A Petition in Support of RISE Belize for Meaningful Youth Participation in Reshaping the Ministry of Youth and Sports

To the Honourable Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth and Sports, and the Honourable Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government of Belize.

We, the undersigned Belizean youth, youth-led organizations, and concerned citizens, supporting RISE Belize, hereby petition for an open, transparent, and meaningful partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in reshaping its structure, policies, and programs to better serve the needs and aspirations of young people in Belize.

We commend the Ministry's dedication to youth development, yet we firmly believe that a truly effective and impactful Ministry must be built in collaboration with the very individuals it seeks to empower – the youth of Belize. As articulated by RISE Belize in their formal correspondence, we seek more than just symbolic inclusion; we demand a genuine seat at the table where decisions are made that directly affect our lives and futures.

Therefore, we, the petitioners, stand in support of RISE Belize and their call upon the Ministry of Youth and Sports to commit to the following key actions:

1. Co-Develop a National Strategic Plan for Youth Development: We urge the Ministry to engage in a fully participatory process, co-developing the National Strategic Plan for Youth with representation from diverse youth organizations, rural and urban youth, marginalized groups, and relevant NGOs, as advocated by RISE Belize. This collaborative approach will ensure the strategy is relevant, inclusive, and aligned with national development goals and global frameworks.

2. Rebrand and Modernize the Ministry’s Communication: We support RISE Belize's call for a revitalization of the Ministry's image and communication strategies to resonate with young Belizeans. This includes actively involving youth in the design of branding elements and utilizing popular digital platforms to disseminate information, opportunities, and celebrate youth achievements. Furthermore, we request the development of a user-friendly and interactive website for the Department of Youth Services, complete with accessible resources, feedback mechanisms, and transparent performance reporting.

3. Institutionalize Youth Participation in Governance: To ensure the sustained involvement of youth in decision-making, as proposed by RISE Belize, we advocate for the creation of a National Mechanism for Participatory Governance by Youth. This mechanism should include a National Youth Council, a Youth Parliament, the appointment or election of Youth Senators and Vice Ministers, and the establishment of Youth Ambassadors.

4. Strengthen the Department of Youth Services (DYS): We echo RISE Belize's call for a comprehensive review and restructuring of the DYS pillars to align with the evolving needs of young people. Crucially, we support the reinstatement of the Leadership Unit within DYS and an increase in employment opportunities for young professionals within the Department to ensure services are informed by lived youth experiences. Formalized partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding between DYS and youth organizations are also essential.

5. Develop a Comprehensive Youth Policy and Legislative Framework: We stand with RISE Belize in demanding the development and implementation of an Updated National Youth Policy that is truly "By Youth, For Youth," created through national consultations and digital crowdsourcing, and inclusive of marginalized youth. This policy must be periodically reviewed and updated. Furthermore, we call for a rewriting of the Cabinet Paper on Youth Mainstreaming to ensure youth perspectives are integrated across all government ministries.

6. Implement Comprehensive Youth Mainstreaming Across Government: We support RISE Belize's urging of the government to implement youth mainstreaming policies at all levels, guaranteeing youth representation in policy planning, budgeting, and monitoring. Each ministry should have a designated Youth Focal Point, and the national budget allocation for youth development must be significantly increased to reflect the scale of existing challenges and opportunities, with clear investments in programs and capacity building.

7. Adopt Evidence-Based Programming: We concur with RISE Belize on the importance of conducting thorough baseline studies, surveys, and community consultations before launching youth programs. Data-driven approaches are crucial for identifying needs, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes, with the active involvement of youth in data collection and analysis.

We, the undersigned, firmly believe that the meaningful inclusion of young people, championed by RISE Belize, in reshaping the Ministry of Youth and Sports is not merely a matter of fairness, but a strategic imperative for the future prosperity and development of Belize. Our energy, creativity, and perspectives are invaluable assets that must be harnessed to build a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant nation.

We implore the Ministry to respond positively to the call for dialogue made by RISE Belize and to work collaboratively with them and the youth of Belize to create a Ministry that truly serves and empowers the next generation.

We urge all Belizeans who believe in the power and potential of our youth to sign this petition and stand in support of RISE Belize in this crucial endeavor.