MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTATNDING
BETWEEN
THE NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT OF THE GAMBIA
AND
THE GAMBIA RED CROSS SOCIETY-NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION
1. INTRODUCTION
The young people of the Gambia are overwhelmed by thetragic and unbearable reports that globally road traffic injuries is the second leadingcause of death (WHO Report) for youth aged between 5 and 25 years. Of the 1.2 millionpeople who lose their lives in road traffic crashes each year, almost a third of them areyouth under the age of 25 years.
Recognising the significant stridesmade by the world’s young people including The Gambia’s active participationat the first United Nations Global Road Safety Conference from the 23rd-24th April 2007 held in Geneva, Switzerland.These young people most of whom were youth representatives of various countries, were inspired, empowered and encouraged to serve as ambassadors both at home and abroad to advocate for the safety of young people on the world’s roads.
Significantly, it is important to note thateach day, 1049lives are suddenly ended because of a road traffic crash. While many more people survive, they are left with life-changing injuries,thus,stressing the danger and consequencies exposed to the young people of the world.
Acknowledging the need for effective collaboration andpartnership between various institutions in adopting a united standin making the roads safer for everyone,we the undersigned institutions (theNational Youth Parliament of The Gambia and the Gambia Red Cross Society) hereby agreed as statedbelow to develop a synergy in responding to the devastating impact of road accidents in the Gambia.
2. PROFILE OF ORGANISATIONS
2.1 National Youth Parliament
The National Youth Parliament of the Gambia (NYP) is a legally registered National Youth Organisation with the National YouthCouncil under the 2000 National Youth Council Act. It is alsoregistered as a Charitable Organisation under the 1955 CompaniesAct at the Attorney Generals Chambers of the Gambia with theregistration number 923/2005.The NYP is a representative advocacy network of young people. Itwas established in 2002. It composed of seven Regional YouthParliaments. Each regional parliament has 30 youthparliamentarians who serve as representatives from theirrespective districts, Schools, Constituencies and Community BasedOrganisations.It operates an administrativeSecretariat which is run by the National Executive Council as theCoordinating body of the parliament. The General Assemblyis the highest decision making body of the parliament and meetsevery six months whilst the central body that monitors and supports the National Executive Council meets every three months.The National Youth Parliament aims at inculcating responsiblecitizenship in young people and enables their effective and positiveparticipation in national and international development processes.
2.2Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS)-The National Youth Commission
The GRCS was established by an Act of parliament Cap: 51:01 laws of The Gambia, is recognized by the government of The Gambia as a Voluntary Relief Society auxiliary to the Public Authority particularly the Armed Forces Medical Services in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. The GRCS started as a branch of the British Red Cross Society in 1948 and became an independent National Society in 1966.The National Society was admitted to the league of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1974 as the 122nd member of the Movement. It has established Red Cross branches in all the seven administrative Regions and Municipalities. About 80% of the volunteers are young people aged 15-30 years under the national youth commission. The youth commission has a volunteer base of some 30,000 countrywide and is seen as the invincible arm and the central nervous of the GRCS.
3. AREAS OF COLLABORATION
1. Capacity Building
2. Resource mobilization
3. Lobbying and advocacy
We the undersigned organisations (NYPand GRCS)
hereby agreed on the following objectives as stated
below.
4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE/ RATIONAL
1. To raise greater awareness on road safety through the promotion of the use of seat belts, observation of speed limits, respect for traffic signs and symbols, and proper maintenance of vehicles.
2. To build a synergy in responding to challenges facing young people as a result of road accidents and its devastating impact.
3. To expose each other to new partners and opportunitiesfor the promotion and participation of young people in addressing the socio-economic impact of road accidents in The Gambia.
4. To develop joint youth programs aimed at the empowerment, protection and support in creating safer road conditions both in The Gambia and beyond.
5. To initiate a joint Public Education program gearedtowards raising awareness among the general public and capacity building trainings on the issues of road safety.
6. To involve students and other road users in dialogue with the aim of incorporating positive behaviours towards responsible uses of our roads
7. To train 3000 commercial drivers on First Aid to respond to accident related injuries and reduce death cases resulted in the car accident for lack of First Aid.
8. Provision of First Aid box for each driver trained for treatment of casualties of car accidents
5. AGREEMENTS
5.1 The NYP and GRCS agreed that;
1. Both parties commit themselves in the implementation of the set goals and aspirations of this MOU.
2. This partnership can include new organisations that have similar objectives in addressing road safety in the Gambia.
3. Both parties will continue to compliment the efforts of the governmentthrough working with therelevant department and other relevant stakeholders in achieving the set goals of this partnership.
4. To establish a joint committee to develop programs and activities on road safety in The Gambia.
5. Create a joint secretariat which shall be headed by a Chairperson.
6. Operational Guide
1. A joint monitoring team shall be set up to develop and monitor allprograms under this partnership.
2. In case of joint programs, each of the two institutions willshare reports and all other relevant information.
3. Any of the partners opting to withdraw from the partnership shall put in writing at least three months beforethe withdrawal with outlined reason(s).
SIGNATURE:
Name: …Hon Maimuna Sarr Signed: ……………………………
The National Speaker NYP
Name…Mr Ousainou O. Jallow Signed…………………………......
The National Youth Director GRCS
WITNESS:
Name: …Hon Ousman Conteh (ProgramOfficer) Signed: ……………………………..
Org: National Youth Parliament
Name: …Ebou Sarr (VMC) Signed: ……………………………….
Org: GRCS- National Youth Commission
Date: Wednesday, 17th March 2010 Venue: KMC Chambers, Kanifing, The Gambia