De jeunes bénévoles Codap à l’ONU
Les 21 et 22 novembre derniers, 4 tous nouveaux et jeunes bénévoles Codap se sont rendus à l’ONU dans le cadre du premier « Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the rule of law ». Arun, jeune étudiant Sri-Lankais faisait partie de ces heureux privilégies. A cette occasion il a rédigé un petit retraçant les grandes lignes des différentes discussions qui ont pris place ce jour-là.
The first Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law held on 21st and 22nd November 2016 at United Nations office Geneva. On that special day, our Codap team also actively participated in the event. It was very useful and important for young emerging young human rights activists like Codap volunteers. Many young human rights activists from all over the world were represented at the special event organized by the UN Human Rights council.
Purpose of the forum
The purpose of the forum is “to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between human rights and decision making areas” and to “identify and analyze best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law from the youths”.
We have discussed about the current human rights issues and challenges like women and age discriminations, religious problems, minority people’s problems from all over the countries etc.
Human rights activists having security issues lack of support from the governments and especially ypung people. It’s difficult for them to make their time as they have to juggle with their studies, work and activism. These are amongst the problems faced by young human rights activists. For these reasons and several others, young people are reluctant to actively get involve in the promotion and the defense of human rights. Many of them say that « most of the youngsters don’t believe in politics”. So, as human rights activists, we have to create a space to allow them to take an active part in the defense of human rights.
Thanks to the different panels and the guest speakers present at this event, we have now a better understanding not only of issues and challenges linked to topic of human rights from different part of the world, but also to innovative ideas and solutions to overcome them.
Forum’s participants asked the UN to consider and concentrate on the role youth could play in the activities linked to the promotion of human rights. The UN promised to encourage youth participation in their projects.
Taking part to this forum gave us insights on how to apply democracy and the rule of law to our society, how to foster young people involvement into human rights activities, help them take the leadership and be part of the decision-making processes.
It was a great pleasure to participate to be part of this event and I am really thankful to the Codap to have given me this wonderful opportunity.
Thank you!
By: Arunjeev Arunthavarajah
Un rapport détaillé des différents panels de discussions auxquels ont pris par les bénévoles est disponible ici (en anglais).
