The State Wide Youth Consultation kicked off at Kohima on April 23 and 24, 2007 with Neiphiu Rio, the then Chief Minister of Nagaland as the Chair and Lalhuma (IAS), the then Chief Secretary of Nagaland as the Co-chair. This was followed by the 11 district level consultation where youth leaders in respective districts deliberated and discussed on three thematic topics of (i) Natural Resources and Livelihood, (ii) Building an Entrepreneurial culture (iii) Information and Communication Technology and livelihood.
The technical team was headed by Dr. Bernice Dzuvichu, Director YARD and official partner of the consultation.
The different district consultation hosted by Apex student unions were as follows:-
Kohima: Angami Students’ Union and Rengma Students’ Union
Wokha: Lotha Students’ Union
Peren: All Zeliangrong Students’ Union
Dimapur: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union
Phek: Chakesang Students’ Union and Pochury Students’ Union
Zunheboto: All Sumi Students’ Union
Mon: Eastern Naga Students’ Federation and Konyak Students’ Union
Longleng: Eastern Naga Students’ Federation and Phom Students’ Union
Tuensang: Eastern Naga Students’ Federation, Confederation of Chang Students’ Union, Yimchunger Students’ Union and Khiamniungan Students’ Union
Kiphire: Eastern Naga Students’ Federation and United Sangtam Students’ Union.
The yearlong consultation culminated in the publication of a comprehensive report titled, “Voices Uncensored”. The ‘Voices Uncensored’ captures and documents the ideas, aspirations, suggestions and opinions of the Naga youths. The consultation after careful analysis and consideration of general opinions came up with nine recommendations viz Release of “The Voices Uncensored” and discussion of the Nine Recommendation at Hotel Japfu, Kohima.
i. Develop a State policy on youth with focus on youth involvement, youth development and youth employment.
ii. Establish a branch for youth affairs to facilitate and coordinate partnership between Government, youth and NGOs to address youth employment.
iii. Review the education system. Incorporate activities for knowledge and skill development, entrepreneurship and personality development as part of the curriculum.
iv. Involve youths in designing developmental plans and policies of the state. This will generate a sense of ownership and accountability on the part of the youth in economic and social development of the State.
v. Government should focus on Information Communication Technology (ICT) to reach out to the youth. ICT can be a means for communication, dissemination and knowledge management on development strategy and policies of the State to the youths and the community in general.
vi. General awareness about the existing schemes, loans, grants, aid and programs for youth employment should be created.
vii. Invite technical experts to train local youths within the State on project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
viii. Poor infrastructure like road, power, communication and industry is often the dead-end for any progressive venture. Therefore focusing on this area as a priority of the State can address employment and economic development effectively.
ix. Human resource development through capacity building and skill development of the youth should be a continuous, ongoing activity of all concerned departments.