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Brief
back ground:
Around
the rim of the Pacific Ocean are some of the world’s richest
nations and some of its most dynamic economics of course
situation has changed for last few
years due to economics crises. The bringing together of
these through increased economic cooperation and free trade is
the fundamental aim of APEC.
APEC
or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, is a regional consultative
mechanism for the promotion of more open trade, greater economic
cooperation, investment expansion and stronger multilateral
trading system. (APEC 1994b:1)
The
leaders of the 18 members countries, at their November 1994
meetings. Agreed on a ‘Declaration of common Resolve’ which
among other things said that they were pledged;
·
To find cooperative solution to the challenges of
our rapidly changing regional and global economy;
·
To
support an expanding world economy and an open multilateral
trading system;
·
To
continue to reduce barriers to trade and investment to enable
goods, services capital flow freely among our economics;
·
To ensure
that our people share the benefits of economic growth, link or
economic through advances in telecommunication and
transportation, and use our resources sustainable. (APEC
1994a:1)
The
20 nations which make up APEC’s membership have a combined
Gross National Produce of around 13 trillion or about half of
the world’s total.
Their
combined population is 40 per cent of the world’s total, and
they account for about 40 per cent of its mercantile trade. (APEC
1994:1)
As
democratization is taking its roots, the civil society
participation at all levels is also increasing. Youth
participation and contribution are being recognized by
governments and UN bodies in shaping the future of the world.
On
this basis Forum for Youth in APEC countries is being proposed
on the
Theme: “Bridging the
Gap and Creating Opportunity for Youth”
is being proposed
to be held prior to APEC Summit which is scheduled in October
2003 to discuss and articulate common vision and propose
measures to be taken by the government.
Objectives:
·
To
enable socially engaged youth representative from APEC countries
to come together
and share their experiences, develop leadership
skills and
strengthen friendship and cooperation.
·
To
review government policies related to youth and children in APEC
countries, particularly the global economic integration and its
impact on youth and children and make policy recommendation.
·
To
enable youth representative from other APEC countries to learn
more about Thai cultures and wisdom
The
Key areas that the Youth Forum will focus on are:
A.
Understanding Gaps that exists (
generation, social, opportunity, gender) within
Society,
Countries and between
Countries.
B.
Understanding Economic Intergration and the
Impact on Youth and Children
C.
Youth Employment
D.
Role of Youth as Actors and Target Groups towards a Better
Future
Participants:
60
2
representatives from APEC countries: 40
Thai
participants: 20
Duration:
29th SEP 2003 – 5th
OCT 2003
Organising
Committee
In
a meeting
of Asian Youth held
August 25-28 in
Indonesia, YCCI was entrusted to initiate a process so that Thai
Youth organizations in cooperation with the Government of
Thailand are able to host the Forum of Youth from APEC
countries. It was agreed that a small core group will meet in
February’2003 to see through the preparation and resource
mobilisation. By this time YCCI will continue to communicate
through e.mail with
national contacts in APEC countries for their inputs in
improving the agenda.
Brief
information about YCCI
Youth
Coordination Center International
(YCCI) which was started as Youth Desk of Asian Resource
Foundation in 1996 mainly
to responds to the need of the youth .
In May 1998 youth representatives who participated
program in the past met in a Council , both from Thailand and
the Asia region to review the past activities and plan for the
future. The Council decided to rename the Youth Desk to YCCI but
requested Asian Resource Foundation to provide necessary
supports. Since then
YCCI is functioning as an autonomous body of youth, but
the accounting and administrative
support, office space are provided by the
Asian Resource Foundation. A five member Thai committee
look after the program in Thailand. Besides that
Asian team consists of representative from each country
over sees the Regional activities,.
Contact
Person:
Ekraj
Sabur
Coordinator,
YCC
C/O
Asian Resource Foundation
Address:
1562/113, soi 1/1, Mooban Pibul, Pracharaj Road, Bangkok
10800,Thailand
Tel.66-2-9130196,
Fax- 66-2-9130197
E-mail
: uarf @ksc.th.com
YCCI
advisory committee consists of
Prof.
Lorraine Corner- UNIFEM, UN Building.
Prof.
Chalermsri Dhammabutra, Thailand
Prof.
Buddhadeb Chaudhury, Calcutta University, India
Lydia
M. Collado , Philippines.
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