ASEAN is a region with 370 million youth which covers 60% of population: 620 million. It has 11 Southeast Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in 11 countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Lao, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste with 4.6 million youth and 1 million volunteers.

Red Cross Youth in ASEAN also addressed Red Cross Youth challenges as follows:

• Lack of right skill such as facilitation and peer education which will open minds and enhance burning desires for positive social change
• Inspirational opportunities in the access to community actions (no adult directed, but youth- led/designed) and supportive environment
• Recognize the volunteerism and achievement of youth action

To provide solutions for those above challenges and address/inspire youth for a positive change, IFRC CCST Bangkok office provide with this guide for the youth empowerment programme in communities.

Purpose:

Youth Empowerment in Community (YEC) Programme Guide Pilot version was designed for a purpose of youth empowerment at communities to deeply address the issues of communities and inspire their positive change through youth innovative solutions by enhancing the knowledge, practicing in the field and gaining fresh perspective about the community challenges in a more peaceful and resilient way.  The programme has four steps; Step 1; Trainings on youth such as Youth as Agents of Behavioural Change (YABC), Step 2; Field school and Practice in the field, Step 3; Community/School Actions, Step 4; Monitoring, peer learning and expansion.

The guide has a participant-centred, experiential learning approach which leads to creative platforms. It supports youth to discuss the social issues by addressing/identifying specific gaps/issues and their root causes in their existing knowledge and practice, giving all possible solutions to such issues by their own, through sharing their personal experiences and to demonstrate in communities/schools through a creative platform; theatre, dance, music, arts and sports activities. In a second phase, Children and youths collect the feedback from the community/school and reflect together to make a ‘from their heart to their mind’ changing journey to become responsible members of community challenges.

Usage: Guide for implementation

Audience: Youth leaders in National Societies

See also the related event in social inclusion held in Vientiane, Lao PDR

See also the case studies of Youth Empowerment:

• Youth partnership promoting non-violence – Viet Nam Red Cross Society – Da Nang Chapter
• Youth volunteers supporting people with HIV/AIDS – Cambodia Red Cross Society – Siem Ream Branch