Youth and Democracy Education through Community Engagement International Seminar on Education for Democracy, 21-22 May, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Presentation by Ts. Davaadulam, UNDP Mongolia

Youth Empowerment through Civic Education In support of Mongolia’s Presidency of the Community of Democracy, the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched the project in April 2012. Will be implemented in 2012-2013. UNDP DGTTF – $300.000 Some interested donors to support the follow-up

Situation of Youth in Mongolia: Emerging Issues One fifth of the population is aged 15-24. The diminishing civic attachment as evidenced by shrinking participation by the youth. The need to create a democratic space and civic engagement of the youth are becoming important in the current context of the country where high economic growth is not translated into prosperity and equal opportunities for all. The increasing trend in income disparities posing the risks of triggereing conflict and violence. Substantial proportion of youth is hit by poverty and all other related problems (unemployment, lack of skills that match labour market, lack of housing and access to credit, migration and unsafe work conditions). The need to mobilize the youth’s potential for shaping and reflecting larger struggles for social and political change. No studies exist in Mongolia to understand the changing values and aspirations of young people. Few channels exist to acquire civic education.

Project Objectives Improving class-room based civic education programmes in the formal educational system; Co-curricular activities that support and extend civic education outside of school settings, and Supporting youth-led groups, which will add space and opportunity to exercise participation, voice, leadership, networking, and conflict resolution through democratic means.

Output one: Curriculum review Conduct a survey of the legal framework, school practice, teacher training and institutions of civic education; Review of the formal education curriculum with a specific focus on civic and human rights education and democratic participation; Develop national standards on civic education; Develop and disseminate civic educational materials, including a good choice of textbooks; Provide training of teachers for civic education.

Output Two: Increased youth voice in policy making through community based civic experience Undertake a research on value orientation, identity and aspirations of young men and women. Provide a platform for the youth in interacting with their elected representatives; Encourage dialogue between the youth and local policy makers on issues related to improving the quality of life at community levels;

Innovative practices of community engagement

Local Governance Support Programme UNDP Grants provided to local governments in 5 pilot aimags to support projects selected through participatory and transparent processes Improved two-way communication between citizens and local administrators Increased ownership by LGs

Social Accountability Learning in Action Program (SAcLAP) World Bank The goal was to integrate constructive engagement between citizens and government in monitoring the use of public resources. The initiative supported 13 projects which put into practice approaches and tools of social accountability citizen’s report card in health service delivery and extractive industries Transparency in oil extraction and environmental rehabilitation Monitoring of procurement on school roof repairs Expenditure tracking on prevention from crimes Creation, allocation of the Human development Fund Monitoring of school lunch programme Road access by people with disabilities

Other initiatives of community engagement Centre for Citizenship Education - Building problem solving skills in school setting Combine community based civic experience and systematic classroom reflection on that experience. Teach children to identify problems in their communities and a dialogue with school administration and local governments for problem solving Globe International - Support Community radio in 10 soums of 4 aimags Swiss Agency for International Cooperation (SDC) – Civic Engagement at the Local level – Governance and Decentralisation programme.

Conclusions Representative democracy should be complemented by participatory governance – direct engagement with government bodies. Participation cannot be taught in a class-room. Creating a culture of participation is a long-term process requiring attitudinal change.

Output Three: Support to Social Media and Networking Support youth-led groups on the content and interacting with one another on social media and social networking tools in promoting the ideals of peace, freedom, justice, tolerance, respect for human rights, and dedication to the objectives of social progress and development; Mobilize the media in promoting active political participation of the youth, train journalists, and produce dedicated TV and radio talk shows;

Thank you for your attention.