JCYCN - Celebration of International Youth Day 2018 in Nepal 

12 Aug 2018

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GSEF member organisation Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN) celebrated International Youth Day 2018 in Nepal on 12^th Aug. JCYCN received the National Youth Talent Appreciation Award by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Nepal for its dedication to youth empowerment, child safety, child-friendly local governance and peacebuilding in Nepal.  (Below is a summary of the event; news article provided by JCYCN)

Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Youth Council organized a program to address the International Youth Day 2018 themed “Safe Spaces for Youth” with the collaboration from JCYCN, HAMI, NCFLG Forum, Caritas Nepal, //KANALLAN, SDGs Studio, ESDO, Kinder in Nepal, and UNDP along with various other organizations including UN, INGOs and NGOs at Academy Hall, Kathmandu with constructive engagement of over a thousand participants. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mr. Ishwor Pokharel was the chief guest for the event; while Mr. Jagat Bahadur Sunar (Bishwakarma), Minister of Youth and Sports, chaired the event. The other guests included Dr. Puspha Kandel (National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman), Mr. Mohan Krishna Sapkota (Ministry of Youth and Sports Secretary), Mr. Madhav Prasad Dhungel (National Youth Council Vice-Chairman), Mr. Renaud Meyer (Country Director UNDP), and Mr. Kamala Roka (former Minister of Youth and Sports).

The program was officially inaugurated in the academy hall with a welcome speech by Mr. Mohan Krishna Sapkota followed by the lighting of the lamp by the honorary Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Ishwar Pokharel. He then went on stress on the need to educate the youths about the importance of self-employment. Vice-Chairman of National Youth Council Mr. Madhav Prasad Dhungel then went on to present the work NYC has done and their plans for the future.  Mr. Renaud Meyer, Country director UNDP, as a representative for UNO wished the Youth of the nation the best of luck for their future. Former Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Kamala Roka and National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Dr. Puspha Kandel also went on to express their support and congratulate the youth.

The day was packed with events starting with the participation from various youth led organizations, NGOs, non-NGOs and Nepal police for a rally around Tundikhel and showcased various banners and slogans depicting the theme “Safe Spaces for Youth” given by United Nations for the International Youth Day 2018. At academy hall various events such as flash mob, quiz, art competition, photo contest, and youth creation exhibition were held for the youth to enjoy and participate. A youth talk was also held with a discussion on the inclusion of youth in politics to help youth understand their role in policy building and politics.

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The highlight of the event was the distribution of appreciation certificate and a cash prize of NPR 1 Lakh to 10 individuals/organizations by the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the National Youth Talent Appreciation Award. Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal was one among the selected 10 to receive this honor for its tireless work since its establishment in Girls Empowerment, Child-Friendly Local Governance (CFLG), Youth Empowerment, Safe and Dignified Migration, Peacebuilding, and Child and Human rights monitoring. The award was received by Mr. Tilottam Paudel, President of JCYCN from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mr. Ishwar Pokharel.

Mr. Tilottam Paudel went on to say a few words on behalf of the civil society and the awardees. He said that he was humbled that Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN) being an organization formed by child club graduates had been chosen to be awarded with such honor, and that this would also act as an encouragement for many others to strive for excellence. He said that the prize money would be dedicated to the Girls Empowerment Project and Youth Empowerment Project in Nawalparasi. He went on to request the government to create child friendly and youth friendly spaces; to improve the safety concerns and provide a non-violent environment for them to grow and prosper. He added that the governments focus should be on UNSCR 2250 - a ground-breaking resolution on Youth, Peace and Security which recognizes that “young people play an important and positive role in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security”. He ended his speech with a reminder to the government to create good employment opportunities for the youth to stop the process of brain drain.

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2018 JCYCN in collaboration with various organizations conducted the following activities:

• To promote safe spaces for youth, JCYCN in-collaboration AYON and other organizations organized a policy dialogue on how youths can claim space to ensure proper functioning of new federal structure on 10^th Aug 2018 at Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. The program was attended by a total of 50. 11^th Aug 2018 saw a mega mela organized at Nepal Police Club which consisted of various activities such as cultural performances, flash mobs and various competitions with a participation of over 500 youths.
• To promote safe spaces for girls, JCYCN in-collaboration with Girls Kick organized Self Defense training at NIC College, Kathmandu on 11^th Aug 2018 for 150 girls. 
• To promote safe spaces for girls, JCYCN in-collaboration with //KANALLAN organized an interactive discussion session in Devchuli – 5, Nawalparasi. The discussion involved active participation from 45 girls on various issues on 11^th Aug 2018.
• To mark the 19th International Youth Day, JCYCN in-collaboration with Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) and different youth led organization organized a two day (13 August & 14 August) program "National Youth Rights Mega Meet" at Hotel Hardik, Bagbajar, Kathmandu. The program comprised of various discussions with issues related to youth and was attended by over 300 people in the span of two days. 

To promote safe spaces for youth, JCYCN in-collaboration with the network of child clubs in Godavari Municipality, National Youth Council and Caritas Nepal, organized a Futsal Tournament on 16th Aug 2018. There was a participation of over 140 participants comprising of 14 teams.