Project proposal 1 Accelerating formulation of national youth policies and action plans Project components - Development of national youth policy and action plan guidelines at the regional level. Capacity building of governments and NGOs in promoting national youth policies. Objectives - To accelerate the formulation of youth policies and action plans in the Asia- Pacific region. To formulate guidelines outlining the principles for youth policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. To acknowledge and build upon existing initiatives. To build capacity of governments, youth organizations and young men and women to contribute to youth policy processes. To improve the collaboration at the international as well as at the national level among governments and youth NGOs. Problems addressed - Insufficient level of youth policy formulation and implementation within the region. Lack of guidelines and appropriate tools. Limited information sharing within the region. Weak capacity and leadership concerning youth affairs. Lack of appropriate methodologies in involvement of young people. Activities -Stage One - Review and assess youth policy formulation and implementation within participating countries. Initiate a policy dialogue among government and youth organizations. Formulate general guidelines for youth policy and action plans. Create clearing house function within the region. Conduct training needs assessment. Develop tools, training curricula, and training materials highlighting youth participatory methodologies, youth policy implementation, and stakeholder collaboration. Activities-Stage Two - Identify and train facilitators for development of national youth policies. Translate/adapt of resource materials. Initiate dialogue among stakeholders within participating countries. Provide facilitation and training services. Activities-Stage Three - Evaluate the project outcome as well as the content of guideline and facilitation services. Role of UN agencies - Technical/financial support. Catalytic role for pulling existing international and regional experience in the field. Role of national counterparts - Ensure collaboration among national stakeholders. Ensure support at the highest political levels. Ensure participation of all stakeholders especially young people at every level of the country. Outcomes - Creation of wider awareness of the importance of national youth policies and action plans. Creation of guidelines for youth policy and action plans. Improvement of the quality of national youth policies and action plans and processes for their formulation and implementation. Creation of regional clearing house functions. Creation of training resources (materials, human resources). Project proposal 2 Education on reproductive health and substance abuse in schools Objective - To exchange experiences in providing education on reproductive health and substance abuse in schools. Problem addressed - There is an urgent need to raise awareness on issues related to reproductive health and substance abuse in the formal school system. Activities - To bring together experiences in providing education on reproductive health and substance abuse in schools from the region; To impart teachers with skills on providing education on reproductive health and substance abuse in the classroom. Role of UN agencies - United Nations agencies should provide financial, material and technical assistance. Role of national counterparts - Share experience and allocate resources to facilitate the project; Nomination of suitable participants for the activities. Outcome - Improvement in the curriculum dealing with reproductive health and substance abuse; Greater exposure among youth of issues related to reproductive health and substance abuse. Greater awareness among youth of issues related to reproductive health and substance abuse. Project proposal 3 Matching education with labour market requirements Objectives - To match education with the requirements of the ever-changing and increasingly competitive employment market, in order to empower young people in making their career choices. To exchange experiences in creating employment opportunities to meet the requirements of social, economic and technical changes on a sustained basis. Problem addressed - Lack of matching between education and the needs of the employment market, and socio-economic and technological change; Lack of extension services, internships and other schemes providing guidance on career choices available to youth. Activities - Establishment of a regional resource and training center on career education and employment for youth, with a proper network of government and private institutions in the countries of the region; Constitution of a pool of experts to share experiences, to assist in planning, and to train at the national level; Organization of regional consultations of government and private sector agencies dealing with education and employment on a regular basis. Role of UN agencies - Establishment of a regional resource and training center; Coordination of efforts; Mobilization of financial and human resources at the regional level. Role of national counterparts - Mobilization of financial and human resources at the national level. Outcome - Young people making better-informed choices regarding their careers. Project proposal 4 Regional conference on ethical values in business for young entrepreneurs Objectives - To raise awareness among young entrepreneurs of the region on ethical values in business; - To promote responsibility of young entrepreneurs toward an equal and equitable society; - To help and support young entrepreneurs and any other young people who want to start doing business in ethical values; - To work out regional ethical values in business for young entrepreneurs which are applicable among countries in the region. Problem addressed - Non-ethical business practices among a number of young entrepreneurs of the region in today world; - Decreasing of ethical values in term of business among young people of our region; - Distrust when dealing with young people. Activities - National workshops emphasizing the need of ethical values and identifying ethical values for young entrepreneurs; - Regional conference on ethical values in business for young entrepreneurs; - Elaboration of guidelines on ethical values of the region in business; - Implementation of guidelines on ethical values in business. Role of UN Agencies - Coordinate the regional conference; - Seek funding; - Seek resource persons; - Assessment and evaluation on the implementation of ethical values in the region; - Follow-up activities Role of National Counterparts - Coordinate national workshop; - Elaborate national ethical values in business; - Nominate delegates to the regional conference; - Implementation of regional conference outcomes. Outcome - Awareness of ethical values for business for young entrepreneurs; - Production of a manual for young entrepreneurs and other young people who intent to start doing business; - High commitment of young entrepreneurs of the region in moving toward a better society. Project proposal 5 Mobilizing funds for the implementation of youth employment projects Objectives - To mobilize financial assistance from bilateral and multilateral donor agencies for the implementation of country specific projects leading to employment of youth. Problem addressed - Unemployment is a major problem facing youth in most countries, - Though projects have been formulated to generate large scale employment opportunities for youth in various countries, it is usually difficult to find the financial resources for their implementation, - Neither the national budgets nor international donor agencies accord high priority to this aspect. Activities - Regional and international level meetings of bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, with representatives from member countries, to sensitize them to commit funds as well as to create the necessary will for implementing youth employment projects. Role of UN Agencies - ESCAP: initiation of the project; - Commitment and funding from other UN and bilateral agencies. Role of National Counterparts - Governments will identify possible areas and projects for implementation. Outcome - Availability of financial resources for implementation of youth employment projects, thereby addressing the problem of unemployment. Project proposal 6 Labour market information network Objectives - To establish national labour market information through the creation of labour market centres in each country of the region - To establish a network of labour market information; - To renew employment planning activities in the region, with a vision for the future. Problem addressed - Lack of information on the demand and supply of labour, employment opportunities, availability of resources, and technology is a severe problem faced by the employment planners today; - If necessary and correct information is available to the planners and policy makers, it will be helpful in preparation of policies, future plans, and projects to promote employment; - There is a gap in the process of employment planning. Activities - Selection of experts and preparation of a detailed project document; - Conduct preliminary studies in each country; - Selection and training of staff; - Supply necessary equipment; - Establishment of labour market information centres. Role of UN Agencies - ESCAP: coordination of the project; - Other UN agencies to provide necessary consultancy services and financial support. Role of National Counterparts - Provision of necessary facilities; - Project execution. Outcome - Flow of labour market information within the region and in the member countries for the use of planners, policy makers, researchers, etc. Project proposal 7 Regional review and evaluation of extension services to promote self-employment and group employment Objectives To collect national experiences in the various types of extension services. To assist and facilitate more successful ventures for provision employment, such as placement services, market identification and access, legal literacy, access to credit, product improvement, introduction and utilization of new technology, investment strategies, social protection and support. Problem addressed - There is a missing link between education, training and successful ventures in the promotion of self-employment and group employment; - There is a need to increase the capability of the unemployed to repay loans taken for such ventures. Activities Experts would conduct national surveys on the range of extension services available to promote successful ventures in employment and self employment; A regional assessment would be prepared based on these surveys; - Conduct of a regional meeting of government representatives and experts, to share experiences, and to prepare policies and strategies for improving extension services; - A publication on successful initiatives in the region. Role of UN Agencies Various UN agencies would - Organize the regional meeting; - Finalize the publication; - Identify experts and governments to be involved. Role of National Counterparts - To organize national surveys of experiences in policy and strategy development Outcome - National studies; - Regional meeting; - Publication Project proposal 8 Entrepreneurial initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region: impact assessment and experience sharing Objectives - To study the nature and impact of notable projects on employment and self- employment promotion undertaken by government and NGOs in various countries; - To identify the factors that contribute to, or limit, successes in employment promotion; - To diffuse the