, youth unemployment, and low social and economic participation of youth. Youth spent time in risky activities like illegal gold panning and casual sex due to lack of opportunities. The research aims to inform the development of a film to trigger discussion in communities on overcoming constraints to youth empowerment. It explored social norms, beliefs, and gender barriers through interviews and focus groups with youth and community leaders. The research focuses on traditionally unchallenged areas of culture, social values, and gender roles that influence economic activities and development programs.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Economic Development Conference 2016Dylan James
Formalising Indigenous Knowledge into drivers of our Economy. Upliftment of Khoi & San People: Using the Community Investment Companies to enable Indigenous Knowledge System in Economic Development.
There is no simple way to solving the African youth question. This book seeks to make a simple but no ordinary call on all stakeholders to take steps and help solve the youth question across the continent. This is a call, which does not require guns and machetes, but intellectual and moral weapons without which lasting results can never be secured. One other important issue worth mentioning, if even in passing, is the slur of ghettoes. Ghettoes have been known to provide safe havens for criminals and traps for the vulnerable youth especially the homeless, poverty stricken and those from hot spots. Ghettoes do not only provide fertile grounds for criminals, they also provide them with the opportunity to recruit vulnerable youth to their fold. There is no doubt that, policies have no legs to walk on into reality. The traditional track for their movement into reality is through programmes deliberately designed and religiously adhered to. On the other hand, institutions implement programmes. Thus the stronger, effective and resourceful an institution is, the better the programmes are implemented and consequently the effectiveness of the policy in the lives of the intended target. The media, with its reach, the ability to set agenda, and its 'god' status in the eyes of society should attempt to educate the youth on family values to the society. Debates could be generated on the essence of the family unit among others to psyche society up by highlighting the inherent beauty of the family system. The time has come for chieftaincy institution, to reassert its traditional duties to the youth and society. This is a call for grassroot education where chiefs and sub-chiefs would engage their societies in meaningful 'Nim-tree' and Baobab-tree discussions to establish codes and reinstate the position of the family in the society and more importantly to the youth. Two critical programmes, which could provide substantive and long-term opportunities to the youth, should centre on Incubation Centres and National Employment Programme. Traditionally, incubation centres give office space and technical advice in the early years of start-ups with the capacity, by design, to support any area of entrepreneurial direction government policies indicates. The high level of expertise required to successfully manage a business, coupled with the cost of rent, makes it necessary for the government, either singularly or in partnership, to support the culture of the business incubation centres. These incubation centres should be established with the core goal of providing the necessary technical support and protection for young entrepreneurs during the critical early stages of their businesses. As a matter of national priority, African leaders need to build and empower youth entrepreneurs. The issue of job centres with an online option would enhance the job search and security of the youth. That is to say, the government should establish job centres on campuses....
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, delivered remarks at an event celebrating International Youth Day. He emphasized the importance of investing in and empowering youth. His administration places a high priority on youth development and has programs to train and employ young people through opportunities in agriculture, small businesses, and other ventures. He urged the youth to embrace dialogue over confrontation and asked all stakeholders to work together to provide opportunities that will help develop Ekiti State's youth.
PCI Media is a non-profit that uses strategic communication including television, radio, and digital media to promote social change. In 2018, highlights included launching an LGBT human rights campaign in the Caribbean funded by the EU, and two cooking shows in Peru and Bangladesh through partnerships with the World Food Program to address malnutrition. PCI Media won 11 awards for its work and had its highest annual budget to date, allowing expansion of programs and staff.
This document provides an overview of volunteering in America based on a report from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Some key points:
- 26.5% of American adults volunteered through an organization in 2012, totaling 64.5 million volunteers and 7.9 billion hours of service worth an estimated $175 billion.
- Volunteering remains strong across generations, with Generation X showing the highest rate at 33.5% and those over 65 volunteering the most hours per year on average.
- Working mothers volunteer at a higher rate than the overall population, at 33.5% for those with children under 18 compared to 26.5% overall.
The document discusses the introduction of a new nonprofit page in the Long Beach Business Journal. It provides the following key details:
1) The executive director of the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership met with George Economides of the Third Sector and they agreed to dedicate the last page of each Business Journal issue to nonprofit issues and perspectives.
2) The new "Nonprofit Page" will highlight important nonprofit topics through contributions from sector leaders and provide a way to better connect nonprofits and businesses.
3) The executive director hopes the page will spark more communication, collaboration and partnerships between nonprofits and other community partners to make 2015 a successful year for Long Beach nonprofits.
Youth work helps young people learn about themselves and society through informal educational activities that combine enjoyment, challenge, and learning. It takes place wherever young people gather, such as youth centers and parks. Youth work seeks to promote young people's personal and social development by giving them a voice and influence in their communities. Local authorities are responsible for securing youth work in their areas and integrating it into children's services through children's trusts.
The document outlines the vision, mission, values and promise of the SABC to serve as a public broadcaster focused on total citizen empowerment in South Africa. It discusses setting the scene for the SABC's social report, including introductory comments and a statement by the Group Chief Executive Officer emphasizing the SABC's role in nation-building, democracy, and empowering citizens. It then highlights key findings from interviews with citizens who have benefited from expanded television and radio access, including positive impacts on health awareness, cultural understanding, and community connections.
Identification of Opportunities for Norwegian Businesses in Enhancement of Va...RICHARDBONYO1
Played a key research role and provided technical drafting services for the Identification of Opportunities for Norwegian
Businesses in Enhancement of Value Chains in the Kenyan Agriculture Sector
INVESTMENT BOOKLET FINAL COPY REVISED 2 FOR PUBLICATION-1.pdfRICHARDBONYO1
Marketing of Investment Opportunities in Homa Bay County, Kenya was one of my passionate areas of concern while serving as Policy and Resource Mobilization Advisor in the Executive Office of the Governor of Homa Bay County (2018 - 2022). It still remains my area of great interest to market Homa Bay County as the destination of choice for investors (FDIs and LDIs).
The Integrated Allied Social Services (IASS) program provides interventions for the minor dependents of clients to help them become self-reliant and responsible citizens. The program engages children in activities that promote social and economic development, and strengthens their values. The goals of the IASS program are to promote the well-being of youth, provide skills to help cope with their parents' correctional programs, encourage character building, and enhance abilities.
The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) expresses profound gratitude and earnest
appreciation to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Carter Center and
partners for the continuous support towards the timely development of a National
Youth Manifesto ahead of the ensuing 2017 general and presidential elections. This
support wouldn’t have been more appropriate than now, especially when young people
are enthusiastically opting for meaningful participation and inclusion in national
decision-making processes.
The African Youth Charter is a legal framework that aims to support youth development policies and programs across Africa. It was adopted in 2006 by African heads of state after a drafting process that engaged various youth and government stakeholders. The Charter addresses key areas like education, employment, health, and participation. While 28 countries have ratified it and 39 have signed it, only ratification allows full domestic implementation of the Charter's provisions. Youth organizations can support awareness, ratification, and monitoring of the Charter's implementation at national and local levels through advocacy, events, and partnerships.
This document is a policy paper on enhancing youth participation in local governance in Palestine. It was developed through a participatory process involving stakeholders. The objectives are to promote social justice, good governance, and youth engagement in local decision-making and development. Key policies outlined include raising awareness of youth participation, building youth capacity, and institutionalizing participation through representative bodies and assigning youth officers in local governments. The goal is to empower youth and ensure their needs are addressed in community planning and budgets.
We are a group of Youth who came together with mission of improving youth qualities such as; peaceful co-existence, educational values, technical aids, traditional and cultural values, community development projects, collective participation initiation, bringing out the special abilities in youth such as potential with abilities to enhance private progression without depending on government, creating awareness on the ills of social vices and general awareness of how a youth should be or contribute to his society.
SACONO is a non-profit organization registered in South Africa that represents non-profits across the country's nine provinces. It was established in 2012 to be the voice of vulnerable communities and close the gap between government and non-profits. SACONO has a 18-member executive committee that oversees its work in capacity building, women's empowerment, youth mobilization, and civil society networking. Its goals are to strengthen the non-profit sector through advocacy, organizing, resource mobilization, and supporting members' work on issues like poverty alleviation, women's and children's rights, and rural development.
