UN Youth Programmes
There are many youth-related activities organised by or on behalf of or related to the United Nations. Here are descriptions of the programmes we have found so far.
Youth4Peace
“Young people’s exclusion is not due to the lack of voices or their ability to speak, it is on the other side: why is the other side not listening?” – Nur Laiq, Advisor for Progress Study
In countries affected by conflict and violence, young people are commonly perceived as either perpetrators or victims. Turmoil and instability – including in recent years with the Arab Spring – are often explained by countries having large youth populations. The surge in terrorism and violent extremism in the past 15 years also tends to be linked to the role of young men, and increasingly young women. In reality, the role of young people in relation to peace and security is poorly understood and much more complex than these stereotypes suggest.
The Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda has gained momentum in recent years and marks a shift in the understanding of who young people are and their role for peace and security. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) is the first international policy framework that recognizes the positive role young people play in preventing and resolving conflict, countering violent extremism and building peace.
UN Security Council Resolution 2250
https://www.youth4peace.info/UNSCR2250/Introduction
The United Nations Security Council adopted unanimously, on 9 December 2015, a ground-breaking resolution on Youth, Peace and Security which recognizes that “young people play an important and positive role in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security”.
UNSCR 2250 (2015) identifies five key pillars for action: participation, protection, prevention, partnerships and disengagement and reintegration. This landmark resolution urges Member States to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels and to consider setting up mechanisms that would enable young people to participate meaningfully in peace processes.
The Security Council also requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to carry out a study on young people’s positive contribution to peace processes and conflict resolution, and urges Member States to “increase, as appropriate, their political, financial, technical and logistical support, that take account of the needs and participation of youth in peace efforts, in conflict and post-conflict situations, including those undertaken by relevant entities, funds and programmes, and other relevant bodies (…) and actors at regional and international levels”.
Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS)
https://www.youth4peace.info/ProgressStudy
In 2015, one out of every 6 people worldwide was between 15 and 24 years of age. Yet, across the globe, the vast majority of young people are excluded from – or on the margins of – mainstream political, economic and social activities, platforms and processes. This exclusion is amplified by the prevailing stereotypes that linger around the perception of young men and women. Young men in conflict-affected societies have predominantly been viewed as the primary perpetrators of violence or the potential “spoilers” of delicate peace processes. For their part, young women are primarily seen as passive victims.
…
Beyond a Study – A Strategy for the Implementation of UNSCR 2250
The Study is being conducted as an independent, evidence-based and participatory research process, and will produce an operational report proposing a forward-looking agenda for the international community. It provides a chance for a unique contribution to the prevention of violence and violent extremism, and to building sustainable peace for and by young people themselves, drawing on their innovation and resilience.
A Campaign to Lift Up Young People’s Voices
Young people must be given an opportunity to substantively contribute to the discussions on the main peace and security issues facing their communities, and to identify solutions for and indicators of progress on the YPS agenda. The participatory nature of the Study will reflect the value, importance and practice of consulting young people as a way to redress their historical marginalization and political exclusion.
UN Youth Envoy
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon identified in his second term that working with and for young people was one of his top priorities. In this regard, he established the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and appointed Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan as his first-ever Envoy on Youth and as the youngest senior official in the history of the organization. Mr. Alhendawi assumed his position on 17 January 2013 with a mandate to harmonize the UN system efforts on youth development, enhance the UN response to youth needs, advocate for addressing the development needs and rights of young people, as well as to bring the work of the United Nations with and for youth closer to them. The outgoing Envoy on Youth also acted as the advisor to and the representative of the Secretary-General on youth related matters.
UN Youth Delegate Programme
Division for Social Policy and Development
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/what-we-do/youth-delegate-programme.html
Participation in decision-making is one of the key priority areas of the United Nations agenda on youth. One form of youth participation at the United Nations is through the inclusion of youth delegates in a country’s official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and various functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council.The youth delegate programme is coordinated by the Focal Point on Youth at the global level, but it is the responsibility of the Member States to establish a youth delegate programme at the national level, and to decide who will represent the young people of their country. The roles of a youth representative varies from country to country, but normally includes providing input to their delegation on issues related to youth and participate in their delegation’s general work through attending meetings and informal negotiations.
