Human Resources Development Section

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 healthrelated 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

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 subregional 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, subregional, 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.

Asia-Pacific Meeting of Youth Organizations in Preparation for the Third Session of the World Youth Forum, 27-29 May 1998
Report of the Meeting (TEXT-ONLY VERSION)
List of Participants (TEXT-ONLY VERSION)