1. Youth in Policy Making and Advocacy Debra Efroymson Regional Director, HealthBridge (Dhaka) Technical Expert, Tobacco Control, the Union debra@healthbridge.ca

2. Youth (under 30): what can they contribute? t Recipient of services: youth lectured at, taught, encouraged to join boring clubs t Collaborator: youth design, implement programs to reach youth t Colleagues: organizations hire, train, supervise young people

3. Image vs. reality t Image: youth only doing “trivial” youth- related work t Truth: in Asia and the world, young people are actively engaged in –policy making –advocacy –other high-level tobacco control work to reduce tobacco use

4. Examples of youth work t Advocating for strong law t Organizing workshops, advocacy campaigns t Working with govt. on law enforcement t Research on smoking in youth, litigation t Promoting smoke-free homes, smoke- free zones t Serving as media officer

5. Gaining media attention

6. Importance of involving youth t Smoking rates among youth high t Most smokers begin as children t Most of Asian population under age 15 t Youth bring creativity, energy, fresh ideas t Easier to train to fit into organizational approach t Youth can work successfully with youth t Future of our work

7. Our approach to youth t Lacking in sufficient knowledge and experience to do any “real” work vs. t Supported to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference

8. Practical steps t Active efforts to recruit young people t Offer them interesting and valuable opportunities and responsibility t Mentor them so that their full potential can be realized

9. Lessons for youth t Their contributions are valuable and valued t They can acquire the knowledge and experience to engage in policy-level work t Tobacco control can mean fulfilling and enjoyable work

10. Future directions to increase youth involvement and success of tobacco control… t Active youth involvement/ownership in programs to reduce youth smoking t Designing interesting, challenging programs with youth & youth groups t Gaining professional positions with responsibility, creative freedom