The Infoyouth network was set up to provide an overview of youth policies and programmes throughout the world. Designed as a network of networks, it is an effective tool to access, select and disseminate relevant information at international, national and local levels.
Main Objectives
Make the knowledge, experience and analyses that form the bases of all youth policies and issues available to all. Enable decision-makers to keep up to date on current trends and issues relating to young people and provide them with back-up for the elaboration and implementation of their respective national strategies.
These inventories act as real " barometers " for the public authorities and can be used as an invaluable resource for the monitoring of official policies.
Open up the information highway by encouraging regional and inter-regional exchanges of data between members and partners of the Infoyouth network.
Raise awareness and facilitate the initiation and training of young people in new information and communication technology skills, particularly young people from deprived areas and post conflict zones.
Provide access to information and support in the global effort against HIV/AIDS.
The assets of Infoyouth
Infoyouth has several assets which set it apart from other networks as the world-wide reference network on youth related issues and enable it to play a role in a broad range of activities.
It is an innovative and effective framework based on the complementarity between the governmental and non-governmental sectors, linking an international organisation, UNESCO, a Ministry, the French Ministry for Youth and Sports, and an institute, the National Institute for Youth and Community Education.
It is a network of networks.
It is an Internet gateway to youth related issues ; it also encourages and sponsors concrete projects in favour of youth.
Background :
The beginnings of the network Its creation dates back to 1991 following the UNESCO General Conference which mandated the Director General of the Organisation to set up an "international service for the exchange of information and data on youth issues". The same year the French Ministry for Youth and Sports and UNESCO signed a protocol agreement devolving the responsibility for managing the network to the National Institute for Youth and Community Education.
Structure : who does what ?
The Infoyouth network operates in conjunction with the National Commissions for UNESCO, youth organisations, governmental and non governmental institutions and information and data research agencies and bodies. The Steering Committee, made up of representatives from UNESCO, the French National Commission for UNESCO, the Youth and Community Education Unit of the French Ministry for Youth and Sports and the National Institute for Youth and Community Education ensures a regular follow-up of all Infoyouth projects.
Membership
Joining the network Membership of the network is open to public and private institutions, ministerial departments, NGO's and information and documentation centres. Requests for membership should be submitted to the National Institute for Youth and Community Education for approval by the Steering Committee after previously consulting the relevant regional Infoyouth correspondent.