My Brothers Keeper Long Beach and National Action PlanHoward Perry
The 100 Black Men of Long Beach is one of the charter members of this coalition developed by The City of Long Beach. My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Local Action Plan, is a significant endeavor to establish and implement new approaches to address the needs and priorities of youth and ensure that all young people, including boys and young men of color, have the opportunity to succeed. The MBK Local Action Plan includes a call to action for mentorship, as part of the City’s Safe Long Beach efforts.The MBK Local Action Plan focuses on the six crucial milestones for success: Ensure that Long Beach youth are physically and mentally prepared to start school
Read at grade level by the third grade
Graduate from high school
Complete post-secondary education or training
Successfully enter the workforce
Remain safe from violent crime
We are now in the implementation of this policy.
Dailogue Meeting for Children Parliament May 20th 2010Patrick Obita
The document discusses establishing a Children's Parliament in Arua District to promote meaningful participation of children in community development issues that affect them. It outlines the importance of child participation, including that it upholds children's rights, harnesses their ideas and skills, and helps develop their leadership abilities. The document proposes a vision for a Children's Parliament that would allow children to advocate on issues like child protection, development projects, and budgets. It suggests the Parliament could work by having children elected at village and parish levels to represent issues and advocate for vulnerable children. Establishing this would help scale up children's participation in the district's development process.
The Expert group meeting brought together experts, practitioners, and young people to address policies and programs for urban youth job creation in Africa. Key issues examined included obstacles to urban youth employment, national strategies and policies, and experiences in addressing youth employment. Recommendations emphasized adopting a holistic approach; directing more resources to youth needs; ensuring youth participation in decision-making; and strengthening the link between youth employment, education/skills training, and national plans like PRSPs.
Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation is in the process of integrating its work with Youth Volunteerism. This slideshow was presented in a ground breaking meeting
RANASC is a faith-based organization in Nigeria that aims to address moral and social issues among youth. Its vision is to positively influence youth behaviors and empower them to make informed decisions. The organization's objectives include improving youth moral standards through educational programs, reducing social vices, empowering youth economically and developing their leadership skills. RANASC employs advocacy, youth empowerment, and health approaches like workshops, counseling, and outreach programs to achieve its goals.
Report on socio cultural issues - by Simelinkosi Lisa DlomoLisa Dlomo
Care International conducted research in 4 districts of Zimbabwe to identify socio-cultural factors and gender barriers hindering youth participation in economic activities. Key findings included high levels of gender bias, youth unemployment, and low social and economic participation of youth. Youth spent time in risky activities like illegal gold panning and casual sex due to lack of opportunities. The research aims to inform the development of a film to trigger discussion in communities on overcoming constraints to youth empowerment. It explored social norms, beliefs, and gender barriers through interviews and focus groups with youth and community leaders. The research focuses on traditionally unchallenged areas of culture, social values, and gender roles that influence economic activities and development programs.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Economic Development Conference 2016Dylan James
Formalising Indigenous Knowledge into drivers of our Economy. Upliftment of Khoi & San People: Using the Community Investment Companies to enable Indigenous Knowledge System in Economic Development.
There is no simple way to solving the African youth question. This book seeks to make a simple but no ordinary call on all stakeholders to take steps and help solve the youth question across the continent. This is a call, which does not require guns and machetes, but intellectual and moral weapons without which lasting results can never be secured. One other important issue worth mentioning, if even in passing, is the slur of ghettoes. Ghettoes have been known to provide safe havens for criminals and traps for the vulnerable youth especially the homeless, poverty stricken and those from hot spots. Ghettoes do not only provide fertile grounds for criminals, they also provide them with the opportunity to recruit vulnerable youth to their fold. There is no doubt that, policies have no legs to walk on into reality. The traditional track for their movement into reality is through programmes deliberately designed and religiously adhered to. On the other hand, institutions implement programmes. Thus the stronger, effective and resourceful an institution is, the better the programmes are implemented and consequently the effectiveness of the policy in the lives of the intended target. The media, with its reach, the ability to set agenda, and its 'god' status in the eyes of society should attempt to educate the youth on family values to the society. Debates could be generated on the essence of the family unit among others to psyche society up by highlighting the inherent beauty of the family system. The time has come for chieftaincy institution, to reassert its traditional duties to the youth and society. This is a call for grassroot education where chiefs and sub-chiefs would engage their societies in meaningful 'Nim-tree' and Baobab-tree discussions to establish codes and reinstate the position of the family in the society and more importantly to the youth. Two critical programmes, which could provide substantive and long-term opportunities to the youth, should centre on Incubation Centres and National Employment Programme. Traditionally, incubation centres give office space and technical advice in the early years of start-ups with the capacity, by design, to support any area of entrepreneurial direction government policies indicates. The high level of expertise required to successfully manage a business, coupled with the cost of rent, makes it necessary for the government, either singularly or in partnership, to support the culture of the business incubation centres. These incubation centres should be established with the core goal of providing the necessary technical support and protection for young entrepreneurs during the critical early stages of their businesses. As a matter of national priority, African leaders need to build and empower youth entrepreneurs. The issue of job centres with an online option would enhance the job search and security of the youth. That is to say, the government should establish job centres on campuses....
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, delivered remarks at an event celebrating International Youth Day. He emphasized the importance of investing in and empowering youth. His administration places a high priority on youth development and has programs to train and employ young people through opportunities in agriculture, small businesses, and other ventures. He urged the youth to embrace dialogue over confrontation and asked all stakeholders to work together to provide opportunities that will help develop Ekiti State's youth.
PCI Media is a non-profit that uses strategic communication including television, radio, and digital media to promote social change. In 2018, highlights included launching an LGBT human rights campaign in the Caribbean funded by the EU, and two cooking shows in Peru and Bangladesh through partnerships with the World Food Program to address malnutrition. PCI Media won 11 awards for its work and had its highest annual budget to date, allowing expansion of programs and staff.
This document provides an overview of volunteering in America based on a report from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Some key points:
- 26.5% of American adults volunteered through an organization in 2012, totaling 64.5 million volunteers and 7.9 billion hours of service worth an estimated $175 billion.
- Volunteering remains strong across generations, with Generation X showing the highest rate at 33.5% and those over 65 volunteering the most hours per year on average.
- Working mothers volunteer at a higher rate than the overall population, at 33.5% for those with children under 18 compared to 26.5% overall.
The document discusses the introduction of a new nonprofit page in the Long Beach Business Journal. It provides the following key details:
1) The executive director of the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership met with George Economides of the Third Sector and they agreed to dedicate the last page of each Business Journal issue to nonprofit issues and perspectives.
2) The new "Nonprofit Page" will highlight important nonprofit topics through contributions from sector leaders and provide a way to better connect nonprofits and businesses.
3) The executive director hopes the page will spark more communication, collaboration and partnerships between nonprofits and other community partners to make 2015 a successful year for Long Beach nonprofits.
Youth work helps young people learn about themselves and society through informal educational activities that combine enjoyment, challenge, and learning. It takes place wherever young people gather, such as youth centers and parks. Youth work seeks to promote young people's personal and social development by giving them a voice and influence in their communities. Local authorities are responsible for securing youth work in their areas and integrating it into children's services through children's trusts.
The document outlines the vision, mission, values and promise of the SABC to serve as a public broadcaster focused on total citizen empowerment in South Africa. It discusses setting the scene for the SABC's social report, including introductory comments and a statement by the Group Chief Executive Officer emphasizing the SABC's role in nation-building, democracy, and empowering citizens. It then highlights key findings from interviews with citizens who have benefited from expanded television and radio access, including positive impacts on health awareness, cultural understanding, and community connections.
Identification of Opportunities for Norwegian Businesses in Enhancement of Va...RICHARDBONYO1
Played a key research role and provided technical drafting services for the Identification of Opportunities for Norwegian
Businesses in Enhancement of Value Chains in the Kenyan Agriculture Sector
INVESTMENT BOOKLET FINAL COPY REVISED 2 FOR PUBLICATION-1.pdfRICHARDBONYO1
Marketing of Investment Opportunities in Homa Bay County, Kenya was one of my passionate areas of concern while serving as Policy and Resource Mobilization Advisor in the Executive Office of the Governor of Homa Bay County (2018 - 2022). It still remains my area of great interest to market Homa Bay County as the destination of choice for investors (FDIs and LDIs).
