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Red Cross and Red Crescent Asia Pacific Youth Network Guidelines 1. Vision and Mission Our vision Provide a dynamic, well co-ordinated network for Asia Pacific youth to be the positive change in our society. Our mission To utilise the Asia Pacific network in improving communication, resource mobilisation, and enhancing service delivery in our aspirations for positive change. Our principles Asia Pacific Youth Network activities are guided by the fundamental principles of the International Movement; Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. .
2. Definition Definition of Asia Pacific Zone The IFRC definition of the Asia Pacific Zone includes thirtyfive National Societies in four sub-regions; South Asia, SouthEast Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific. Definition of Asia Pacific Youth Network The Asia Pacific Youth Network is a dynamic interconnected support system. It provides a platform for youth to interact, meet and remain in communication for mutual understanding, service to humanity and capacity building. This system facilitates the sharing of experience and consequently peer-support amongst youth in National Societies in accordance with the Solferino Youth Declaration 2009 and the IFRC Strategy 2020 The Asia Pacific Youth Network consists of: § Youth focal points of all National Societies who have pledged support for the Asia Pacific Youth Network. § Elected Steering Committee of four youth representatives; one from each sub-region. § Elected Coordination Committee of eight youth coordinators; two from each sub-region. § Asia Pacific representatives on the IFRC Youth Commission. § Secretariat. The Asia Pacific Youth Network is a platform for collaboration between Red Cross Red Crescent youth. Thus, both volunteer and staff participation from National Societies is encouraged. The Asia Pacific Youth Network is supported by Volunteering and Organisational Development, IFRC Asia Pacific Zone Office, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1
Definition of Sub-Regional Youth Networks The Asia Pacific Youth Network is sub-divided into four functional sub-regional youth networks: Five East Asian National Societies: China, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Mongolia. Twelve Pacific National Societies: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Tuvalu. Seven South Asian National Societies: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Eleven South-East Asian National Societies: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.
3. Strategic Functions I)
Resource Centre; to provide collaborative information and opportunities to improve youth-led and youth-facilitated service delivery in Asia Pacific National Societies The Asia Pacific Youth Network will: § Facilitate best practice and technical expertise exchange via online platforms, publications, or face to face opportunities. § Facilitate training opportunities for dissemination of best practice or high demand youth-led services to National Societies. § Facilitate capacity building by enabling young people as innovators in using latest technologies to communicate Red Cross Humanitarian Values, ideas and principles. § Facilitate youth empowerment to drive forward behavioural change into their local community, youth leadership, promotion of humanitarian values and good governance through proved successful implementation of Youth as Agents of Behavioural Change (YABC) toolkit.
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Advocacy Platform; promote greater youth leadership in organisational decision-making and service development in Asia Pacific National Societies Sustainable youth empowerment in National Societies will comprise: § Development of strong youth policies, youth strategies and youth-friendly governance cultures. § Establishment of structures which facilitate governance training, progression and smooth succession, including national or local youth committees. § Allocation of youth roles on high-level decision-making bodies including the Governing Boards. § Engagement of youth in needs analyses and service development, developing leadership skills and creativity in designing services for vulnerable people. The Asia Pacific Youth Network will advocate for greater youth leadership in National Societies by: § Demonstrating the power of youth through a strong online presence and dissemination of Asia Pacific Youth Network and National Societies youth success stories. § Demonstrating the power of youth through high-profile Zonal youth events, youth inclusion in Zonal events, youth inclusion in broader Movement events, and youth inclusion in events external to IFRC. § Advocating directly to National Society leaders for youth development and leadership opportunities; and promoting commendable National Societies who are achieving this. § Developing a strong mentoring structure within Asia Pacific Youth Network leadership to cultivate young leaders. § Developing joint statements as necessary on humanitarian diplomacy issues.
