Asean leaders adopt declaration on youth dev’t

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formally adopted yesterday the ASEAN Youth Development Index (AYDI), which seeks to enhance youth policies in the region.

Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra, chair of the National Youth Commission (NYC), said the AYDI – the first of its kind – is seen to significantly contribute to the need of the ASEAN region in profiling its youth and in determining areas that need greater attention and further investment.

“We are very optimistic that this ASEAN Declaration on the Adoption of the ASEAN Youth Development Index will translate into formulation of more relevant youth policies,” Seguerra said in a press briefing at the International Media Center in Pasay City.

The AYDI seeks to further enhance youth development in general, specifically in the areas of economic empowerment and participation.

The Declaration recognizes the significant role of the youth in realizing the ASEAN Vision 2025.

It also takes into consideration the importance of having regional standards that allow for the measurement and monitoring of various aspects of youth development.

The AYDI included a report that showcases the achievements of the youth in specific areas across the region as well as areas that need further policy attention.

It also provides data showing that education of youth in the region has remarkably improved from 2011 to 2015.

More than half of ASEAN’s population – 629 million people and counting – are under the age of 30.