useful experiences at the regional level, and to promote effective models toward enhancing youth employment and self-employment. Problem addressed - There is a a need for understanding the dynamics of youth unemployment. Employment interventions and promotion activities and projects have limited results. Activities - Identification of notable initiatives in the countries of the region; - Conducting a study of the initiatives; - Organizing national level discussions on the study findings before finalizing the national reports; - Organizing a regional level discussion based on the study findings; - Documenting and disseminating the study report and the conclusion of the regional meeting. Role of UN Agencies Various UN agencies can work together to arrange - Expertise and resources for the study; - Regional level meeting of different concerned people; - Follow up. Role of National Counterparts - Youth-related ministries, NGOs, and successful entrepreneurs will identify local experts, facilitate data collection, analyze data, and facilitate national level discussion on the study findings. Outcome - An improved policy setting on youth employment. - Documentation of various issues related to employment promotion in different socio-economic contexts, identifying commong critical elements that could be promoted and strengthened. Project proposal 9 Integrated approaches to promote the health of young people including those in especially difficult circumstances Objectives - To determine the health needs and problems of young people, including those in especially difficult circumstances. To sensitize and promote awareness among policy makers and leaders of youth organizations about the need to adopt appropriate policies and actions, to prevent substance abuse and sexual and reproductive health problems among young people, including those in especially difficult circumstances. To raise awareness of the general public, young people, parents and those responsible for taking care of young people, on substance abuse, sexual and reproductive health, including STDs, and HIV/AIDS. To develop appropriate IEC materials for young people. To exchange experiences on successful approaches to meeting the health needs of young people. To strengthen the capacity of youth organizations, health workers and social workers, in addressing the health problems of young people through the development of an effective methodology and training curriculum. Problem addressed General lack of knowledge and skills on substance abuse and sexual and reproductive health, including STDs, and HIV/AIDS, among the general public, parents,those responsible for taking care of young people and young people themselves, especially those in difficult circumstances. Lack of access to appropriate services and counselling. Lack of training opportunities, effective methodologies and a comprehensive approach for youth organizations, health workers and social workers in addressing health issues of young people. Lack of relevant research data on health-related problems and needs of young people, including those in especially difficult circumstances. Weak coordination between and among government agencies, NGOs and the community. Inadequate funds and resources. Activities - Time frame: five years. Phase One - Develop a strategic plan of action. - Document existing programmes, strategies, materials, and resources related to the project. Phase Two - Formulate national, regional and sub-regional strategic plans of action. Document and conduct research to assess the health problems and needs of young people. Phase Three - Convene a regional workshop on advocacy for senior policy makers and officials from relevant ministries, including enforcement officers, and youth organizations. Document successful methodologies and approaches on family life education, prevention of substance abuse, sexual and reproductive health problems, including STDs, and HIV/AIDS. Develop and produce curriculum and materials for training youth organizations, and health and social professionals, to meet the health needs of young people. This will include new materials, as well as adaptation of existing materials identified earlier in the project. Develop and produce IEC materials. Conduct sub-/regional training courses, exchange visits and study tours. Develop a monitoring and evaluation system. Role of the Government To coordinate, facilitate and support government sectors, NGOs and the community in the implementation of the project. To formulate national strategic plans in coordination with relevant agencies, NGOs and youth themselves. Role of NGOs - Involvement of as many youth organisations as possible from diverse fields. Identification of youth NGOs at the national level can be carried out through Regional Collective Consultation of Youth NGOs in Asia and the Pacific. The national focal points will be responsible for the implementation of the project in the respective countries. Role of UN and other agencies - ESCAP, UNDCP, UNFPA, WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, and other interested agencies including Sida and the Government of Japan. These agencies will be responsible for funding, technical support, coordination, monitoring and evaluation. Expected output - National, sub-regional, and regional strategic plans of action. A research report to promote awareness of the health problems and needs of young people, including those in especially difficult circumstances. This would also serve as a basis for the development of IEC materials and training materials. Curriculum and training materials. - Sub/regional training courses and workshops. Youth organizations trained in methodologies to enhance the delivery of services to the target group. IEC materials in printed form in English and the local languages of the participating countries. Documentation of successful approaches.