CYF Fremantle: states, youth and meaning

So I've just returned from a week in Perth, in Western Australia, attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Commonwealth Youth Forum, where, at the invitation of the charity CYEC (Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council) I was a facilitator and speaker. Given the range of more grass roots, radical and potentially meaningful activities I could have been involved in during this time then was this anything more than an expenses paid jolly to sunnier climes as the British Winter bites? I hope so and in this piece will try and break down why I participate in Commonwealth related activities and what I've learnt through this particular experience.

Let's put it up front; this isn' the World Social Forum. On the other hand it's not the World Economic Forum either.... the Commonwealth is a visible legacy of colonialism, somewhat anachronistic and irrelevant to the lives of most of the citizens who, often unknowingly, reside within it. Initially formed as an extension of British 'soft' power in the immediate post-colonial period, it is stil subject to the accusation that the majority white and 'developed' ABC states (Australia, Britain and Canada)dominate the other members, mostly former British colonies from across Africa, Asia, the Carribean and the Pacific (with the relatively recent additions of Mozambique and Rwanda, removed from the UKs colnial sphere of control and willing applicants to join the modern organisation). The organisation still accepts the Queen as its symbolic head, enough to make some stalwart anti-imperialists balk. Furthermore despite equal decision making processes, regionalised operations and a commitment to strenghening intercultural exchange and development across all countries, this North-South multilateral body has little tangible influence or impact in international circles. So can the Commonwealth be another more than a talking shop and why work with its youth representatives?

Learning

Unlike for example, European Circles or open 'global' events, the balance of representation is weighted in favour of the the Global South and mixes people of distinctly different cultures and backgrounds. For me this is a far healthier space to address international issues than others that are typically eurocentric.For young people from some of the smaller states this may be the only international exposure and interaction they get a shot at. That should not be the case but the chance to maximise the positive impact of the experience for such participants is fantastic. Furthermore as a white European facilitator there is often far more challenge and learning to be derived from these spaces (though it does seem that class can be a more decisive or binding influence than others)and a lot of ones one assumptions and prejudices can be healthily addressed in the process. As is the case in most such events the most enlightening moments occur outside of the formal sessions, particularly those that are speaker driven and actively work against interaction between delegates. The thoughts, feelings and experiences of colleagues from four continents and the combined potential of all those stories and all the futures as yet unwritten is in of itself a truly common wealth. Furthermore for those of us who meet with Aboriginal artists and elders at Kidigo Arts Centre I feel that our experience was anchored by the stories they told of the Australian past and present and the art which we created together, giving a real sense of time and place beyond the confines of a hotel and stimulating deeper reflections on our relationships as individuals, peoples and nations.


Making it Meaningful

Some members take the commonwealth very seriously and invest heavily in youth representation at such events. There is little uniform process for the how and why of selection, appointment or election of the individuals who then come to repesent their country. Whilst some representatives are inevitably cherry-picked would be diplomats or politicans with quite an elitist approach, there is a wider range of alternative attitudes and experiences reflected. Many of those attending are solid activists seeking wider international platforms and far from uncritical of either their national governments or the commonwealth and its processes. The challenge is how to faciliate cross learning so that those willing to challenge power are more well equipped to do so in such a limited institutional space and that those coasting and enjoying the perks might have pause for reflection and at least be motivated to engage at the grass roots back home to justify their lofty mandates and, more ambitiously, share some of their power. democratic gaps can be magnified by the elitism of multilateral fora but the positive potential impact to be taken from them should not be underestimated.

Outcomes?

whilst there were fraught, tense discussions throughout this forum related to policies, processes and personalities alike the final communique agreed reflects a common position around one key ask to commonwealth heads of state; a development fund for small scale local action projects, with young people involved in the setting and management of budgets and the selection and evaluation of activities. this is a direct, detailed and realistic request that encompasses three key concerns that emerged during the week; the need to shift from 'youth voice' to youth action, the visibility and legitimacy of commonwealth projects amongst youth constituencies who should be engaged with them and the importance of allowing and encouraging the development and ownership of local approaches. The diverse challenges that the millions of young people across the commonwealth face; whether related to the environment, health, trade or conflict, have different characteristics and impacts. Young people in a tiny pacific state such as Tuvalu may well have a different experience of an issue to their peers in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. By supporting a range of relatively low cost pilots in many countries. Some will inevitably underachieve but the scope for tangible success and learning that can be shared across networks is high.

Reflections

I have many thoughts and criticisms regarding the process of this event but to dwell on them wouldn't serve much of a constructive purpose. At a minimum many delegates will come away with a more informed (and hopefully) empowered understanding of the challenges of dileberative democracy and participation. No one claimed that these things would be pretty or easy. My concern here is with the ultimate impact that could be the product of the impassioned arguments and sleepless nights this past week. The key thought I believe is at least partially addressed by this initiative is the catalysing of civil society, in the broadest sense, as part of commonwealth action and collaboration. for an institution that is claiming to be focused on reform and renewal
the commonwealth comes across as cumbersome, ineffcient and statist. unless ordinary citizens, and young people in particular, associate themselves with the larger community of commonwealth peoples, regardless of the position if their government, then efforts at cultivating solidarity, cooperation and development across members will fail. If funding and other support to independent, egalitarian and risk taking civil society groups is devolved then even if the bigger project of reinventing an aged organisation falters one hopes that the chances are there for a diversity of younger, dynamic and creative individuals, communities and movements to take steps forward in addressing the inequalities and injustices of our times.



I was lucky to get an invite to the event as a guest resource person and facilitator through the wonderful people at the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. Check them out at www.cyec.org.uk