The Homa Bay International Investment Conference report summarizes the proceedings of the inaugural conference held from February 18-19, 2016 in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The main objective of the conference was to attract strategic investors and venture capitalists for priority sector projects in Homa Bay County's Strategic Investment Plan. Over 200 local and international investors attended, along with government officials and private sector players. The conference included panel discussions on opportunities for women in business, counties as investment frontiers, and launching the county's Strategic Investment Plan. This resulted in several memoranda of understanding being signed between investors and the county government.
OGANDE SPECIAL SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN.docxRICHARDBONYO1
As a Chairman of the Board of Management for Ogande Special School for the Mentally Handicapped, one of my core duty is to ensure both physical infrastructure development and provision of quality competency-based curriculum to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders admitted at the school.
I provided professional consultancy services towards the development of the Kenya Youth Manifesto (2022 - 2027) on behalf of the Kenya Youth Senate and Horn of Africa Youth Network
I hold Masters of Arts in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and a PhD Candidate at the University of Nairobi in the School of Business and Management Science, undertaking advanced Degree in Project Planning and Management (Specializing in Project Planning, Design and Implementation).
Combined Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Vessel List.Christina Parmionova
The best available, up-to-date information on all fishing and related vessels that appear on the illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing vessel lists published by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and related organisations. The aim of the site is to improve the effectiveness of the original IUU lists as a tool for a wide variety of stakeholders to better understand and combat illegal fishing and broader fisheries crime.
To date, the following regional organisations maintain or share lists of vessels that have been found to carry out or support IUU fishing within their own or adjacent convention areas and/or species of competence:
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT)
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO)
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO)
South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO)
Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
The Combined IUU Fishing Vessel List merges all these sources into one list that provides a single reference point to identify whether a vessel is currently IUU listed. Vessels that have been IUU listed in the past and subsequently delisted (for example because of a change in ownership, or because the vessel is no longer in service) are also retained on the site, so that the site contains a full historic record of IUU listed fishing vessels.
Unlike the IUU lists published on individual RFMO websites, which may update vessel details infrequently or not at all, the Combined IUU Fishing Vessel List is kept up to date with the best available information regarding changes to vessel identity, flag state, ownership, location, and operations.
AHMR is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed online journal created to encourage and facilitate the study of all aspects (socio-economic, political, legislative and developmental) of Human Mobility in Africa. Through the publication of original research, policy discussions and evidence research papers AHMR provides a comprehensive forum devoted exclusively to the analysis of contemporaneous trends, migration patterns and some of the most important migration-related issues.
This report explores the significance of border towns and spaces for strengthening responses to young people on the move. In particular it explores the linkages of young people to local service centres with the aim of further developing service, protection, and support strategies for migrant children in border areas across the region. The report is based on a small-scale fieldwork study in the border towns of Chipata and Katete in Zambia conducted in July 2023. Border towns and spaces provide a rich source of information about issues related to the informal or irregular movement of young people across borders, including smuggling and trafficking. They can help build a picture of the nature and scope of the type of movement young migrants undertake and also the forms of protection available to them. Border towns and spaces also provide a lens through which we can better understand the vulnerabilities of young people on the move and, critically, the strategies they use to navigate challenges and access support.
The findings in this report highlight some of the key factors shaping the experiences and vulnerabilities of young people on the move – particularly their proximity to border spaces and how this affects the risks that they face. The report describes strategies that young people on the move employ to remain below the radar of visibility to state and non-state actors due to fear of arrest, detention, and deportation while also trying to keep themselves safe and access support in border towns. These strategies of (in)visibility provide a way to protect themselves yet at the same time also heighten some of the risks young people face as their vulnerabilities are not always recognised by those who could offer support.
In this report we show that the realities and challenges of life and migration in this region and in Zambia need to be better understood for support to be strengthened and tuned to meet the specific needs of young people on the move. This includes understanding the role of state and non-state stakeholders, the impact of laws and policies and, critically, the experiences of the young people themselves. We provide recommendations for immediate action, recommendations for programming to support young people on the move in the two towns that would reduce risk for young people in this area, and recommendations for longer term policy advocacy.
The Antyodaya Saral Haryana Portal is a pioneering initiative by the Government of Haryana aimed at providing citizens with seamless access to a wide range of government services
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
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Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
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United Nations World Oceans Day 2024; June 8th " Awaken new dephts".Christina Parmionova
The program will expand our perspectives and appreciation for our blue planet, build new foundations for our relationship to the ocean, and ignite a wave of action toward necessary change.
2. MINISTRY OF CULTURE,
SPORTS AND TOURISM
HOMA BAY COUNTY
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Empowering Youth for
Self -Reliance and
Enhanced Participation
in Governance and
Leadership in Homa
Bay County
3.3.3. Inter-MinisterialSteeringCommittee
The Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy, in recognition of the County's Policy
on Networking, Collaboration and Partnership for Sustainable Development, also
proposes the establishment of an inter-ministerial steering committee on youth
development and empowerment comprising representatives of relevant ministries
dealing with youth issues. The committee will monitor and review the youth activities
carried out by various players in Homa Bay County as stipulated in the Youth
Development and Empowerment Action Plan that shall be developed from time to time
to implement this Policy. The steering committee will also budget for and ensure
resources are availed to ensure effective Policy Implementation and coordination. The
youth policy shall be reviewed at least once in every ive years and in line with other
governmentpolicystatementsbytheinter-ministerialsteeringcommittee.
CONCLUSION
The youth can no longer be termed as leaders of tomorrowthey must be aided to lead and be seen
to lead today than never before. They must be seen as today's leaders and champions of the
change we want to see in our society and the nation at-large. Planning cannot continue without
involving the youth, especially those who are in dif icult circumstances, in all the sectors of the
economy.Theyouthhavearighttoparticipateinissuesthataffecttheirlifeandtoexploittheirfull
potential, especially on leadership and governance. They also have responsibilities that must not
be relegated to the older generations. This policy seeks to provide exactly that opportunity for
improving the quality of life for Youth in Homa Bay County while expanding opportunities in
virtually all spheres of their life and that of their environment. It will cater for all categories of
youth as outlined in this Policy without discrimination and or favor. The policy seeks to promote
youthparticipationindemocraticprocessesaswellasincommunityandcivicaffairsinHomaBay
County using legally established legal structures. It also advocates for the creation of a supportive
social,cultural,economicandpoliticalenvironmentthatwillempowertheyouthtobepartnersin
development and not mere recipients of government and development partners programs and
policies. The policy seeks to exploit the favourable policy of structure networking, collaboration
and partnership being fronted by the County Government of Homa Bay in its quest to enlist wider
stakeholder involvement in the realization of the vision of Homa Bay County, that is, “to be an
industrialized,wealthyandhealthycounty”
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Prepared by:
1.Mr. Richard Ochieng Bonyo
2.Mr. David Ajumbo
3.Dr. Isaac Abuya
4.Mr. George Opiata Ogada
3. FOREWORD
Youth are the foundation and a pillar of a society. Their energy, innovativeness, resourcefulness,
character and orientation de ine the pace of development and the security of a society and a
nation. Through their creative talents and labor/man power, a society/nation makes giant strides
in economic development and socio-political actualizations. In their dreams, aspirations and
hopes, a nation inds her anchorage and motivation; and on their energies, a nation builds her
vitality and sense of pride and a purpose. And because of their dreams and aspirations, the future
ofanationisassuredand irmlysecured.
It is for this reason that the formulation and implementation of a viable Homa Bay County Youth
Development Policy is not only a moral responsibility of the County Government and its
leadershipbutalsoimperativeforanymeaningfulsocial,economicalandpoliticaldevelopmentof
Homa Bay County as it is to our beloved Nation of Kenya. It is the conviction of the County
Government of Homa Bay that youth constitute its only real hope for a great future as we strive to
realizetheinherentbene itsofadevolvedgovernmentinKenya.
TheMinistryofYouth,CultureandTourismhasthereforetakenacriticallookattheplightofHoma
Bay County youth and prepared a consensus blue print for their holistic development and
empowerment.
In preparing the Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy, consultations were held through
various governance structures with the County Government of Homa Bay with relevant
stakeholders through the of ice of His Excellency the Governor, Of ice the County Assembly
Members and with the various youth forums. Their reconciled views overtime formed and
informedthebasisofthisPolicyDocument.
The policy objectives enunciated in the Document will provide guidelines for the strategies to be
adopted in the systematic implementation and administration of the policy provisions. This
CountyYouthDevelopmentPolicyrepresentsanimportantmilestone–notonlyforyoungwomen
and men of Homa Bay County, but for our country too. It is a cause for celebration and dedication.
