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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEON YOUTH POLICY AND RESEARCH

VIENNA, 23-25 September 2009

Ms. Golda EL-KHOURY (Lebanon)

Chief, Section for Youth,Sport and Physical EducationDivision for Social Science Research and PolicySocial and Human Sciences SectorUNESCO

Title:Building evidence-based and cross-sectoral National Youth Policies: UNESCOsstrategic action and response

ABSTRACT:

The effort to develop and effectively implement evidence-based cross-sectoralyouth related policies is not a simple task: it entails a cycle of actions, a series ofparameters that cannot be objectively measured and significant challengesthroughout the different stages of the process. Such policies require an effectiveand sustainable coordination of the actions of the different Sectoral Ministries bya Youth Ministry or Department established at the highest level. Moreover, theypresuppose the integration of the National Youth Policy in the NationalDevelopment plans with respective budgetary allocation and engagement of theMinistry of Finance and Ministry of Planning. Finally, the challenges relating tothe pertinence and the use of the evidence/knowledge available for thedevelopment and monitoring of such policies are also significant.

However, the effort to develop and implement such policies is by itself a stepforward and opens up a series of opportunities for all stakeholders involved,individually and collectively: each sectoral Ministry is empowered to betteraddress youth concerns related to its fields of competence and the Youth Ministryis more effective in monitoring progress against the evidence-based priorities andindicators set in the national development plan. Moreover, the necessity oflinking policy development to scientific knowledge in order to achievedevelopment objectives is interrelated with a double-faceted principle: (i) on theone hand, the knowledge appropriate for accountable and effective policies isnecessarily co-produced by governments, academics, the civil society and youthand that (ii) on the other hand, in so far policies lack participation and

democratic scrutiny they fail to take account of crucial information about theperspectives, views and values of the people to whom they apply and whose activeinvolvement is necessary to make them work. The participation of young peopleall throughout the process is key to the success in creating an enabling policyenvironment for youth development and empowerment.

Therefore, how do we best develop such policies? How do we effectivelycoordinate contributions and actions of different sectoral Ministries and manage

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the relevant budget allocations? How do we ensure the effective and sustainedparticipation of youth throughout the process? Finally, how can we effectivelylink research to policy development and how can we monitor the impact of suchpolicies in relation to the evidence that served as the basis for their formulation.

The current presentation will seek to provide a preliminary response to thosequestions by providing a global outlook of the process for the development ofcross-sectoral and evidence-based policies. It will introduce the different stages ofand considerations related to their formulation and implementation, stressing onthe modalities for an effective cross-sectoral coordination and financing as wellas on mechanisms enabling to translate evidence into policy provisions. It willalso highlight UNESCOs work in this field, particularly under the draft GlobalStrategy on Youth, currently developed by the UNESCO Social and HumanSciences Sector.