Youth delegates can participate in several intergovernmental meetings at the United Nations. Most official youth delegates participate in the General Assembly, but some also attend functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
How to become a youth delegate
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/what-we-do/youth-delegate-programme.html
Some countries have existing programmes to select youth delegates. You can determine this by looking at the list of former youth delegates of previous years. If your country does not have a programme in place to select a youth delegate, your task will be two-fold:
First, you have to convince your country on the importance of having a youth representative in its delegation to the UN General Assembly.
And secondly, once they’ve established the position, you will have to initiate a selection process.
Some steps you may consider include:
Determine whether or not your country currently has a youth representative programme. If it does, inquire through your department of foreign affairs or a national youth council about how the application process works.
If your country does not currently have a youth representative programme, you will have to lobby to have one created. This can be done most effectively by working in cooperation with existing youth organizations in your country.
Sometimes the process may work very quickly, and sometimes it may take a greater effort to have youth delegates become part of government policy.
Some steps you might take would include:
Write to your minister of foreign affairs (or equivalent), outline the merits of youth delegates, and offer to meet to discuss it further.
Contact the Minister for Youth (or equivalent), senior public servants, the Ambassador to the UN, or even the Head of State.
You might also try to get letters of endorsement from all of the above, plus key civil society leaders, national and international.
After the proposal has been accepted, and a nomination and selection procedure established, the next step would be to apply for the position.
Related resources:
International Guide to Lobbying for Youth Representation at the UN
(Prepared by Christine Cassar, former youth delegate to GA60 from Malta)
Info kit by youth delegates to GA58, 2003*
Info kit by youth delegates to GA59, 2004*
Proposals from Mexico: Proposal 1 | Proposal 2*
UNYSA-UK Proposal for an FCO Youth Delegate at the United Nations General Assembly*
Letter from the UN Focal Point on Youth supporting youth efforts
* Contributions from youth delegates and others.
UN CONFERENCES THAT YOUTH CAN PARTICIPATE IN
Youth delegates can participate in several intergovernmental meetings at the United Nations. Most official youth delegates participate in the General Assembly, but some also attend functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
Youth delegates to the General Assembly
The Third Committee, the arm of the General Assembly that deliberates on Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Issues.Matters that pertain specifically to youth currently fall under the agenda item called “Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, persons with disabilities and the family”. Generally, this agenda item is considered in the Third Committee of the General Assembly during the month of October, however, this is subject to change based on the annual programmes of work adopted by Member States. The agenda of the General Assembly, including that of its Third Committee, is usually available in late summer at: http://www.un.org/ga.
Youth delegates to the Commission for Social Development (CSocD)
The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The body is in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development and meets annually in February for one and a half weeks. It covers key social development themes such as poverty, employment and social integration and the issue of youth falls within the latter.
A youth resolution is traditionally adopted every two years. Typically youth delegates that have been selected for the General Assembly also participate in the Commission for Social Development, since the work of the two bodies is closely interlinked.
The agenda of the Commission for Social Development, is available.
Youth delegates to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) is responsible for reviewing progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration on the Environment and Development, as well as providing policy guidance to follow up on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) at the local, national, regional and international level. The CSD meets annually in New York during the month of May for two weeks, and is open to both governmental and non-governmental actors. Young people can participate either by being a member of their country’s official delegation, or by representing an NGO through the major group for Children and Youth. Participating NGOs must be in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), including those accredited on the CSD Roster.
Become the UK Youth Delegate to the 2016 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA (Fully Funded)
JUN 20, 2016
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is an annual summit where decision makers from all around the world come together to make decisions as the United Nations. At last year’s UNGA the world agreed a new set of Global Goals. The United Kingdom (UK) believes that young people need to be at the heart of the delivery and monitoring of the Global Goals. It is essential that young people are visible and active contributors in High Level discussions and events on the Global Goals, and that their voices & feedback are heard.
Requirements
Department for International Development (DFID) is looking to identify two Youth Delegates from the UK (British Citizens only) to participate in a series of events as a part of the UK’s Delegation to the UNGA.
This is an excellent opportunity for young people from the UK (aged 18 – 25) to participate in high level policy forums and debates.
DFID is looking for two young people strongly committed to the role that young people play in bringing about the Global Goals and who can speak about the capabilities of young people to lead development.
