The National Youth Institute (NYI) - Suriname

National Youth Institute of the Ministry of Sport & Youth Affairs, Suriname

Description of the Experience:

The National Youth Institute promotes the participation of the Suriname youth in youth policy. The youth gets the opportunity from the government of Suriname to support the youth policy by active participation, carrying out initiatives that lead to solutions of youth issues. The main task of this institute is to provide the central government with relevant / contemporary advice/ input on youth issues. The government, on the other hand, makes sure the requests/ advices are put into action.

Activities:

• The National Youth Congress and the election of the National Youth Parliament every 3 years.
• Every 2 years the election of the Caricom Youth Ambassadors and the Millennium Development Goals Youth Ambassadors. All these youth representatives are elected by their peers and conduct their own projects and programs.

I am serving my second term as ambassador. It has been a great experience to serve as Youth Ambassador so far. I have learned a lot and I would encourage every youngster to participate in the programs, but also dare to take leadership positions.

Mr. Faizal Abdoelgafoer (MDG Youth Ambassador) (23 years old)

Results:

• One of the National Youth Conferences which is organized by the NYI/National Youth Parliament, young people indicated that they would like their own ministry of sports and youth affairs. This government implemented this ministry in 2010.
• Another example is that at the Youth Conference which is held every year, young people decides that they would like to have an election for the Millennium Development Goals Youth Ambassadors and that the National Youth Parliament have to choose them instead of being appointed by the Director of Youth Affairs.

Challenges:

• The challenge is to have at least 85% of the youth to participate in the activities of the Youth Parliament in order to maximize youth participation on a policy level.
• To create more awareness among young people of the opportunities given by the Government to participate. For example; they can participate in the different programs of the National Youth Parliament, the Caricom- and Millennium Development Goals Youth Ambassadors programs.

It has been a great experience to serve as Youth Parliamentarian. Although it meant some extra work, I was still able to combine this with my University studies and other (social) activities.

Ms. Praatna Sital (Youth Parliamentarian) (24 years old)

Lessons Learned:

One of the best mechanisms that have emerged from the efforts of Youth inclusion is the National Youth Parliament. Young people are now represented by their own pears. They have now an official platform to file their complaints, share ideas, help define policy which can have impact on Youth. There is a huge potential in the youth and the government can get lots of input from them.

Contact Person:

Mrs Chandra Algoe, LLM, Chandra.algoe@yahoo.com

Mr Aniel Ghisaidoobe, Senior Policy Advisor  and Policy officer, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Suriname, adoobe@gmail.com