A global Agenda for Youth Participation?

July 22, 2011 in Gender justice, Justice, LWF, UN, Youth participation

An invitation to discuss the draft outcome document.

It looks like success. On Monday (25 July 2011), a High-level meeting of the UN is taking place in New York on the theme of youth. Finally, it seems that governments pay attention to the particular problems of young people.

However, there is the real risk that event will be not more than a token. The draft outcome document is available now it is very likely that it is going to be adopted without major changes. It is crucial that we are going to support our small delegation in their efforts to make this agenda even stronger.

Short summary of the document

The document starts out with a long list of correct observations and frequent reminders to governments to fulfill the pledges that they have given a long time ago.

The document becomes interesting when it highlights more specific action items (paragraph 28). I am summarizing them here for easier reference:

a) Address economic globalization and develop opportunities for young people

b) Ask donors to support the (deeply under-funded) World Programme of Action for Youth.

c) Address the high youth unemployment mainly by fostering youth entrepreneurs.

d) Develop more strategies to fight youth unemployment (our demand 3)

e) Foster understanding for young people from different backgrounds (our demand 4)

f) Ensure universal access to education (our demand 2)

g) Provide Human rights education

h) Support youth affected by terrorism

i) Improve a legal framework to protect young people, and especially young women and girls, from violence.

j) Make access to information and communication technologies affordable everywhere.

k) Improve and ensure health services for young people everywhere.

l) Ensure youth participation in the adaptation to climate change.

m) Support and strengthen young migrants

n) Uphold the rights of youth in occupied territory.

o) Especially support youth-led organizations.

p) Improve collaboration between civil society and governments

q) Call for the stronger support from donors to finance regionally balanced youth participation in UN meetings (our demand 1)

Questions for discussion

What do you think about the draft outcome document? Does it represent a new agenda for youth participation? Is something important missing? How can churches engage? How can young people participate better?

Please discuss here or on the facebook page

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