APPLY NOW IF YOU THINK YOU CAN:
* Be the unifying link between young people in the UK and UN processes both before, during and after UNGA
* Bring true youth participation to events by being involved in shaping the role of young people in any UK-led events in preparation of the UNGA.
* Communicate with UK youth to gather their perspectives on decisions being made at the UNGA and keep them informed of and involved in what is going on at the UNGA.
YOU WILL NEED TO COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING:
* Attend an interview in London on either the 4th OR 5th of July 2016
* Three hours of preparation time per week during June, July and August 2016
* Attend the Girls Education Forum in London on the 7th of July 2016
* Attend the UNGA in New York for a maximum of 10 days between 13-26 September 2016
WHAT DO WE WANT TO KNOW FROM YOU?
There are two parts to applying for one of the UK Youth Delegate roles. First we need you to fill in this application form (in seven steps below) and if you are successful we will invite you for a follow up interview.
Benefits
This is a fully funded opportunity, with flights, accommodation and other travel expenses provided.
If you would prefer to complete an offline application form, please contact Sarah Haynes, sarahh@restlessdevelopment.org
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UK Youth Delegate to the 2016 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
DFID YouthSummit 2015
From:
Department for International Development and The Rt Hon Justine Greening MP
First published:12 September 2015
Part of:Youth Summit 2015 and United Nations General Assembly 2015
International Development Secretary Justine Greening made the annoucement today at the first #YouthSummit held at DFID.
Pictures from the #YouthSummit can be downloaded here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/albums/72157658056411228
Two young people have been selected to be part of the UK’s official delegation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced today at the first Youth Summit held at the Department for International Development (DFID).
This UN conference that will take place in New York later this month will see world leaders adopt the successor goals to the Millennium Development Goals. The new Global Goals will aim to finally eradicate extreme poverty.
Designed for young people by young people, the Youth Summit gives them the chance to get their voices heard on the global issues they care about. Justine Greening will take these views to the UN, providing a platform for young people’s voices on the world stage.
International Development Secretary, Justine Greening said:
Globally, over 1.8 billion people in the world are aged between 10 and 24 – the vast majority are living in less developed countries and face uncertain futures. These young people can be the leaders, teachers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. There is no question they must be at the heart of our efforts to tackle global poverty.
The plight of refugees and the horrors in Syria are at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Over half of the 4 million registered refugees from Syria are children. Now more than ever it is vital that young people engage with the development challenges that the world faces, and that we listen to them.
The face of development is a young face and the UK’s first ever Youth Summit gives young people all over the world the chance to have their voices heard. But the journey doesn’t end here. Young people will be at the centre of our work to create a world that is healthier, safer and more prosperous for everyone.
The two young delegates chosen as part of the UK’s official delegation to UNGA are Ronagh Craddock, 25, from Newcastle and Arifa Nasim, 18, from London. The selection process focused on candidates’ knowledge of the post-2015 processes, their experience being advocates for youth-led development and their ability to communicate confidently with diverse audiences.
Arifa is an activist and co-founder of Educate2Eradicate, a programme founded to educate young people and train professionals on the issues of FGM, forced marriage and Honour Based Violence. Picture: Matt Mee/DFID
Arifa is an activist and co-founder of Educate2Eradicate, a programme founded to educate young people and train professionals on the issues of FGM, forced marriage and Honour Based Violence. Picture: Matt Mee/DFID
Ronagh has volunteered in Zimbabwe with Restless Development, where she led sessions with youth groups on entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS, gender equality and children’s rights. Picture: Simon Davis/DFID
Ronagh has volunteered in Zimbabwe with Restless Development, where she led sessions with youth groups on entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS, gender equality and children’s rights. Ronagh is also an active climate change advocate with the UK Youth Climate Coalition. Picture: Simon Davis/DFID
Ronagh said:
While volunteering last year, I saw first-hand how unfair the lack of opportunities is for young Zimbabweans. But I also saw young people solving these problems. That’s why this Youth Summit is so important and why I’ll be speaking up for young people – so that we are heard and world leaders listen when they meet at the UN in September.
At the Youth Summit, BBC Three Free Speech’s Rick Edwards hosted a debate exploring education, employment, gender equality and climate change. Young people from around the world spoke out about their personal experiences overcoming marginalisation in their communities and workshops were held about how young people can take action, including how to tackle harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage.