Celebration,becauseforthe irsttimeinthehistoryofKenya,theaspirations,needsand
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, Sports and Tourism of Homa Bay County shall spearhead
the overall policy implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review, in addition to
mobilizing resources necessary for the implementation of the Policy and its enabling
Action Plans. Partnerships within the different organizations will in this endeavor play a
keyroleinachievingthepolicy'sgoalsandobjectives.
To ensure effective implementation, the policy recognizes the need to strengthen and
support the National Youth Council (Homa Bay Chapter) established vide the National
Youth Council Act (No. 10 of 2009) through an elaborate institutional development and
strengthening programs aimed at giving the necessary enabling environment for the
HomaBayCountyYouthCounciltoplayitsrightfulroleinmobilizingtheyouthforpositive
action in Homa Bay County according to the provisions of the National Youth Council Act
LawsofKenya.
The mandate of the Homa Bay County Youth Council as established under the National
Youth Council Act will include co-ordination of youth organizations, designing and
continuously reviewing the Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy and developing
an "integrated Homa Bay County Youth Development Action Plan" in collaboration with
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, Sports and Tourism of Homa Bay County. The Homa Bay
County Youth Council will act as an advisory, research and policy institution on youth
affairsintheHomaBayCounty.Primarily,theHomaBayCountyYouthCouncilwill:
i. PromoteandpopularizetheHomaBayCountyYouthDevelopmentPolicyandits
enablingActionPlans;
ii. Ensurestructuresareestablishedanddevelopedforeffectiveimplementationof
thepolicyanditsActionPlans;
iii. Design key performance indicators and mechanisms to ensure adherence to
policybyallstakeholders.
3.3.2. Micro-ImplementationMechanism
A partnership between Homa Bay County Youth Council and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture,
Sports and Social Servicesof Homa Bay County will be created with speci ic functions and mandates
toinclude:
i. Mobilize, sensitize and organize the youth in Homa Bay County under one umbrella for
political, economic and socio-cultural development activities (Gainfully involve the youth
inactivitiesthatarebene icialtothemandthenationatlarge).
iii. Promote relations between youth organizations and other bodies inside and outside
Kenyawithsimilarobjectivesorinterests.
iv. Inspireandpromotethespiritofunity,patriotismandvolunteerismintheyouth.
v. Act as a voice and bridge to ensure that the Government and other policy makers are kept
informedoftheviewsandaspirationsoftheyouth.
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4. conditions of young women and men have been formally recognized and articulated through a
major policy initiative championed by the County Government through the Ministry of Youth,
Culture and Tourism of Homa Bay County. Dedication because, if the vision and strategies outlined
in this Policy are to become reality, we must all dedicate ourselves to the development and
empowermentofouryoungmenandwomenbywalkingthetalkandnototherwayround
Inthepast,norecognitionwasgiventotheneedsandconcernsofyoungmenandwomen,whowere
instead, left to ind their own way in a dif icult and ever changing society, an experience that saw
many young men and women lose focus of their hard earned life achievements and endowments.
Todaywecancelebratethevisionoftherolesyoungwomenandmenplayinourcountyandcountry
at large. Where young people contribute to the development of their county and realize their full
potential,itislikelythatsustainabledevelopmentislikelytobearealityandnotanopticalillusion.
We are all therefore challenged by this Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy that Youth
development cannot be left to the young alone. We must all play a role – the young and the old,
government and development partners alike. We are challenged to recognize the contribution we
must all make to develop our young women and men. We must recognize the contributions young
people make to our society and build upon their imagination, dreams, vision, energy, vibrancy and
talents of all young women and men. In doing this we shall squarely address the factors which
threatenthedevelopmentofyoungpeople.
Tomainstreamyouthagendaindevelopmentplanningandresourcemobilizationandallocation,an
effective youth development policy must be responsive to national interests in the ever changing
global environment. Consequently, the County Government of Homa Bay humbly appeals to all its
stakeholders to embrace this Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy, giving life and meaning
tothevisionanddirectionithasset,thatis“Tobeanindustrialized,wealthyandhealthyCounty”.
By working together – young and old, government and community, business and youth
development organizations; international investors and grant makers, we can redress the legacies
ofthepast,dealwiththechallengesofthepresent,andfocusonachievingabrighter,fullerfuturefor
allouryoungmenandwomen.
My Ministry is indebted to Mr. Richard Ochieng Bonyo (Policy & Resource Mobilization Advisor),
Of ice of the Governor; Mr. David Ajumbo (Personal Assistant to the Governor); Dr. Isaac Odhiambo
Abuya, Chief of Staff/Principal Secretary and Mr. Opiata Ogada (Chief Of icer), Ministry of Culture,
SportsandTourismfortheirvaluableroleindevelopingthispolicy.
DorothyOkello
CountyExecutiveCommitteeMember,
MinistryofYouth,CultureandTourism
Sexual activity among the youth begins quite early in their life. Over 44% of girls
between 15-19 years old have had sexual intercourse. Sex at this age has adverse effects
on health, besides other socio-economic consequences. Studies have shown that most
adolescent pregnancies (around 90%) are unplanned. High level of unprotected sexual
activity exposes the female youth to the risk of contracting STIs, including HIV/AIDS.
The lower level of education for girls, coupled with social cultural practices such as
female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriages, put the female youth at a
disadvantage.Theyhaveledtolowparticipationandrepresentationofyoungwomenin
decision-making. Traditional gender roles over-burden the female youth, limiting their
opportunitiesforprogressionandself-development.
3.2.5. Theunemployedyouth
Unemployment brings along with it social ills such as crime and alcohol and drug abuse.
Both the Government and non-governmental agencies must address this problem. The
unemployed youth should be provided with access to services and support
programmesandopportunitiesforfurthertraining.
3.2.6. Out-of-schoolyouth
The out of school youth have special needs in terms of access to socio-economic and
other opportunities. The increasing disparity between the annual output of school
leavers and the job creation in the economy has resulted in high unemployment levels
among the youth. Unemployment, which is mainly as a result of rapid population
growth and increased pressure on land, is exacerbated by imbalance of skills among the
youth caused by the education system and over-reliance by Kenya's industries on
foreigntechnologies.
3.3. PolicyImplementationMechanisms
3.3.1. MacroImplementationMechanism
The policy shall be implemented through an action plan detailing strategies, activities,
targetgroups,timeframeandthebudgetlines.
Implementation will require involvement of all agencies and stakeholders dealing with
the youth under the coordination and technical back-stopping of the Ministry of Youth,
Culture,SportsandTourismandrelatedlineMinistriesofHomaBayCounty.
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be the main agency in
implementing the Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy. Non-governmental
organizations, the private sector community, international development partners,
donors and various youth organizations will provide the necessary inancial and
technical assistance aids in implementing the Homa Bay County Youth Development
Policyanditsactionplans.
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3
5. Table of Contents
FOREWORD 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8
CHAPTER ONE: 9
INTRODUCTION 9
1.1. Introduction 9
1.2. De inition of the Youth 10
1.3. Issues Affecting the Youth in Homa Bay County 10
1.3.1. Unemployment and underemployment 10
1.3.2. Health related problems 10
1.3.3. Increasing school and college drop - out rates 11
1.3.4. Crime, Recidivism, Addiction toDrugs and Deviant Social Behavior 11
1.3.5. Limited sports and recreation facilities 11
1.3.6. Abuse and exploitation 11
1.3.7. Limited participation and lack of opportunities in the public domain 12
1.3.8. Limited and poor housing 12
1.3.9. Limited access to information and communication technology (ICT) 12
1.4. Purpose of the Policy 12
1.4.1. Vision of the Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy 12
1.4.2. Motto of Policy 12
1.4.3. Policy Goal and Objectives 13
1.4.3.1. Policy Goals 13
1.4.3.2. Goals Elaboration and Explanation 13
1.4.3.3. Policy Objectives 13
1.4.3.4. Core Focus of Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy 14
CHAPTER TWO 14
PRINCIPLES AND VALUES UNDERLYING THE HOMA BAY COUNTY YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT POLICY 14
2.1. Fundamental Principles Underpinning the Policy 14
2.2. Rights, Responsibilities and Obligations of the Youth in Ensuring the Success
of the Goals of this Policy
2.2.1. Rights of youth
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15
3.2. PRIORITYTARGETGROUPS
This policy document is a basis for developing opportunities for all the youth in Homa Bay
County. However, in addressing the needs of the youth in the County, special attention shall
be paid to certain groups because of their speci ic needs. In each of the target areas, the
County Government of Homa Bay and its collaborating partners and associates dealing
withtheyouthwillgivespecialattentionto:
3.2.1. Youthwithdisability
Formanyyouthadisabilityleadstorejection,isolationanddiscrimination,hinderingtheir
psychological and emotional development. Young men and women with disability require
speci icstrategiestoensuretheyparticipatefullyinsociety.Specialmeasureswillbeputin
place to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed. The policy adopts a
developmental approach to youth with disability where human rights, participation and
inclusiveness are promoted. The policy advocates greater awareness of the issues faced by
young women and men who are mentally or/and physically, visually impaired or have a
hearingimpairment.