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III) Think Tank; to develop joint Zonal projects between Asia Pacific National Societies Joint projects aim to collectively enhance youth-led National Society activities. The Asia Pacific Youth Network will: § Provide online and intermittent face-to-face opportunities for Zonal project development. § Coordinate Zonal project development including peer support groups, skill sharing networks, common advocacy campaigns and exchange programs. § Conceptualise ideas and programs to integrate youth in all aspects of service delivery of National Societies such as Disaster preparedness and response, campaigns for Humanitarian Diplomacy, climate change programs and climate change programs. § Foster international relations. IV) Communication Channel; partnership and engagement with the broader International Movement, and Red Cross Youth Volunteers The Asia Pacific Youth Network will influence the region by forging genuine and respectful partnerships with Movement and National Society leaders while demonstrating a productive, accountable and credible Asia Pacific Youth Network structure. The Asia Pacific Youth Network will: § Develop ongoing relationships with National Societies and IFRC Zonal leadership. § Develop an ongoing relationship with the IFRC Youth Commission. § Maintain an engaged, elected leadership structure with National Society approval. § Maintain a clear relationship and supportive mechanism with National Societies and National Society focal points. § Maintain a funded secretariat in the IFRC Asia Pacific Zonal Headquarters. § Be transparent to National Society and Zonal leaders in the tangible implementation of our goals. § Use technology and innovation to promote partnership and new ideas amongst youth for promoting Red Cross Red Crescent principles and values.
4. Working Procedures and Protocols 4.1. Business of the Asia Pacific Youth Network The Asia Pacific Youth Network, including National Society youth focal points, will meet every two years at the Asia Pacific Youth Summit for: § Decision-making regarding the agenda and action plan for the Asia Pacific Youth Network for the following 2 years. § Election of the Steering Committee and Coordination Committee. § Specific Asia Pacific Youth Network activities such as exchange program, training in services, or advocacy programs. The Asia Pacific Youth Network Steering Committee, Asia Pacific Youth Network Coordination Committee, IFRC Youth Commission representatives and the Asia Pacific Youth Network Secretariat will meet at least once per year. The implementation of the Asia Pacific Youth Network agenda will be coordinated by these groups. The day-to-day business of the Asia Pacific Youth Network will be conducted by online mechanisms.
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4.2 Leadership The Asia Pacific Youth Network Steering Committee consists of four members representing the four subregions. Steering Committee roles are: § § § § § §
Working with the Secretariat in the day-to-day activities of the Asia Pacific Youth Network. Coordinating and facilitating implementation of the two-year Action Plan to achieve Asia Pacific Youth Network roles as a resource centre, advocacy platform, think tank and communications channel for Asia Pacific youth. Leading and consulting with sub-regional youth coordinators. Representing Asia Pacific youth to National Society leadership, Asia Pacific Zonal leadership, the Asia Pacific Zonal Office, the IFRC Youth Commission and the broader Movement. Coordinating preparation for the Asia Pacific Youth Summit every two years. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Asia Pacific Youth Network.
The Asia Pacific Youth Network Coordination Committee consists of eight members; two from each subregion. Coordination Committee roles are: § § § § § § §
Coordination and facilitating implementation of sub-regional aspects of the two-year Asia Pacific Youth Network Action Plan. Support the Steering Committee member of their sub-region in implementation of the broader two-year Action Plan. Regularly maintain a current database of youth focal points in every National Society in the sub-region. Lead and consult with National Society youth focal points. Assisting the Steering Committee in the organisation of an Asia Pacific Youth Summit every two years. Represent sub-regional youth at Asia Pacific Youth Network leadership meetings and to the IFRC subregional delegation. Maintaining communication within sub regional zones for the sharing of best practices.