Journalist and TV presenter Rick Edwards said:
I’m delighted to be a part of The Youth Summit. It’s a generation-defining year for the world and it’s absolutely vital that young people have their voices heard.
I hope that this event helps draw more young people into being engaged with these big global issues like poverty and climate change.
Elsewhere at the Summit:
DFID launched its Snapchat channel. Follow for updates and exclusives: DFID_UK
Footage from Malala Yousafzai’s new documentary ‘He Named Me Malala’ was exclusively premiered
Young people placed their commitments to the Global Goals on a Commitment Wall which will be taken to an UNGA youth side event to represent the voice of UK youth
Notes to editors:
The Youth Summit was hosted by the Department for International Development in partnership with VSO.
National and international NGOs including Restless Development, Save the Children and VSO showcased opportunities for young people to be active global citizens.
The UN conference in New York will take place at the end of September and see world leaders gather to adopt the Global Goals which aim to finally eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. This meeting comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
The UK youth delegates will participate in dialogue and debate with heads of state and other youth delegates.
DFID’s work includes:
Supporting 11 million children into primary and lower secondary school, and training more than 190,000 teachers
Helping to strengthen laws and increase access to health and education to tackle early marriage and female genital mutilation
Working with the #YouthForChange Youth Panel to make sure young voices are heard in high level discussions, including at the Girl Summit 2014
Supporting 18-25 year old volunteers to fight poverty overseas through the International Citizen Service (ICS) – so far over 15,000 young people have participated in the scheme globally and ICS returned volunteers are continuing to be positive agents of change.
General media queries
mediateam@dfid.gov.uk
Telephone
020 7023 0600
Follow the DFID Media office on Twitter – @DFID_Press
Priti Patel
https://twitter.com/patel4witham
World Programme of Action for Youth
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-programme-of-action-for-youth.html
Organised by ECOSOC > DESA > DSPD
ECOSOC
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) brings people and issues together to promote collective action for a sustainable world.
DESA
https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
UN DESA is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. Its work is guided by the universal, integrated and transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015.
DSPD
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/what-we-do.html
The Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) is part of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations Secretariat. The Division seeks to strengthen international cooperation for social development, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication, productive employment and decent work and the social inclusion of older persons, youth, family, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, persons marginalized from society and development.
Mission Statement
The main objective of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) is to strengthen international cooperation for social development, in the context of the comprehensive and detailed framework of commitments and policies for action by Governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations provided by the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, with particular attention to the three core issues of poverty eradication, employment generation and social integration, in contributing to the creation of an international community that enables the building of secure, just, free and harmonious societies offering opportunities and higher standards of living for all. The Division’s work is vital for the social pillar of sustainable development.
World Summit for Social Development
Copenhagen, 1995
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/world-summit-for-social-development-1995.html
At the World Summit for Social Development (WSSD), held in March 1995 in Copenhagen, Governments reached a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development. The Social Summit was the largest gathering ever of world leaders at that time.
It pledged to make the conquest of poverty, the goal of full employment and the fostering of social integration overriding objectives of development.
At the conclusion of the World Summit for Social Development, Governments adopted a Declaration and Programme of Action which represent a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development. The largest gathering yet of world leaders 117 heads of State or Government – pledged to make the conquest of poverty, the goal of full employment and the fostering of stable, safe and just societies their overriding objectives.
Five years on, they reconvened in Geneva in June 2000, to review what has been achieved, and to commit themselves to new initiatives.
What is the World Programme of Action for Youth?
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-programme-of-action-for-youth.html
The United Nations youth agenda is guided by the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY).
The WPAY, adopted by the General Assembly in 1995, provides a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people around the world. The WPAY covers fifteen youth priority areas and contains proposals for action in each of these areas.
Each of the fifteen priority areas identified by the international community is presented in terms of principal issues, specific objectives and the actions proposed to be taken by various actors to achieve those objectives. Objectives and actions reflect the three themes of the first International Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace in 1985; they are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.
The fifteen fields of action identified by the international community are education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, substance abuse, juvenile justice, leisure-time activities, girls and young women and the full and effective participation of youth in the life of society and in decision-making, as well as globalization, information and communication technologies, HIV/AIDS, armed conflict, and intergenerational issues.