3.2.2. Streetyouth
Due to the breakdown of the social fabric street families have continued to increase. From
street boys and girls we now have street youth and families. These are people who live
and/or work in the streets, many of them due to homelessness. The street youth are
especially vulnerable as they lack protection, supervision or direction from responsible
adults. The policy advocates re-integration and rehabilitation of street youth in the
communitiesandstrengtheningoffamilysystems.
3.3.3. YouthinfectedwithHIV/AIDS
The age group 15-30 has been affected the most by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The youth are
exposed to the HIV/AIDS due to biological, socio-cultural and economic factors. The high
rate of teenage pregnancies, abortions, school drop-out and sexually transmitted diseases
con irm that the youth are engaging in sex early, increasingly being exposed to HIV/AIDS.
The policy advocates community-and home-based care and positive living for this target
group. Due to high HIV prevalence in Homa Bay County, there is an urgent need for
stakeholders to develop unique interventions to reverse the high prevalence rates,
eradicate stigma and discrimination related to HIV infection, ensure zero new HIV
infection,ZeromothertochildtransmissionofHIVandzeroAIDsrelateddeaths.
3.2.4. FemaleYouth
The female youth constitute 52% of total youth in Kenya. The situation is not different in
Homa Bay County where the percentage of the female youth is 56% of the total youth
population according to 2009 National Population and Housing Census.
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6. 2.2.4. Obligations of the County Government of Homa Bay 17
2.2.5. Obligations of the private sector and civil society organizations 17
CHAPTER THREE 18
POLICY DEVELOPMENT PREMISE & JUSTIFICATION 18
3.1. Justi ication for the Homa Bay County Youth Policy 18
3.1.1. Democracy, Governance and Con lict 18
3.1.2. Livelihoods, Enterprise and Employment 19
3.1.3. Health and Wellbeing 19
3.1.4. Capacity Development (Education and Training) 20
3.2. PRIORITY TARGET GROUPS 22
3.2.1. Youth with disability 22
3.2.2. Street youth 22
3.2.3. Youth infected with HIV/AIDS 22
3.2.4. Female Youth 23
3.2.5. The unemployed youth 23
3.2.6. Out-of-school youth 23
3.3. Policy Implementation Mechanisms 23
3.3.1. Macro Implementation Mechanism 23
3.3.2. Micro -Implementation Mechanism 25
3.3.3. Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee 25
CONCLUSION 25
· AccordingtotheIEA/UNICEFReport(2013),almost2millionyouth(15–30years)
are out of school and the majority has no regular work or income, making them
vulnerable to recruitment into political campaigns and criminal gangs including
terrorism groups like Al Shabaab. Due to this exclusion, the report highlighted
present youth frustrations and failed expectations, due to lack of opportunity for
regularemployment.
· An observation from the IEA/UNICEF Report reveals that socio-economic issues
connected to unemployment, education and poverty are the key issues in the
vulnerabilityofyouth.Accordingtothereport,thereisanin luxofyouthfromrural
areas to urban areas in search of better livelihoods. The report asserts that there is
a large and increasing urban population which accounts for 32 percent of the
population of those aged (15-30) with a rapid rate of urbanization which is unable
to provide employment opportunities to the75 percent out of school youth who do
nothaveregular,fulltimeemployment.
· Youth vulnerability in Kenya is traced to the colonial and post colonial Kenyan
experience. The report suggests that youth need to be mentored and proposes a
stable community with leadership from adults that guides youth's social,
economic, cultural, and spiritual development in an increasingly nurturing and
supportivecommunityenvironment.
· In an attempt to address the issues affecting the youth in Homa Bay County and
thereby implement some of the recommendations drawn from the IEA/UNICEF
2013 Report, the County Government of Homa Bay now prepares this Policy
Document to guide the resource mobilization efforts and develop inter-ministerial
strategies aimed at strategically addressing challenges facing the youth in Homa
Bay County. The policy paper is an of icial position statement of the County
Government of Homa Bay to further exploit its policy of multi-stakeholder
approachtoimprovethestatusoftheyouthinHomaBayCounty.
2.2.2. Responsibilities and obligations of the youth in Homa Bay County 16
16
2.2.3. Obligations of leaders, adults and parents of Homa Bay County
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5
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy is a framework for youth development and
empowerment across the entire county of Homa Bay. It endeavors to ensure that all young
women and men are given meaningful and productive opportunities to reach their full potential,
both as individuals and as active participants in society through their formal and informal
structures. The Policy addresses the major concerns and issues critical to young men and women
in Homa Bay County and gives direction to youth programmes and services provided by the
county government and non-governmental organizations operating in Homa Bay County.
Through the Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy, the county government of Homa Bay
declares the importance of the active involvement of young people in the pursuit of the County
DevelopmentAgenda,demonstratingthedistinctiveandcomplementaryrolesofallnationaland
county government ministries, the non-governmental (civil society) sector and youth groups in
promoting and advancing youth development; providing a framework with common goals for
development and promoting a spirit of co-operation, collaboration, networking and
coordination.
HomaBayCountystandstobene itthroughtheimplementationoftheYouthDevelopmentPolicy.
By placing young people in the broader context of County development programming, the Youth
Development Policy highlights the importance of youth development to nation building with a
particular special focus on the development of Homa Bay County as a County of Choice and a
preferredInvestmentHubinWesternKenyaregion.
Young women and men are not only a major resource and inheritors of future society; they are
also active contributors to the nature of society we desire to live in today than never before. The
Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy recognizes and values young women and men as a
key resource and invaluable asset and places their needs and aspirations central to the
development of Homa Bay County. It provides a foundation and mechanism for youth
participation in socio-economic development whilst recognizing that young people should be
protagonists of their own development and not merely recipients of government or donor
support. It enables the County Government of Homa Bay to give a special priority to youth
development and empowerment and display its commitment to youth development and
empowerment through the creation of appropriate policy implementation mechanisms,
structures, strategies and the mobilization and allocation of suf icient resources for this vital
cause. The Policy therefore sensitizes government institutions and civil society toward youth
developmentandacknowledgestheinitiativesofyoungmenandwomen.
3.1.3. HealthandWellbeing
• Youth consider that their health problems have been too narrowly de ined as
sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS. They view health from a broad
perspective, which includes personal health; community and environmental
conditions; and psycho-social well-being, including values of integrity, caring,
unity indiversity,spiritualpurpose,and livesofservice,aswellasrecreation and
sports. Youth activities and organizations, they feel, should engage in activities
thatpromotethesevalues.
• Thereisahighlevelofsexualabuseofgirlsandyoungwomen,withmorethan20
percent becoming mothers before the age of 16 years, and a much higher
percentagewhosufferthroughabortions.
• There are many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based
organizations (CBOs) who began working on these issues, particularly those
funded to combat HIV/AIDS that have evolved into multi-functional, youth
serving organizations, addressing livelihoods, public advocacy, and capacity
building.
• Youth feel that most existing health services are not “youth friendly,” and they
would like to be able to access information and treatment from “one-stop,
friendly”healthservicesthatarebothcon identialandtrustworthy.
3.1.4. CapacityDevelopment(EducationandTraining)
· There are 155,000 youth enrolled in formal technical, entrepreneurial, and
vocational training institutions, yet many do not obtain the competencies needed to
be successful in micro-enterprise, nor do they easily ind employment in the formal
sector. There are many more youth who are involved in non-formal education
experiences, often linked to the development of micro-enterprise. Yet there is little
inter-organizationalsharingandnoqualitycontrolofNon-FormalEducation(NFE).
