At the ILS Board of Directors Meeting on 15 February 2006 the ILS youth statement was approved.

Purpose

The ILS Youth Statement sets a benchmark for best practice to assist the organisation, and its constituent members, in fulfilling its commitment to involve young people in decision-making regarding the development of policy, programmes and activities.

Values

At the ILS Board of Directors Meeting on 15 February 2006 the ILS youth statement was approved.

Purpose

The ILS Youth Statement sets a benchmark for best practice to assist the organisation, and its constituent members, in fulfilling its commitment to involve young people in decision-making regarding the development of policy, programmes and activities.

Values

The following value statements regarding young people and participation underpin the principles outlined in the Statement and establish a positive context for young people’s participation in life saving processes.

Young people

• Young people are valued members of the lifesaving communities.
• Young people are entitled to the same human rights and protections as all other members of lifesaving communities.
• Young people are entitled to respect and dignity.
• Young people have unique and diverse gifts, knowledge and skills.
• Young people make valuable and significant contributions to life saving.

Participation

ILS values young people’s participation in its own structures and in member federations. It also recognises the power imbalance that can exist between young people and those who make decisions around the development of policy, programmes and activities. ILS commits to engaging with young people for the well-being of its organisation.

The International Life Saving Federation:

• Recognises young people as members and encourages them to be involved in all aspects of life saving.
• Provides young people with timely information about organisational processes.
• Maximises opportunities for programmes and policies to be meaningful and effective for a diverse range of young people.
• Demonstrates respect and dignity for young people by listening to young people and considering their ideas and views seriously.
• Creates opportunities for young people to demonstrate, develop and use their skills and knowledge.
• Encourages member Federations to ensure democracy so that young people can play an active part in organisational decision-making.
• Encourages its members to have supportive relationships between young people and their local Federations which are based on respect, equality and accountability.
• Provides linkages, networks and pathways for young people to connect with ILS and their Federations.

Principles

The ILS is committed to negotiating principles which underpin young people’s engagement with the ILS Youth Statement and participation in its processes.

Implementation

The ILS Youth Statement provides guidance to ILS in its commitment to engaging with young people by itself or through member Federations, in the development of policy, programmes and activities. In order to make this possible ILS will:

1. Develop and implement or encourage the implementation of youth policies and agenda at international and national levels.
2. Create an environment conducive for youth development and participation, including creating organisational support for youth development.
3. Allocate resources for achieving its vision of effective and efficient implementation of youth policy.
4. Create and sustain communication mechanisms that facilitate dialogue between all relevant stakeholders.
5. Ensure/encourage optimal participation and consultation of young people in life saving planning processes.
6. Develop and implement programmes, in consultation with youth, for the advancement of youth development and activities.
7. Periodically review and evaluate the ILS implementation of youth policy and programmes.
8. Establish mechanisms for communicating with and educating youth about ILS, its members and its programmes.
9. Create and sustain humanitarian, recreational and sports activities.

Within the implementation of the Statement, ILS will consider the impact of it upon the existing legal framework within which ILS operates and will integrate the values and principles into that framework as appropriate.

ILS will consider how to involve young people in the development of principles within the Statement and how to encourage the participation of young people in its member Federations.