Debate: Decent Work for Sustainable Development in Somaliland.
Somaliland, though unrecognised, has committed to uphold and promote global development strategies to ensure citizens benefit from global collective efforts improve wellbeing.
These commitments include the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which was adopted in September 2015. These goals are intended to guide international development policy and practice up until 2030.
Somaliland youth believe that commitment to promote and full the promises in all the SDGs are critically important to Somaliland’s sociocultural, political and economic developments and hence work hard to reach out all vital stakeholders including private and public sectors, international donors, major development institutions, and other civil society organizations to encourage them to act proactively and decisively take a lead in achieving high impact for all.
Bearing this in mind, the Somaliland has launched its new National Development Plan (NDPII) to strategies the implementation of the SDGs and to bring those commitments in them close to the citizens.
The NDPII goals are in line with the Somaliland National Vision 2030 and reflect on Somalilanders’ aspirations for this new development cycle and for taking part in global collective efforts to end poverty and improve social wellbeing.
The panellists called on governments, international development partners and fellow Somaliland youth to take swift and strategic actions to boost job opportunities to and to create more avenues for young people to take control of their lives. Some of the key actions agreed in the debate are as the following:
Somaliland governments will need
- Develop strategic policies and well functioning mechanisms to boost job opportunities for youth
- Implement policies that are youth-centred and include youth as accountability partners so as to harness the demographic dividend;
- Increase budgetary allocations and prioritize resources towards improving education for young people aged 15-35 to enhance their skills and knowledge to acquire jobs.
- Increase the proportion of men, women and youth including persons with disabilities in employment.
- Develop a policy, legal and institutional framework for protecting labour rights, promoting entrepreneurship, safe and secure working environment for all workers, and eliminating child labour
Development Partners will need to:
- Increase the involvement of Somaliland youth in all stages of program and policy-making- from designing, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. This will allow Somaliland youth to fully explore their potential and innovation;
- Advocate for sustainable, accessible and affordable youth friendly services;
- Form synergy in coordinating sustainable youth programs.
Fellow Somaliland youth will need to:
- Have faith and pride in Somaliland’s unique heritage and culture and cultivate positive attitude towards building the country
- be innovative and take initiative to unlock inborn talents and potentials and to create new ways of creating businesses, jobs and community services
- Be competent and vocal to advocate for the rights of all youth and particularly for those who are disadvantaged such as people with disabilities and minority groups.
- Take responsibilities and be active to held political leaders accountable for their promises and actions.
In conclusion, let us close with a great quote by Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” You We have the power to change the world. Let us rise and use it.
Panelists
- Ms. Hinda Jama Hersi: Minister of Employment, Social Affairs and Family
- Yusuf Mire Mohamed: Minister of Youth and Sport
- Sharmaake Geelle: Chairman of Civil Service Commission.
- AbdulAziz Saeed Salah: Chairman ofSomaliland Youth Umbrella Organizations (SONYO)
- Sucaad Armiyeh Odowa: President of Association for Women in Business (AWB)
- AbdiWahab Maax: Telesom Public Engagement and CSR Director
Please find attached a PDF of the Programme with suggested speaking areas. We are sure that your contribution and presence will help to shape the future of Somaliland’s youth.PDF Somaliland Youth Debates-
