Why We Need Youth At The Table

Why We Need Youth At The Table

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking to hundreds of exceptional young people gathered at the Youth Forum at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The youth delegates who attended the event are part of the largest generation of youth in history. Their visit to the UN came at a crucial time for people and our planet. 2015 is not just another year, but one when we have the chance to set the course for a sustainable future -- by agreeing on sustainable development goals and achieving a meaningful, universal climate agreement.

The United Nations also turns 70 this year, which is as much a chance to look back on the Organization’s contributions to peace, human rights and development as an opportunity to look forward.

The power of young people is essential if we are to succeed in facing global challenges, not least ending poverty and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Our one and only planet is theirs to inherit and we need their active involvement and ideas to help reduce emissions and become more climate-resilient.

Youth Forum Delegates

So, at this week’s event, I made three calls to action to the world’s youth.

First: Help us drive sustainable development that is people-centred and planet-sensitive. Second: Fight injustice and inequality with solidarity so no one is left behind. And third: Be an active global citizen.

Young people have been hit hardest by the global unemployment crisis. Globally, 73 million young people are looking for work; they are three times more likely than adults to be jobless. Many more are trapped in exploitative jobs, child labour or slave labour.

Yet, youth are more than victims of poverty and economic downturn -- they can be agents of change. We need to do more to create jobs for young people and to support young entrepreneurs so they can create jobs for others. Ending poverty and creating wealth is part of the solution, but we have to make sure that economic prosperity is inclusive and shared.

I continue to be impressed by energy, talent and optimism that I see in the young people I meet on my travels around the world and the youth delegates who came to the UN this week were no exception. I am counting on today’s youth to do their part as global citizens who act for our common future.

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Redmar Broerse

Regelmatig beschikbaar voor consultancy opdrachten in huisvesting, facilitair en workplace

8y

I Totally agree!

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MUSYOKI Peter

Writer, Poet, Science of Behavioural Change (SOBC) Practitioner, Refugees Advocate, Co-Founder @Sustainable Environmental Management Centre (SEMC). [1947 - 1957© A LIFE OF ALTERNATIVES™]

8y

Mr. Ban Ki-moon Youth have various projects that NGOs, IGOs, and Governments could sponsor and in doing so help create awareness on existing and emerging trends affecting the globe and specific parts of our Communities (with respect to geographical distribution and/or restriction). However, this concern remains an issue that is less thought of and one that has become an obstacle to Youth participation “at the Table”. These Young Persons are considered ‘outsiders’ to the Intuitions in discussion in that they do not have physical contact with these Organizations and as such it becomes a huge task of standing out as the seemingly ‘easy’ way is to first get employment in these Organization and as such ‘fit in’ then do their ‘thing’ as their Employers feel part of them thus find it reasonable to help get their message or ideas to the world. Now, the problem herein is that Youth are expected to ‘fit it’ whereas the best way 6to have them “at the Table” is instead have the very Youth stand out! I’m one of the many Youth currently faced by similar a hurdle. Kindly offer feedback. musyoki.petern@gmail.com

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Ronald B. Brinn

NYS Governor's Division of Human Rights (formerly).

8y

Youth need to know, or cannot care for the aged.

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hassan adnane

directeur de com chez reseau educatif des arts et de la culture

8y

Confucius disait aux parents "N'oubliez pas que votre fils n'est pas votre fils mais le fils de son époque!". Therefore, Young people are more qualified to build-up their world and "older" will be simply advisors...

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