· Out of school youth want and need ways of achieving competencies that are practical
and recognized as legitimate. This is a matter of high priority for Kenya's
development, and for the growth of opportunity for youth. The Ministry of Higher
Education, Science, and Technology has proposed to Parliament the development of a
NationalQuali icationsFramework(NQF)toaddressthiscriticalneed.
· The report adequately captured the voices of young people with regard to
vulnerability. However, it omitted a substantial discussion on poverty, equity (with
regards to access of resources and opportunities), crime and drugs which are some of
the glaring causes of risk among young people especially in Homa Bay County which
currentlyisleadinginHIVprevalencenationallyaccordingtoNACCReport(2013).
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8. At all levels, the Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy will ensure that county government
authorities and governance structures work in a cooperative and harmonious manner when
designing and delivering programmes and services which address youth development and empowerment
needs and opportunities. Furthermore, the Policy will encourage an understanding amongst young men and
women of the processes of governance and provide opportunities for their participation in County
Development Planning, Budget Process, Budget Tracking and Participatory Development Needs
Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation, thus enabling young women and men to play a positive role in
governance, leadership and in promoting sustainable development built on a more accountable and
transparentgovernanceandmanagementofpublicaffairsinHomaBayCounty.
At least eight thematic areas have been identied as being of critical importance when addressing youth
issues in Homa Bay County. TheYouth Policy provides a foundation and direction for a Homa Bay County
Youth Action Plan that will follow this policy document. This plan will have a number of action plans in
each of these identied thematic youth development areas of concern. This Plan will complement the
National Youth Policy and will describe the role of all agencies engaged in youth development and the
programmes, services, facilities and activities they undertake to achieve the goals and objectives of the
Policy.
The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Tourism recognizes that the implementation of the youth policy poses
several challenges, which may be beyond the Ministry's realm of control. However, there is a strong
commitment to making optimal efforts in meeting these challenges through enhanced structured
partnerships, collaborations, networking and public engagement mechanisms. There is need therefore to
partner with all stakeholders in contributing to the implementation of the Homa Bay County Youth
DevelopmentPolicybycontinuouslyreectingon emergingrealitiesandconcernsoftheyouth.
The Ministry takes this opportunity to thank all those who fully participated by providing professional and
technical support in the process of formulating the policy. Particular mention goes to Mr. Richard Ochieng
Bonyo – Resource Mobilization and Policy Development Ofce in the Ofce of H.E. The Governor, Mr.
DavidAjumbo – PersonalAssistant to H.E. the Governor, Mr. IsaacAbuya – the Chief of Staff in the Ofce
of H.E. the Governor and Hon. George Opiata Ogada – Chief Ofcer, Ministry of Youth, Culture and
Tourism. Moreover, we are indebted to the national governmental organizations, international
development agencies (especially GTZ, UNDP AND UNICEF), NGOs and all bodies which indirectly
provided support through their well researched reports on the status of the youth in Kenya. It is through
thesereportsthatthetenetsofthisPolicywerehatchedanddelivered.
………………………………………….
H.E. Hon. Cyprian OtienoAwiti
Governor, HomaBayCounty
CHAPTER THREE
POLICY DEVELOPMENT PREMISE & JUSTIFICATION
3.1. Justi icationfortheHomaBayCountyYouthPolicy
The Youth Situation Review and Investment in Kenya by Institute of Economic Affairs
(IEA) and UNICEF (2013) observed the following about the situation of youth in Kenya
and that were contributing to their volatile and precarious behaviors as well as to their
vulnerability to social behavior outages. These indings have guided and informed the
decision of the County Government of Homa Bay to develop this policy document. The
indingsareexcerptedandexplainedasfollows:-
3.1.1. Democracy,GovernanceandCon lict
• Youth feel acutely disempowered by existing governance structures and
procedures, where they often have only token representation, and where
policiesarenotimplementedasstatedduetoahighlevelofcorruption.
• There is lack of appropriate information about policies, programs, and
opportunities,andagooddealofmisinformation.
3.1.2. Livelihoods,EnterpriseandEmployment
• Although there are thousands of registered youth organizations, they do not
necessarily reach the most vulnerable, their impact is highly variable, and
many are short-lived and dependent on a single source of inancing or
support.
• Kenya's informal enterprise sector, jua kali, has grown to engage some 70
percentofthelaborforce,albeitofteninpart-time,underpaid,andshort-term
status. Given the very low growth of employment in the formal sector, the
growthofmicroenterpriseprovidesthebestopportunityforyouthlivelihood.
• Thegrowthandspreadofmicro- inancinginKenyaisremarkable,providinga
strongbasefor inancingstart-up,small-scale,youth-organizedenterprise.
• Youth who become engaged in viable micro-enterprise move through what is
termedas“ThreeStageYouthEnterpriseDevelopmentProcess,”startingwith
assessments and often voluntary service projects, then moving onto informal
money-earning activities, and ending with micro- inance and viable
enterprise.Itisaprocessthattypicallytakesuptothreeyears.
• There are hundreds, if not thousands, of youth-led informal enterprises and
organizationsthataresuccessful(andevenmorethatarenotsustained).
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9. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy comes in the face of a myriad of challenges
facing the youth in Kenya. Although the number of organizations dealing with young people has
increased over the years, the lack of a comprehensive policy in Homa Bay County ever since the
inauguration of the irst ever County Government System makes it dif icult for these groups to
effectivelyaddressthesechallenges.
The Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy is aimed at ensuring the youth play their role,
alongsideadults,inthedevelopmentofthepursuitofsustainabledevelopmentoftheCounty.The
policy's goal is to promote youth participation in community and civic affairs and to ensure that
youth programmes are youth-centric. The policy proposes guidelines and strategies that can be
used to facilitate participation of the youth in fast tracking social, economic and political
developmentofHomaBayCounty.
The policy also spells out the strategic areas that must be addressed in order for Homa Bay
County's young people to effectively play their rightful role in nation building, particularly in
Homa Bay County. These areas are: Employment creation, health, education and training, sports
andrecreation,theenvironment,artandculture,themediaandparticipationandempowerment.
Theyouthareclassi iedintoprioritytargetgroupstomakeiteasiertotacklechallengesuniqueto
each group. The priority groups are: Youth with disability, street youth, and youth infected with
HIV/AIDS,femaleyouth,unemployedyouthandoutofschoolyouth.
The implementation action plan to followthis policy is to ensure that the policy becomes a reality
through thematic areas planning and resource mobilization and allocation. It suggests the need
tostrengthentheNationalYouthCouncilstructuresinHomaBayCountytofacilitate,co-ordinate,
monitor, advocate and promote youth issues and youth-led initiatives in Homa Bay County, under
the ministry in charge of Youth, Culture and Tourism. The Institutional Framework so adopted
will minimize duplicity and enhance ef iciency and effectiveness of service delivery to the youth.
It is in this light that the policy proposes that the youth division be upgraded into a department to
effectivelyspearheadtheprocesswithinthealreadyestablishedyouthgovernancestructures.
The policy will be revised every ive years and as and when other national government policy
documentsarerevisedandorproducedbytheCabinet.
vi. Trainandsocializetheyouthintodifferentskillsandleadershipdomains
vii. Provide inancialsupporttoyouthprojects
viii. Offer room for youth participation at all levels of leadership, governance and
administrationoftheiraffairs
ix. Assisttheyouthtorealizetheirgoalsandfullpotential.
2.2.4. ObligationsoftheCountyGovernmentofHomaBay
It is the obligation of the County Government of Homa Bay in collaboration with the
National Government of the Republic of Kenya to ensure that all its citizens are served to
their expectations in accordance with the legal and regulatory framework in Kenya. The
County Government, through the County Assembly of Homa Bay shall develop favorable
legislations and through the Ministry of Youth, Culture, Sports and Tourism, carefully plan
and be involved in developing youth-centered action-plans aimed at developing the youth
to be responsible and available to contribute to the current and future Homa Bay County
development efforts. Speci ically, the County Government of Homa Bay (County Executive
andCountyAssembly)shallbe:-
i. Be the lead agent in supporting the implementation of the Homa Bay County
Youth Development Policy. This support will cover all the other areas, such as
creation of suf icient legal and regulatory frameworks, creation of employment
opportunities for the youth, expanding training and education facilities for
increased access by the youth and improving health facilities to ensure that they
are youth-friendly and able to meet and surpass the unique healthcare needs of
theyouthinHomaBayCounty.
ii. EnsurethattheyouthenjoytheirStaterights
iii. Providethenecessaryframeworkforyoungpeopletoful illtheirobligations
iv. Createamechanismandopportunitiesforinvolvementofyouthininternship.
