‘It’s your future to define’, says UN deputy chief, urging young African leaders to push for Global Goals

Meeting in Zimbabwe with young leaders from across the African continent, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed encouraged the lively gathering to “use your youth power, for it’s your future to define”, telling them to use technology effectively to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Use your phones not to sow hatred and division, but to bring us together to achieve the [Goals],” she said, adding the youth should take their future seriously and work hard to ensure no one else controlled their narrative.

Ms. Mohammed, who is in Zimbabwe to attend several key meetings, including the Sixth African Forum for Sustainable Development, said today’s youth had more tools to use in their quest for a better future than those of yesteryear. These include gadgets like mobile phones.

“You are young. It’s your time now, not tomorrow. Use your youth power, for it’s your future to define,” the UN deputy chief told the gathering.

Earlier, the young leaders had shared their desire for their governments to enact inclusive policies; eliminate conflicts and poverty; create the much-needed jobs; act against climate change; promote gender parity; give the youth opportunities to participate in decision-making processes; and facilitate and fund innovation hubs, among other issues and ideas.

“What I have heard here today is inspiring. You have given me more energy to go back and fight the good fight,” Ms. Mohammed said, promising the young people that she would take their concerns and suggestions on how to move the continent to the next level – with youth involvement – to the continent’s leaders.

The event was part of series of conversations being held over the coming year for the campaign, UN75, marking the 75th anniversary of the UN Charter and which aims to listen to people’s hopes and fears – as well as their expectations of the UN – in a rapidly changing world.

Original source: UN News
Published on 24 February 2020