Haiti Celebrates International Youth Day

On August 12^th, several hundred Haitian
young people gathered to celebrate International Youth Day. This day celebrates
youth as partners in today’s global society, and promotes the engagement and
participation of youth in sustainable development. Youth engagement is at the
heart of the strategy of Partners’ Nutrition Security Program (NSP) for the
promotion of good nutrition practices for sustainable change. Partners supports
the Haitian Ministry of Health and Population by strengthening the capacity of
community health workers and traditional birth attendants in nutrition.
Partners has also improved coordination with health ministry staff and health
institutions in order to achieve better coverage of services such as
prevention, screening, referral and managements of cases of malnutrition.

Young people aged 10-19 account for more than 37% of the Haitian population
and can play a key role in the promotion and adoption of good nutrition
practices. NSP and its local partner organization FOSREF have mobilized young
people in fourteen towns in four departments to enhance youths’ nutrition
capacity. Because there is great need but also a great desire to learn among
young people, NSP facilitates bi-monthly meetings of youth groups to discuss
health and nutrition, values, principles, decision making, life skills, civic
engagement, and leadership. Acquiring these skills enables youth to gain experience
and arms them with the confidence to participate in social change in their
communities. These young people are empowered to be leaders among their families,
their peers, and in their communities. Currently, 1,875 young girls and boys regularly
participate in these groups.  Other school-age
children and students attend Vendredi
Vert (Green Fridays), weekly sessions on environment, sanitation and
hygiene.

Young people are also supported by the
entire community network set up by NSP. This network consists of Care Groups
and other influencing leaders, and regularly engages 20,597 women, 1,278 grandmothers
and 1,362 fathers. Community leaders, community-based organizations,
participants in the farmer field schools established by another USAID funded-program
called AVANSE, and local institutions also come to support youth. As a result,
young leaders become aware of their role and prepare to become tomorrow's active
citizens, striving to be worthy, accountable, honest, brilliant and committed
to ensure the progress of their country, starting in the communities and
counties in which they live.

 

The theme of this year’s International Youth Day was "Youth Civic
Engagement" and focused on the value of involving and including youth in
contributing to their future. In Haiti, the event’s slogan was "Jèn Yo
La" (Youth Engagement) and was promoted by a logo that dynamically
represented key skills for young people: leadership, nutrition and
participation. Young people were full of energy and promise in the Canaan
commune of Croix-des-Bouquets, in Thibeau, the commune of Milot, in Caracol, in
Fort-Liberté and in Ouanaminthe. NSP organized six large gatherings where 973
young men and women participated in thematic discussions and presentations
related to the potential of youth as partners for social change and
opportunities for the local associations and authorities to take appropriate steps
to meet the needs of the younger generation. The talks were facilitated by NSP
staff, youth leaders and personnel from local health institutions. During time
between sessions, young people also showcased their talents and eloquence and
expressed their wishes to see more quality education, and improved vocational
training and job placement. Participants also received booklets covering topics
related to adolescence, health, values, principles, life skills, hygiene, sport,
and nutrition.

As part of NSP, young people are connected with Care Groups and meet at
least once a month to discuss and seek solutions together to the challenges and
barriers to their initiatives and proposals. They want answers to their
questions about society and about themselves. They share their experiences and
seek further training. Young leaders are getting ready to significantly
contribute to changes in health, nutrition, and much more. Young people want
every citizen to become aware and know that today's youth are committed to the
advancement of their community and the progress of their country.

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