The United Nations Secretary-General launched a new partnership strategy with the world’s 1.8 billion young people on September 24, to help put “their ideas into action”.
Noting that it was “a rare treat” to see so many young faces at the UN, to launch the new “Youth2030” strategy, UN chief António Guterres highlighted a list of challenges “the largest young generation in history” faces today.
He noted that “globalization, new technologies, displacement, shrinking civic space, changing labor markets and climate impacts,” were putting huge pressure on youth everywhere, adding that more than one-fifth of young people are not in employment, education or training; a quarter are affected by violence or armed conflict; and young people remain excluded from development programmes, ignored in peace negotiations and denied a voice in most international decision-making.
At the same time, he pointed out that young people were “a vast source of innovation, ideas and solutions,” who push for the needed changes in technology, climate action, inclusivity and societal justice.
“Empowering young people, supporting them, and making sure they can fulfill their potential are important ends in themselves,” he stressed. “We want this for all people, everywhere.”
Moreover, to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world, “we need young people to lead,” he added.
In presenting Youth 2030: The United Nations Youth Strategy, he called it “the UN’s strategy to engage with, but especially to empower young people.”
“And as we change, we will work with our partners to do likewise” and spur new partnerships, the UN chief said, identifying five key areas:
1. Opening new routes to involve young people and amplify their voices.
2. Strengthening the UN’s focus on their accessing education and health services.
3. Placing their economic empowerment at the fore of development strategies, with a focus on training and jobs.
4. Working to ensure their rights and civic and political engagement.
5. Prioritizing support for young people in conflict and in humanitarian crises, including their participation in peace processes.
“Today is the start of a new era for young people at the United Nations,” he said, encouraging everyone to help move it forward.
He urged the Member States to invest in and empower youth nationally; challenged businesses to provide young people with skills and opportunities; and called on civil society cat speak out and keep up the pressure.
Original source: UN News
Published on 24 September 2018
