HELVETAS promotes youth-led advocacy initiatives for local development

Understanding the importance of national outreach and collaboration of like-minded state and non-state institutions

in pursuing local level development through advocacy, a leading International non-Governmental Organization HELVETAS Sri Lanka recently conducted a forum in Colombo under the theme “The Crossing Boundaries Youth (CBY) Project” to create the awareness of authorities on issues related to country’s youth unemployment, sexual abuses, drug related issues, prevention of underage marriages & early pregnancies and also cases related to early marriages.    

The objective of conducting the National Forum was to present advocacy recommendations formulated by several youth in the districts of Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Matara and Trincomalee. The forum was also attended by government officials, civil society organizations.

HELVETAS Sri Lanka is an international development organization which has been actively contributing to humanitarian and development actions in Sri Lanka since 1978. 
Making the keynote address on ‘The Role of Youth and Responsibility of State in ensuring youth participation in local and national level policy process’ Senior Development Consultant Dr. Dayani Panagoda highlighted several policy recommendations based on priority areas identified by youth in their
respective districts. 

She also highlighted how responsible officials help to minimize key issues of youth such as unemployment issue, their early marriages and eliminating drug issues.
She further highlighted that the state patronage towards these key issues are immensely needed.
The panel discussion was moderated by Hashtag Generation, Head Darshatha Gamage and participated by panelists Centre for Monitoring Election Violence, Head D.M. Dissanayake, Founder of Amplifying Impact Hafsah Muheed and HYPE Sri Lanka, Founder Chiranthi Senanayake;
The discussion also reiterated the importance of taking youth participation in social, economic and political spaces. 

The forum was represented by high profile personalities in the caliber of National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Chairman Shakya Nanayakkara, Executive Director A.H. Lakshan De Zoysa, National Unity and reconciliation, Assistant Director Lakshi Ranasinghe, Janasabha Secretariat, Director Akalanka Hettiarachchi, Uthpala Adhikari and Seuwandi Yapa.