2.2.5. Obligationsoftheprivatesectorandcivilsocietyorganizations
The private sector (members of the corporate world and the civil society family) shall take
a very crucial role in the overall job creation and employment of the youth; engage in
entrepreneurial development; provision of information and transfer of technology and
skills, linking the youth organizations and forums to local and international development
assistance frameworks as well as initiative micro-development and youth empowerment
projects at the grassroots level. In all these, the County Government of Homa Bay shall
encourage and create enabling investment and development environment to attract
investment from the private sector community while encouraging them to exploit the
Homa Bay County's Policy on Networking, Collaboration and Partnership for Sustainable
Development within the overall policy framework on Public-Private Sector Partnership
(PPP).
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10. CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction
Thenumberofyoungpeopleacrosstheworldisincreasingandtodaytheyarethemajority
in most countries1 including Kenya, where 15 to 34 year olds total 13.66 million,
approximately 35.39% of the population. This proportion of youth is expected to growand
form the bulk of the population in the next 10-20 years, a phenomenon referred to as a
youth bulge. This trend has generated interest among development players hence the
recognition that young people are important players in development. As such, more
literatureonyouthisemergingbutitisscatteredinvariousplacesandeffortstocollateitis
minimal.
TheNationalYouthPolicyinKenyaobservethatKenyansintheagebracketof30yearsand
below constitute about 75% of the country's population, forming the largest source of
human resource. However, they have remained on the periphery of the country's affairs
and their status has not been accorded due recognition. They have been excluded from
designing, planning and implementing programmes and policies that affect them. Many of
the youth who are productive and energetic remain unemployed, continue to suffer from
poor health, and lack suf icient support. Some of them have special needs that require
attention. These include those living on the streets, those living with HIV/AIDS, the girls
andthosewithdisabilities.
According to the National Youth Policy in Kenya, the responsibility of ensuring that the
aspirations and hopes of the youth are met cannot be left in the hands of a single
stakeholder. Everyone in the community, both young and old must play their role. It is for
this reason that the Government of Kenya and other stakeholders embarked on the
development of a comprehensive youth policy. The National Youth Policy recognizes that
the youth are a key resource that can be tapped for the bene it of the whole country. Thus,
the policy endeavors to address issues affecting young people by providing broad-based
strategies that can be used to give the youth meaningful opportunities to reach their
maximum potential. It provides a broad framework within which all stakeholders,
including the private and public sector and civil society, can contribute to youth
development.Thedocumentgoesfurthertosuggestanimplementationmechanism.
viii. Freedomofspeech,expressionandassociation
ix. Participateinmakingdecisionsthataffecttheirlives
x. Protectionfromsocial,economicandpoliticalmanipulation
xi. Ownershipandprotectionofproperty
2.2.2. ResponsibilitiesandobligationsoftheyouthinHomaBayCounty
The policy seeks not only to safeguard the rights of the youth, but also to help them to
understand, appreciate and ful ill their responsibilities, for the development of an
increasingly cohesive, united and purpose driven society. Towards this goal the youth in
HomaBayCountywillberequiredto:-
i. HonorandobeyGod
ii. BepatrioticandloyaltoKenya,HomaBayCountyandpromotethewell-being
andstabilityofthesocietyingeneralandHomaBayCountyinparticular
iii. Contributetosocial-economicdevelopmentatalllevels,includingthrough
volunteerism,internship,industrialattachment,researchpractice,
innovationandcreativityaswellasthroughentrepreneurialskills
exploitation.
iv. Createandpromoterespectforhumanity,sustainpeacefulco-existence,
nationalunityandstability
v. Protect,conserveandnurturetheenvironment
vi. Helptosupportandprotectthosewhoaredisadvantagedandvulnerablein
theirmidst
vii. Promotedemocracyandtheruleoflaw
viii. Creategainfulemployment
ix. Takeadvantageofavailableeducationandtrainingopportunitieswithin
HomaBayCountyandbeyondtodevelopdesirableskills,expertiseand
attitudes
x. Developapositiveattitudetowardsworkandcommunitydevelopment
xi. Avoidcarelessandirresponsiblesexualbehavior.
xii. Takeresponsiblechargeoftheirlives
2.2.3. Obligationsofleaders,adultsandparentsofHomaBayCounty
The strong family ties inherited from our traditional societies and cultural orientation,
which called for mutual respect between the various age groups, have weakened. As a
result, signs of rebellion are visible among a number of youths. The policy spells out
obligationsforleaders,parentsandguardians.Theyshould:-
i. Promoteresponsibleandresponsiveleadership,parentingandguardianshipto
enabletheyouthpursuetheirdreamsinasupportive,nurturingandcaring
society
ii. Providepositiverolemodelsfortheyouth
iii. Provideequalopportunitiesandaccesstofamilytotheyouth,regardlessoftheir
sex
iv. Meetbasicandmaterialneedsoftheyouth
v. Provideguidanceandcounselingtotheyouth
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11. Premised on the general guidelines provided by the National Youth Policy, The Homa
Bay County Youth Development Policy is written in the context of existing sectoral
policies, national development plans, international policies and charters to which
Kenya is a signatory; as central to the holistic integration and inclusion of the youth in
Homa Bay County's development. Cognizance is given to the Charter of United Nations,
the Commonwealth Youth Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United
NationsWorldProgrammefortheYouthtotheyear2000andbeyond,amongothers.
This policy paper is an attempt to address the youth situation in Homa Bay County
towards consolidating resources for youth development and empowerment related
activities including but not limited to youth education, training and capacity
development; youth participation in micro-, small- and medium-enterprise activities;
youth involvement in community volunteerism and development support; youth and
reproductive health; youth and public participation in governance and leadership and
youthandenvironmentalmanagementandconservationamongothers.
1.2. De initionoftheYouth
This policy de ines a Youth as one aged between 15 – 30 years of both sexes. This takes
into account the physical, psychological, cultural, social, biological and political
de initionsofthetermasprovidedfortheConstitutionofKenya2010.
1.3. IssuesAffectingtheYouthinHomaBayCounty
1.3.1. Unemploymentandunderemployment
The economic growth rate has not been suf icient to create enough employment
opportunitiestoabsorbtheincreasinglaborforceofabout500,000annuallynationally.
Most of these are the youth, only about 25% of whom are absorbed,leaving 75% to bear
the burden of unemployment. Furthermore, some of those absorbed in the labour
markethavejobsthatdonotmatchtheirquali icationsandspecialization.
1.3.2. Healthrelatedproblems
Theyouthfaceamyriadofhealthrelatedproblems,includingwidespreadmalaria,
malnutrition,HIV/AIDSandSexuallyTransmittedInfections(STIs),drugand
substanceabuseaswellaspooraccesstohealthservices.TheHIV/AIDSpandemicis
moreprevalentamongtheyouthunder30yearsofage.Availablestatisticsshowthat
theyouthmakeup33%ofKenyansinfectedwithAids.Femalegenitalmutilationand
teenagepregnancyareuniquetothefemaleyouth.Someoftheconsequencesof
thesearedroppingoutofschoolandriskstolifethroughunsafeabortions.
Thekeyprinciplesthatunderliethepolicyare:
(i) Respect of cultural belief systems and ethical values: The policy respects the cultural,
religious, customary and ethical backgrounds of the different communities and
conforms to universally recognized human rights, without discrimination based on
gender,race/origin,age,ethnicity,creed,politicalaf iliationorsocialstatus.
(ii) Equity and accessibility: The policy subscribes to the principles of equal opportunities
and equitable distribution of programmes, services, and resources. It also endeavors
topromoteaccesstosocio-economicopportunitiesfortheyouth.
(iii) Gender inclusiveness: The policy underscores the need to promote a gender-inclusive
approach to the development of youth. It seeks to promote gender equity and
equality,includingworkingtoeliminategenderdiscriminationandviolence.
