Vision, Mission and objectives of OIYP

1. Vision

Youth Building a Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable World

2. Mission

The Oxfam International Youth Parliament (Oxfam IYP) is an initiative of Oxfam International, managed by Oxfam Community Aid Abroad.  IYP mobilises a global network of young leaders and activists to bring about positive and sustainable change. It does this through supporting youth led initiatives, facilitating skills and capacity building programs and supporting young people to advocate for their rights and freedoms and those of their communities.

3. Aims

Oxfam IYP encourages and supports young people as leaders in developing positive, sustainable, innovative and community oriented change initiatives.  IYP aims to support youth led initiatives that will make a significant contribution to:

 

·         an increase in the number of people who have a sustainable livelihood.

·         an increase in the number of people who have access to social services.

·         an increase in the number of people who have an effective voice in decisions that affect their lives.

·         an increase in the number of people who are live free from fear and discrimination, especially those who are currently oppressed or marginalized due to their gender, ethnicity, Indigenous status or cultural identity.

·         an increase in the number of people who are safe from conflict and disaster.

 

4. Objectives

To achieve these ends IYP has the following objectives:

4.1 Support youth led initiatives:

To support Action Partners^[1] in the development, implementation and evaluation of social change initiatives (individual and collective action plans) through the provision of strategic and financial support.

4.2 Skills development and capacity building

To increase the effectiveness of Action Partners as social change leaders through further developing skills and knowledge necessary for implementing positive and sustainable change.

4.3 Networking and Alliance Building

To encourage and support action partners to exchange information and learning, build alliances and partnerships amongst themselves and with others to support their work for change.

4.4 IYP Sittings

To inspire, empower and grow the next generation of young leaders and activists.  IYP sittings are international meetings between action partners that are convened every 2-3 years.  Through IYP sittings action partners build skills, networks and develop social change initiatives.  IYP sittings launch a cycle of activity and programs to be implemented over the next two years. 

4.5 Research and information exchange

To establish a significant exchange of learning, information and research relating to the issues that face young people and the actions they have taken for the positive and sustainable change locally, nationally and globally.

4.6 Youth Participation

To actively promote the right of young men and women to meaningful participation in the decision making processes that affect their lives.  IYP empowers Action Partners to participate in policy development and decision making at all levels.

4.7 Oxfam International

To facilitate and enhance the work of Oxfam International and its affiliates with young people around the globe.