ROLE OF YOUTH GROUPS IN A DEMOCRACY Aguilla Life 青年群体中一个民主安圭拉生活角色.pptVIP

THE ROLE OF Young people IN the Democratic process Presentation by Henry Charles, Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre. The Valley, Anguilla – March 2007 THESIS Young people can and should play a critical role in the democratic process. Young people must be empowered to become active participants in and beneficiaries of the democratic process. PERSPECTIVES OF DEMOCRACY POPULAR DEMOCRACY PEOPLES POWER SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY SOCIAL DEMOCRACY US STYLE DEMOCRACY WESTMINISTER DEMOCRACY DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF A DEMOCRACY CONSTITUTION PARLIAMENT EXECUTIVE ARM JUDICIARY LAW AND ORDER PUBLIC SERVICE CIVIL SOCIETY ELEMENTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS Recognition and protection of fundamental Human Rights (freedom of expression, etc,) Independent Judiciary Adult Suffrage (right to vote) Electoral System ( political parties, Public Policy (formulation, implementation and evaluation) Economic empowerment and Social inclusion Professional Public Service Rule of Law (legislation, police) Private sector Civil society OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS – FORM OR SUBSTANCE? YOUTH IMPERATIVE Ineffective youth development strategies Social problems and challenges have disproportionate impact on youth. Deformed youth participation strategies Absence of sustainable youth leadership development programmes. Social exclusion Deformed Juvenile justice systems Problem based approach to youth development. The verdict FORM: basic outline, structures of democratic process are evident. SUBSTANCE: our democratic processes are fragile, inefficient and in need of urgent reform. A source of increasing discontent and alienation. ENHANCING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS- ACTION POINTS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IMPROVING THE LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FORMULATION PROCESS. ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF THE STATE TO FACILITATE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES REFORM AND MODERNIZATION OF TRADE UNIONS AND OTHER CIVIC ORGANIZA