5 tips on how NOT to organise a Government Forum

As I have mentioned before, the whole World Youth Conference has been at best a little chaotic and at worst completely shambolic. Here are 5 lessons to learn about how NOT to organise a Government Forum:

1. Hospitality: Invite the Minister of Education for Brazil to speak at the opening ceremony and then don’t call on him to give his presentation. Yes this really happened! As a result Brazil withdrew from being the vice chair of the meeting.
2. Communication: Nominate countries to be part of the drafting committee without telling them, or letting anyone know why they were picked. The list of countries who would be part of the board were read out and a number of them complained saying “I had no idea that I would be doing this and therefore have not prepared – how was I chosen?” The decision was quickly made to let governments meet in regional groupings to choose their own representatives.
3. Transparency: Say that you would like to take comments on the draft Declaration from the various government delegations but these will be included or excluded on the decision (whim?) of the Chair (i.e. the Mexican Government). An interesting take on a democratic decision making process.
4. Accountability: Close the Declaration drafting process to observers – but still let the World Youth Council and the Holy See be involved whilst barring anyone who is apparently too progressive, such as UNFPA who had been helping to facilitate the drafting working groups.
5. Participation: Hold a two day NGO meeting made up of youth representatives and then completely disregard their declaration as it seemed to be too progressive. The board were told explicitly by a Mexican government representative "There is no need to take into account the NGO declaration, that is not why you are here. This will be included as an annex which will be sufficient." An interesting take on meaningfully involving youth!

As a result of the above, the outcome of the conference is currently very much in jeopardy. It is uncertain whether there will be an agreed upon Declaration as a number of the government delegates are getting very frustrated at the lack of transparency and chaotic organisation of the meeting. However, many others feel that any Declaration is better than no Declaration and will vote on whatever text is put before them.

Currently the best possible outcome is for the Conference is for there to be no Government Declaration but for the Governments Forum to formally recognise the NGO declaration. As I mentioned before, the NGO declaration is by no means perfect, but is a darn sight better than the draft Government Declaration!

All will be made clear tomorrow!