(i) Good governance: The policy seeks to promote the values of good governance, a just and
tolerant society, promotion of transparency and accountability and a spirit of
nationhood and patriotism. In addition, the policy serves as a channel to promote
values of conscientiousness, inclusiveness, sel lessness, volunteerism and pursuit of
goodconduct
(ii) Mainstreaming youth issues: The needs, opportunities and challenges facing the youth
are concerns for the whole society. The youth policy aims at ensuring that youth
issues are re lected in all sectors of national development, on both the micro and
macro levels, within the public, private sectors and civil society. It emphasizes
af irmativeactionfortheyouthasastrategyofparticipationandempowerment.
2.2. Rights, Responsibilities and Obligations of the Youth in Ensuring the Success of the
GoalsofthisPolicy
2.2.1. Rightsofyouth
The policyrecognizesthe importance of youth to enjoy their youthfulnessand be proud in
doingso. Irrespectiveofsocialstatus,sex,religion,politicalaf iliationandpersuasion,the
youth have a right to the following as provided for under the Bill of Rights in the
ConstitutionofKenya2010:-
i.Life
ii. Meaningfulandqualityeducationandtraining
iii. Goodhealth
iv. Marriageatthelegalageofconsent
v. Protectionfromsexualexploitationandabuse
vi. Seekmeaningfulemployment
vii. Adequateshelter,foodandclothing
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12. 1.3.3. Increasingschoolandcollegedrop-outrates
Manyyouthdropoutofschoolandcollegeduetothehighcostofeducationandincreasein
overall poverty levels, poor returns on investment in education and lack of a re-admission
policyforteenagemothers,amongotherreasons.
1.3.4. Crime,Recidivism,AddictiontoDrugsandDeviantSocialBehavior
Due to idleness, especially after formal education, the youth become restless and try
anything. Some end up in crime or with deviant social behavior emanating from thwarted
or simply aborted dreams and opportunities. For ex-inmates, juvenile delinquents and
addict, Comprehensive and Continuous Prisoners' and Ex-Inmates' Assistance Programs
including Community-Assisted Quality and Digni ied Re-Entry, Rehabilitation and
Reintegration (COA 3Rs); The Prevention of HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse among the Young
Ex-prisoners and ex-addicts in Homa Bay County is still a mirage and; the Capacity
Building, Skills-Based Training and Reintegration of ex-offenders into the Community's
Productive Systems for Sustainable Self-Reliance and Nation Building is a need that
cannotbeover-emphasizedifsecuritystatusandcohesionbuildinginHomaBayCountyis
tobeasustainablereality.
1.3.5. Limitedsportsandrecreationfacilities
Sports and recreation facilities provide the youth with an opportunity to socialize and
spend their time productively, strengthening and developing their character and talents.
However, such facilities are scarce and, where they exist, they are sometimes not
accessibletotheyouth.
1.3.6. Abuseandexploitation
Owing to their vulnerability, the youth are exposed to political machinations and misuse,
sexual abuse and other forms of economic exploitation under the guise of employment
and other forms of abuse. There is currently little protection from the authorities as youth
desperatelyseeksforalternativestotheirviciouscycleofplights.
1.3.7. Limitedparticipationandlackofopportunitiesinthepublicdomain
Despite their numerical strength and superiority, youth are least represented in political
and economic spheres due to societal attitudes, socio-cultural and economic barriers, and
lack of proper organization. These leaves the youth with only informal avenues through
which to vent their frustrations and displeasure in what they term neglect by those in
authoritytounderstandandtackletheirneedsandchallenges.
I. Tocreateproperconditionsfortheyouthtoempowerthemselvesandexploit
theirpotential
ii. Toidentifywaysofempoweringtheyouth.
iii. Topromoteacultureofvolunteerismamongtheyouth
iv. Toexploreandsuggestwaysofengagingtheyouthintheprocessofeconomic
development
v. ToidentifyconstraintsthathindertheKenyanyouthfromrealizingtheir
potential
vi. Toproposewaysofmentoringtheyouthtobejustandmorallyuprightcitizens
vii. Topromotehonesthardworkandproductivityamongtheyouth.
1.4.3.4. CoreFocusofHomaBayCountyYouthDevelopmentPolicy
1. SportsandRecreation,
2. EnvironmentManagementandConservation,
3. ArtsandCulture,
4. ParticipationinDemocracy,GovernanceandCon lictManagement;
5. Livelihoods,
6. Micro-andSmall-Enterprise(MSE)andEmploymentCreation;
7. Health and Wellbeing (HIV/AIDs, Mental Wellness, Emotional Health, and
PhysicalHealthetc);and
8. Capacity Development (Education and Training) through increased
investmentinVocationalandTechnicalTraining.
CHAPTER TWO
PRINCIPLES AND VALUES UNDERLYING THE HOMA BAY COUNTY
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY
2.1. FundamentalPrinciplesUnderpinningthePolicy
The Homa Bay County Youth Development Policy should be seen as a vehicle for prioritizing
public actions aimed at creating an enabling environment for the youth to fully achieve their
aspirations through coordinated partnerships, collaboration and networking among and within
stakeholders. Comprehensive and multi-sectoral programmes aimed at supporting youth
initiatives are, therefore, essential for initiating and maintaining sustainable development in
HomaBayCounty.Thepolicyisconsistentwiththecountry'sNationalYouthPolicy,MediumTerm
Expenditure Framework (MTEF) focus, Kenya Vision 2030, National laws, Homa Bay County
Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2013 -2017 and county and national development
priorities.
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13. 1.3.8. Limitedand poorhousing
Many youth, especially those in the urban areas, do not have access to decent housing in
environments that favor and guarantees healthy living within the aspirations of the vision
statement of Homa Bay County. Many live in squalid conditions that only thicken their
feelingsofhopelessnessandillusion.
1.3.9. Limitedaccesstoinformationand communicationtechnology(ICT)
The youth cannot exploit career, business and education opportunities available because they
lack access to ICT services that is reliable, user friendly and cost effective, due to
unavailability especially in rural areas, and high costs of accessing the few available ICT
servicesthrows outtheseservicesfromthosewho deservesthemthemost,thatistheyouth.
The above issues and many others not highlighted call for urgent intervention. A
comprehensive Youth Development Policy such as this is therefore a major step forward
towards putting youth interest and needs in the limelight of meaningful social, economic and
politicaldevelopmentagendainHomaBayCounty.
1.4. Purpose ofthePolicy
1.4.1. Visionof theHomaBay CountyYouth DevelopmentPolicy
The Homa Bay CountyYouth Development Policy visualizes a County where youth have an
equal opportunity as other citizens to realize their fullest potential, productively participating
ineconomic,social,political,culturalandreligiouslifewithoutfearorfavor.
1.4.2. Mottoof Policy
“Tapping the Untapped Resource – Mobilizing and Allocating Resources for Youth
Developmentand Empowerment”
1.4.3. PolicyGoaland Objectives
1.4.3.1. PolicyGoals
Goal#1:
The overall goal of the policy is to promote youth participation in democratic processes as
well as in community and civic affairs, and ensuring that youth programmes involve them
andareyouth-centered.
Goal#2:
The policy is intended to expand opportunities, enhance capabilities, and providing second
chancesfor theyouthof HomaBayCounty.
1.4.3.2. GoalsElaborationand Explanation
Thegoalof thepolicyis elaboratedas follows:-
(i) Expanding opportunities for developing human capital can be achieved by expanding
access to and improving the quality of education and health services; by facilitating the
start to a working life; and by giving young people a voice to articulate the kind of
assistancetheywantandachancetoparticipateindeliveringit.
(ii) Develop young people's capabilities to be aware of the consequences of their action,
especially those that will affect them later in life; building their decision-making skills;
and giving them the right incentives so that their decisions are well informed, adequately
resourced,andjudicious.
(iii) Provide an effective system of second chances through targeted programs that help
young people recover from missed opportunities through remedial education, retraining,
treatment and rehabilitation to give them hope and the incentive to catch up from bad
luckor badchoicesmade.
1.4.3. PolicyObjectives
Theobjectivesofthepolicyareas adoptedfromtheNationalYouthPolicyareas follows:-
I. To sensitizenationalpolicymakersontheneedtoidentifyandmainstreamyouth
issues innationaldevelopment
ii. To emphasize,support andpartnerwithpositiveandeffectiveinitiativesand
programmessetup by associations,no-prots groups thathelptheyouthtofullltheir
expectationsandmeettheirneeds
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