National Commemoration of the Commonwealth Day
Introduction
The Commonwealth Youth Programme has youth participation as one of its key working areas on all political, socio-economic and development programmes of its member states. Participation of the young people in all sectors of society is seen as critical to the social and economic transformation of the Commonwealth nations. The CYP Africa region Youth Caucus rightly enforced that young people define the economic landscape of any nation, national elections, peace and stability, conflicts or any social disorders within their families, communities and nation. As such participation at an International level through the Youth programme has opened further opportunities by creating a platform for solidarity and lobbying for the increased youth participation and equal access to national resources and programmes. The Commonwealth day, which falls every second Monday of the month of March, is another platform that has a great potential to increase awareness, explore opportunities, develop useful linkages and drive implementation of the programme of action at a faster pace. Therefore looking at the 2006 Commonwealth day, could be a starting point for the CYP Africa region States to utilise it as an advocacy, awareness and networks building event.
2006 Theme
Health and Vitality: The Commonwealth Challenge
The theme this year focuses on a healthy and strong society, which can positively contribute to the development of their nations. The local commemoration will use the same theme however to focus on achievements made in the Health Sector through support of the Commonwealth states.
The Malawi National Representative to the Commonwealth Youth Programme would use the occasion to raise the issues of the plight of young people living with HIV and Aids and Child headed orphans.
Rationale
The 2006 Commonwealth day commemorations for the Africa region will therefore be designated as a focus point for increasing awareness and advocacy on working areas of the programme through high profile local event at the Kamuzu Institute for Youth. The high profile event will therefore be designed to meet a number of objectives including:
· Raise the profile of the Commonwealth locally and the programmes that are being undertaken in the country in various fields
· Launch national debate on the plight of young people living with HIV and Aids and encourage positive behaviours among the PLWHA’s
· Provide a forum to lobby policy makers and relevant authorities to support CYP programmes locally.
Therefore the proposed 2006 Commonwealth day events will be commemorated on the Sunday 12th March 2006 in Lilongwe with the following activities:
Venue: Kamuzu Institute for Youth
The programme will showcase the achievements of Young people and also programmes that they are undertaking in all the three regions:
Displays by:
· Beneficiaries of the Commonwealth Youth programme
· Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Malawi
· National Youth Council- Star Aware & Big Brother HIV and Aids concerts
· Youth and Service Organisations dealing with Young People Living Positively with HIV and Aids
RESOURCES
HUMAN
Task Force of ten people to coordinate the event
Master of Ceremonies
Entertainment band
MATERIAL
Public Address
Refreshments
Transport for participants
Fuel
Accommodation
Venue
Banners
BUDGET MWK
Public Address = 10 000.00
Refreshments = 25 000.00
Transport for participants = 60 000.00
Band Hiring = 50 000.00
Fuel = 30 000.00
Accommodation = 40 000.00
Publicity and documentation = 50 000.00
Venue booking = 40 000.00
Banners = 20 000.00
Grand total for the Programme = 315 000.00
Grand total: K315 000.00
Three hundred and fifteen thousand kwacha only
USD Dollar equivalent: USD1-129.50 = 2 450.00
All cheques should be payable to the National Youth Council of Malawi