Port-au-Prince, September 17, 2023 --- The Observatory for Haitian Youth (OJH) organized, with the support of UNFPA, a consultation workshop for young civic leaders responsible for youth sections of democratic structures, in Port-au-Prince, September 16, 2023.

This workshop brought together around thirty young people of both sexes from different structures in the Haitian socio-political space.

The OJH informed participants about a set of commitments made by Haiti regarding the civic participation of young people. These commitments concern those of Nairobi, adopted in 2019, in Kenya, resolution 2250 taken in 2015 around the theme “Youth, peace and security” and the United Nations Conference of Least Developed Countries.

“Despite a significant emigration of young people due to their despair, a certain number continue to engage in democratic structures, aspiring to invest in decision-making spaces,” said the Secretary General of the OJH, Stanley Augustin.

“The OJH, to follow up on the Doha action plan supported by the United Nations Population Fund, wanted to focus on these ignored actors by organizing this workshop,” said Augustin.

Civic leaders participated in several thematic groups during which they mentioned obstacles to youth participation, opportunities and strategies to strengthen youth participation in discussion spaces and decision-making processes.

Civic leaders reported a lack of representation of young people at the state level, poor integration of young people into political parties, a lack of confidence of young people in political organizations, low recognition of young people at the political and social level, a lack of civic engagement of young people in Haiti, a lack of training on political participation, a lack of application of the legal framework for the supervision of young people and the non -participation of the Armed Forces of Haiti in the training of young people.

The OJH welcomed, through its Secretary General, Stanley Augustin, “this thirst for networking space and this conviviality generated by civic leaders coming from different structures”.

“The OJH and these young civic leaders are committed to strengthening spaces for exchange, to advocating for the full participation of youth in the public space, based on commitments made by Haiti in matters of of youth,” added Augustin.

Civic leaders stressed the need for funding of youth sections of political parties, youth representation in the Provisional Electoral Council and strengthening civic education.

“This workshop allowed us to reconnect with our commitment to respecting democracy in Haiti,” said Delphine Schoubensa Octavius, Ambassador of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the OJH.

“We are surprised by the commitments made by Haiti regarding young people. While the latter do not participate in the decisions that are made in the country,” noted the pair of SRH educators at PROFAMIL. “We would like there to be follow-up from young civic leaders so that more young people get involved in this dynamic,” she hoped.

Speaking on behalf of the UNFPA Representative in Haiti, Philippe Serge Degernier, the Communications and Partnership Analyst, Vario Sérant, congratulated the OJH for this initiative.

In Haiti, people aged 15 to 24, young people, represent 19.3% of the general population. Those under 25 make up 51.4% of the general population. The median age of the population is 23.2. Those under 18 represent 38.1% of the general population.

Text and photos: Vario Sérant