In the recent Global Refugee Youth Consultation (GRYC) held in May 2016 in Islamabad, refugee youth in Pakistan discussed main issues and challenges they faced and brainstormed on possible youth-led lutions, presenting their ideas to stakeholders at the end of the consultations. They identified a lack of empowerment and engagement opportunities as factor that limit youth involvement in decision making. They have few opportunities to analyze issues, device solutions, Share ideas with decision-making, and to be heard. This initiative of Youth Development and Empowerment is follow up of GRYC.
In order to engage youth bulk in positive and constructive activities, to explore their hidden potential and build their leadership abilities, REPID established a network of potential youth from Afghan refugees.
Objectives:
1. Increased Youth participation in civic participation in refugees’ camps and urban refugee population of KPK Pakistan.
2. To create structured spaces for young refugees to have a voice and engage in participatory dialogue with other youth (both Afghan and Pakistani) and relevant stakeholders at the regional level.
3. To foster and support participation, leadership and empowerment opportunities for young refugees. This will be done by forming networks with different stakeholders.
4. Promote social cohesion among Pakistani and Refugee Youth.
Project Main Activities:
1. Formation of Youth Promotional Network
The network is comprised of 100 youth representatives (male/female) selected through an assessment and interview process. Selection of youth network members were based on their educational background, gender, knowledge of socio economic issues pertaining to refugees, potential to be an agent of change and willingness to work voluntarily for the betterment of their respective communities.
2. Core Thematic training
The training workshop has been conducted adopting interactive learning methodologies, focusing upon sharing of experiences and learning by doing through active involvement, role plays, and group work.
The training topic were; Active Citizenship, Communication Skills, Community Participation/Working with Communities, Leadership, Human Rights & Democracy, Conflict Resolution Skills, Advocacy & Lobbying Skills, Networking, Project management cycle and social action projects.
3. Dialogue for sharing and learning
Dialogue of the youth to connect with their peers for learning together about creating blogs, online posting, and discussion on identified themes of SAP.
4. Youth social action projects/campaigns
Following are the completed 8 Social Action Projects/campaign
• Enrolment Campaign (Refugees Village Kababyan warsak road)
• Hygiene promotion (Afghan refugees of Taj Abad)
• Dengue fever awareness campaign (Khurasan refugees Camp)
• Health Education (Taj Abad)
• Women capacity building
• Initiative for education
• First Aid basic training
• Early child marriage
These projects are led and implemented by youth groups on different locations with their respective Afghan communities.
5. Project consolidation workshop and Social Action Exhibition
Finally Consolidation workshop and Social Action Projects/campaigns exhibition will be held in this month