By Hira Hafeez Hur
UNFPA YAP vision “To advocate UNFPA mandate by meaningful youth participation for program and policy development”
In November 2006, UNFPA’s first ever Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) composed of young representatives from youth networks from around the world, was established to advise UNFPA on best ways to recognize and promote youth rights and needs within in policies and programmes. This group helps ensure that UNFPA’s global, regional and national initiatives are youth-friendly and adequately address young people’s concerns, particularly regarding their sexual and reproductive lives, HIV/AIDS and gender issues.
In Pakistan currently there are 12 members who come from different provinces and districts where UNFPA has activities and field offices in Baluchistan, Punjab, Sindh and NWFP provinces.
Youth Advisory Panel
- Support the voice of young people
- Support youth projects of UNFPA
- Support and provide advice on UNFPA Pakistan activities.
- Support & promote the UNFPA mandate at national, provincial and district level.
- Help make learning (IEC) materials for young people
Current Activities
UNFPA Pakistan will be working in partnership with Ministry of Youth Affairs Pakistan for the welfare and development of the country’s youth. UNFPA will assist in institutionalization of 100 Youth Activity Centers at district level across the country with the Ministry of Youth Affairs Pakistan.
Currently YAP Youth in Islamabad has taken up a project to improve basic life skills of street children. YAP believes that street education can be of essential importance in meeting the needs of street children in the areas of life skills, basic education, sexual reproductive health and literacy.
This year YAP will support and accelerate efforts in to reach the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). YAP plans to mobilize and reach out to more youth this year and really help make 2010 the “International Year of Youth”.
You can reach Hira at hirahur@gmail.com.
