INEE/MSEESession 1-5 Whole People, Holistic Approaches: Cross-Sectoral Action and Learning

Who are Crisis-affected Youth? This presentation of the framing paper’s key findings will provide: definitions and data on youth affected by crisis a short case study on cross-sectoral programming lessons learned and suggest recommendations and forward- looking strategies for education in humanitarian action. Overview

Who are Crisis-affected Youth? Who are Youth Affected by Crisis?

Who are Crisis-affected Youth? Y OUTH are people between 15 and 24 years and, more generally, those who are in a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Who are Youth Affected by Crisis?

Who are Crisis-affected Youth? Y OUTH are people between 15 and 24 years and, more generally, those who are in a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Y OUTH AFFECTED BY C RISIS live through a number of simultaneous and stressful transitional processes both internally and externally. Who are Youth Affected by Crisis?

Today’s youth population is the largest the world has seen.

World Youth Population in 2010 (source: UNDESA, 2010)

Some estimates: Systematic data collection on crisis-affected youth remains challenging.

Some estimates: Some 35% of the world’s refugee population are between 12 and 24 years old. Systematic data collection on crisis-affected youth remains challenging.

Some estimates: Some 35% of the world’s refugee population are between 12 and 24 years old. Over 300 million young people under the age of 25 are living in countries affected by armed conflict. Systematic data collection on crisis-affected youth remains challenging.

Some estimates: Some 35% of the world’s refugee population are between 12 and 24 years old. Over 300 million young people under the age of 25 are living in countries affected by armed conflict. Some 300,000 young people under the age of 18 are directly involved in warfare (= 10% of the world’s combatants). Systematic data collection on crisis-affected youth remains challenging.

Crisis-affected youth are vulnerable.

They are at risk of being targeted for violence, abuse and exploitation. Crisis-affected youth are vulnerable.

They are at risk of being targeted for violence, abuse and exploitation. fall between protection, mandate and also funding cracks. Crisis-affected youth are vulnerable.

They are at risk of being targeted for violence, abuse and exploitation. fall between protection, mandate and also funding cracks. face greater challenges in accessing education and other services. Crisis-affected youth are vulnerable.

Youth literacy rates are lowest for females in LDCs.

Youth Literacy Rates (source: UNICEF, 2010)

Voices of Youth Affected by Crisis

Youth from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “Youth are neglected in our community, and even if we have some ideas for developing our community, elders don't consider our voices; that is why many of our friends, brothers and sisters are still with the militias organisations in the bush. […] to be young is not a synonym for not being wise or ‘knowing nothing’.”

The need for holistic & cross-sectoral action

Model of Youth Needs (UNICEF, 2010)

The need for holistic & cross-sectoral action Education implicates several different sectors and can also provide an entry point for other sectors’ service provision.

The need for holistic & cross-sectoral action Education implicates several different sectors and can also provide an entry point for other sectors’ service provision. At global level, the clusters present a potential forum for coordination between sectors on youth issues.

Empowering vulnerable youth through agricultural practices and life-business skills training in the occupied Palestinian territories (UN Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO) Programme links agriculture, education, livelihoods and protection sectors in training and empowering vulnerable youth in agricultural practices and life- business skills. Holistic approach: 1)Youth transition from Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) to local farmers’ cooperatives 2)Local women’s associations deliver food to JFFLS students Strong linkages at both local and national level have ensured local ownership, led to increased sustainability and facilitated the successful transition of youth into further training and income-generating opportunities. The programme is inclusive in targeting both refugee and non-refugee youth and has led to youth feeling comfortable in pursuing a job in the agriculture sector and overall more confident in planning their life for the future. Case Study

Safe youth centres provide a space to address the protection, social and emotional needs of youth, and can also serve as educational facilities for a variety of workshops and trainings. Lessons Learned

Safe youth centres provide a space to address the protection, social and emotional needs of youth, and can also serve as educational facilities for a variety of workshops and trainings. Non-formal education programmes, undertaken by other sectors, can complement education system activities and can link education and communities. Lessons Learned

Safe youth centres provide a space to address the protection, social and emotional needs of youth, and can also serve as educational facilities for a variety of workshops and trainings. Non-formal education programmes, undertaken by other sectors, can complement education system activities and can link education and communities. Recognition and accreditation of non-formal education programs is important for participants’ future success. Lessons Learned

Addressing youth issues at multiple levels will help ensure a more comprehensive approach to youth policy and programming. Lessons Learned

Addressing youth issues at multiple levels will help ensure a more comprehensive approach to youth policy and programming. Partnerships between government ministries and NGOs and UN agencies working in various sectors can prove effective in engaging youth and meeting the larger needs of crisis-affected populations. Lessons Learned

Addressing youth issues at multiple levels will help ensure a more comprehensive approach to youth policy and programming. Partnerships between government ministries and NGOs and UN agencies working in various sectors can prove effective in engaging youth and meeting the larger needs of crisis-affected populations. Partnerships need to be built on clear communication and specified responsibilities. Lessons Learned

 Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination for youth programming at the global level Recommendations

 Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination for youth programming at the global level  Work with governments at the national level to develop youth action plans and policies Recommendations

 Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination for youth programming at the global level  Work with governments at the national level to develop youth action plans and policies  Ensure the participation of youth in emergency preparedness, response and recovery in the education sector Recommendations

 Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination for youth programming at the global level  Work with governments at the national level to develop youth action plans and policies  Ensure the participation of youth in emergency preparedness, response and recovery in the education sector  Improve the collection of data relating to the youth population in emergencies programming Recommendations

Thank you for your attention! Time for questions and discussion…

Which institutional bodies are best placed to coordinate systematic data collection at global and local levels? Questions for discussion

Which institutional bodies are best placed to coordinate systematic data collection at global and local levels? What mechanisms and tools are needed to overcome challenges of data collection on crisis-affected youth? Questions for discussion

Which institutional bodies are best placed to coordinate systematic data collection at global and local levels? What mechanisms and tools are needed to overcome challenges of data collection on crisis-affected youth? What partnerships are needed to effectively advocate for youth’s needs and how can such partnerships be developed and maintained at national and global levels? Questions for discussion

Which institutional bodies are best placed to coordinate systematic data collection at global and local levels? What mechanisms and tools are needed to overcome challenges of data collection on crisis-affected youth? What partnerships are needed to effectively advocate for youth’s needs and how can such partnerships be developed and maintained at national and global levels? How can meaningful youth participation in humanitarian action become systematized and scaled up? Questions for discussion