Supporting youth participation at regional conference on reproductive and sexual health
Through Youth Commitment Desks around the conference venue and a Skill Building Workshops on advocacy, APA aimed to increase support for the neglected needs of young people at the fifth Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR) from 17 to 20 October 2009 in Beijing, China. By the end of the conference program, young people collected 167 written commitments from the Youth Space and other sites around the conference. The active involvement of young people was acknowledged and mentioned in several formal sessions including the closing session.
Based on successes and lessons learned from work in 2007, APA worked to strengthen, improve, and expand youth activities. Representatives of member organizations andpartners, including youth and adult experts, formed an APA Task Force for Youth to plan youth activities. APA collaborated with other groups, including the International Youth Steering Committee of APCRSRH.
The timing of APCRSHR represented an exciting opportunity to reflect on past successes and determine future directions. 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the ICPD Program of Action (PoA). While young people's needs are one of the five key areas outlined for the ICPD +15 review process, it must be clear that the needs of young people are still not being fully met. Next year - 2010 - will mark the 10th anniversary of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The eight MDGs increasingly intersect with youth sexual and reproductive health and rights issues.
The youth commitment desk represented an innovative advocacy concept and opportunity to expand youth participation. It also placed a spotlight on youth issues. Commitments made at the conference provided opportunities and entry points for future advocacy. Beyond APCSRHR, commitments will be used to push for further action. APA will follow-up on the commitments by linking young people who were present at the Conference to national policymakers who made a commitment.
