National Youth Development Policy Reference Manual

The last decade has been a period during which the world experienced fundamental, political, economic and socio-cultural changes. These changes will inevitably affect at least the first decade of the twenty- first century as well. Young people represent agents, beneficiaries and victims of major societal changes and are generally confronted by a paradox, seeking to be integrated into an existing order or to serve as a force to transform that order. Young people in all parts of the world, living in countries at different stages of development and in different socio-economic settings, aspire to full participation in the life of society. This national programme for Youth provides a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people in Jamaica. It contains proposals for action to the year 2008, aiming at achieving the objectives of the UN Youth policy objectives and at fostering conditions and mechanisms to promote improved well being and livelihood among young people in Jamaica. This Programme of Action, focuses in particular, on measures to strengthen national capacities in the field of youth and to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to young people for full, effective and constructive participation in society.