The two Asia Pacific members who represent Zonal youth on the IFRC Youth Commission are encouraged to nominate for a position on the Steering Committee or Coordination Committee of the Asia Pacific Youth Network. If these representatives are not nominated or elected for a position, they will still be included in the deliberations and meetings of the Steering Committee and Coordination Committee. Elections: § § § §
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Elections will be held at the Asia Pacific Youth Summit every two years. The Steering Committee will be elected by secret ballot. Steering Committee elections are not subregional, i.e. youth focal points from National Societies in all sub-regions will cast votes for each of the four Steering Committee positions. Each National Society will cast one vote in each of four sub-regional categories. The Coordination Committee will be selected or elected on a sub-regional basis. The two Coordination Committee members will be selected through discussion between the new Steering Committee youth representative for that sub-region and the present youth-focal points. If no consensus is reached, a subregional election will be held. Steering Committee members are elected for a term of two years. If the term-length must be shortened, the Steering Committee member must form a pre-agreement with a Coordination Committee member who will succeed him/her until the next election. Coordination Committee members are selected or elected for a term of two years. If the term-length must be shortened, the remaining Coordination Committee member and the Steering Committee 4
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member for that sub-region may select and include a replacement ‘Acting Coordination Committee member’ in the interim, at their discretion. Only members aged thirty or under at time of first election are eligible for nomination to the Steering Committee or Coordination Committee. The twelve members of the Steering Committee and Coordination Committee must all be from different National Societies. There must be a minimum of one volunteer elected on the Steering Committee and two volunteers on the Coordination Committee. Red Cross Red Crescent experience is a vital characteristic for any candidates. Steering Committee and Coordination Committee members must seek endorsement of their National Society leadership to act in their roles. It is recommended that endorsement is sought prior to election, although this may not always be possible.
4.3 Youth focal points in NSs The Asia Pacific Youth Network is not a formal governance body, but a platform for joint collaboration between National Society youth. National Society involvement is optional, although it is strongly encouraged. All thirty-five National Societies within the Asia Pacific Zone are invited to participate in the Asia Pacific Youth Network. National Societies who participate in the Asia Pacific Youth Network will: § Sign a simple pledge that National Society youth would like to be involved in the Asia Pacific Youth Network. § Provide two youth focal points to maintain communication, and update the Asia Pacific Youth Network as changes occur. National Society youth focal points: § Two focal points, preferably one staff and one volunteer. It is recommended that they are in positions of influence of National Society youth activities. § Must be aged thirty or under at time at first nomination. One of the youth focal points may be a staff member aged over 30, but they are cannot attend the biennial Asia Pacific Youth Summit and are required to send a proxy aged 30 or under. § Experience/knowledge/skill needed of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement principles and values, IFRC structure and the youth-related activities of their National Society. The two sub-regional Coordination Committee members will continuously maintain an updated list of youth focal points and contact details, and regularly communicate to ensure the National Society remains involved. Observers will be invited into Asia Pacific Youth Network online communication and to the biennial Asia Pacific Youth Summit at the discretion of the Steering Committee. With regard to National Societies which have administratively separate sections, observer youth focal points will be invited from their youth group. Observers will not have a vote at the Asia Pacific Youth Summit. 4.4 Interaction with other sub-regional and regional actors The Steering Committee will represent the Asia Pacific Youth Network in deliberations with National Society leadership, the Asia Pacific Zonal Office, the IFRC Youth Commission and the broader Movement. The Asia Pacific Youth Network Steering Committee and Coordination Committee will work in unison with the Asia Pacific Youth Network secretariat and Asia Pacific Zonal Office. 4.5 Resources The Asia Pacific Youth Network is supported by a Secretariat based at the Volunteering and Organisational Development Unit, Asia Pacific Zonal Office, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 5
The Secretariat consists of a: § Full-time staff member based in the Volunteering and Organisation Development Unit. § 1 or more off-site volunteers in 3-12 month placements to assist the Secretariat administratively. § 1 or more on-site volunteers in 1-6 month placements to assist the Secretariat administratively. The Asia Pacific Youth Network Fund will be managed by the Volunteering and Organisation Development Unit based in Kuala Lumpur. The Asia Pacific Youth Network will request sponsorship from IFRC and from National Societies with the goal of a thriving Asia Pacific Youth Network which enhances youth empowerment and contributions within National Societies. Funding will be required for: § Full-time staff member and administrative materials for the Asia Pacific Youth Network Secretariat. § Biennial Asia Pacific Youth Summit. § One or more annual meeting of the Steering and Coordination Committees. § Funding for projects such as deployment of trainers in youth-led services on National Society requirement. Other resources necessary for a successful Asia Pacific Youth Network include: § Technical support from the Asia Pacific Zonal Office and IFRC Youth Geneva for online platforms for program exchange and project development. § Communications support from the Asia Pacific Zonal Office and IFRC Youth Geneva. § Secretariat volunteers will be invited from National Societies in the Zone.
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