With the shrinking of civic space in the region especially during COVID-19, engaging regional bodies that can influence member states has become increasingly necessary so that programming and other development interventions can be better implemented.
Gender disparities and violation of various rights are incentivized in this environment. Our priorities, therefore, are two-pronged: (1) improve the space for youth participation, and (2) empower the youth to participate and improve the civic space. We respond to the call of the time— the arduous political environment we are operating in, and the deepening interest of young people to participate. We put emphasis on the leadership, and the power of the
individual and collective voices of children and youth.
We will strengthen our partnership with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, and launch a continuing dialogue between this regional body and young people to contribute to the effective implementation of AICHR’s five-year work plan, and its other functions. The absence of a counterpart regional body in South Asia is another focus of the APAC Regional Hub. In partnership with CSOs and youth-led groups we will amplify their call to create a functional human rights mechanism in South Asia.
Together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) civil society center and Youth for Asia, we will continue to promote young people as stakeholders and influencers in the work of ADB and the wider sustainable development agenda with a focus on youth economic empowerment.
About Plan International, Girls Get Equal, Youth empowerment, Activism, Civic engagement, girls’ leadership