Implementation of the Programme of Action requires the full enjoyment by young people of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and also requires that Governments take effective action against violations of these rights and freedoms and promote non-discrimination, tolerance, respect for diversity, with full respect for various religious and ethical values, cultural backgrounds and philosophical convictions of their young people, equality of opportunity, solidarity, security and participation of all young women and men.
What can you do?
There are numerous means through which you can contribute to our work in serving youth around the world. You can, as an example establish a youth delegate programme, form or get involved with your local United Nations Youth Association (UNYA), formulate and evaluate national youth policies, register your NGO, and much more.
This page provides you with possible ways to which you can participate and with links containing more detailed information on how to go about achieving them.
United Nations Youth Associations UNYA
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/what-we-do/what-can-you-do/unya.html
United Nations Youth Associations (UNYAs) are youth-led NGOs consisting entirely of youth volunteers. UNYAs are a great way to learn about the United Nations and get other youth involved in understanding and sharing the ideals enshrined in the UN Charter and other universal principles. UNYAs also provide fertile ground for youth empowerment, education, networking, and generating public opinion to support the work of the United Nations building a better world for all.
Some of the core aims of UNYAs are to:
Educate young people and the community about the work of the United Nations
Empower young people to get involved in international affairs and civil society
Represent the views of young people at a local, national and international level
Act as forum for young people to network and socialize
If your country doesn’t have an UNYA, you can get involved with your local United Nations Association (UNA). If you do not know if your country has a UNA, contact the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) Youth Network.
WFUNA is a global nongovernmental nonprofit membership organization of UNAs in over 100 countries. The WFUNA Youth Network is a network of UN Youth Associations and UNA youth sections/youth wings from all around the world.
UNYAs conduct a variety of activities, some of which are:
Model United Nations, a simulation of a UN meeting for High School students
Education programmes for primary and secondary school students to inform them about the work of the United Nations
Speakers events and panel discussions
UN Youth Delegate programmes
One way to grow your own UNYA
Get together with other interested people and have a meeting. Discuss how to find other interested members and what types of things the association could do.
Use advertisement to recruit interested people – you might be able to convince a newspaper to publish a free announcement. You can also contact youth groups, young civic groups, schools, universities, and of course, your local UNA
Convene a meeting of interested people to constitute the association and elect a committee. Brainstorm possible activities, programmes and projects for the organization
Have regular meetings, make them interesting, and keep them as inclusive as possible – more people attending meetings means more ideas, more members, more success (and more fun!).
Contact your local UNA and the WFUNA Youth Network and regularly keep them up to date on your activities.
For more information, please contact the WFUNA Youth Network
Delegates
Colm O’Rourke
@colmorourke1
Public Affairs/PR Executive.
Irish Youth Delegate to the United Nations (@UN).
UN Youth Observers
Could you be the next (US) Youth Observer?
http://genun.unausa.org/could_you_be_the_next_youth_observer
Do you have what it takes to be the next U.S. Youth Observer to the UN? Applications have closed for the 2016-2017 round, but stay engaged and check back in Spring 2017 to apply to fill the role of UN correspondent for the 2017-2018 year.
About the Program
Created to elevate youth voices in the global policy dialogue, the U.S. Youth Observer to the UN is a role appointed annually by the U.S. Department of State and UN Association of the USA. For a one-year term, an American between the ages of 18-25 is selected to engage young people in the U.S. in the work of the United Nations and international issues.
2017 Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition
A UNESCO-led project
The Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition is a global programme and an online platform to mobilize youth-led innovations for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Co-organized by the Goi Peace Foundation (GAP Key Partner), Stiftung Entrepreneurship and Digital Experts United, the Competition invites young entrepreneurs (age 15-35) from around the world to submit their innovative ideas and projects with a societal impact, which champions and implements one or more of the 17 SDGs.
The deadline for submission is 31 July 2017.
Winners of the competition will be announced at the Entrepreneurship Summit in Berlin in October 2017 and will receive international recognition. Visit the interactive website www.entrepreneurship-campus.org to submit entries that will be posted for online voting and feedback from the public.
Through the competition process, youth entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to optimize their ideas and develop their enterprise by receiving free online training at the Entrepreneurship Campus and support from the global online community.
Hurry and be a part of a global community of creative youth entrepreneurs!
Source: http://en.unesco.org/news/2017-youth-citizen-entrepreneurship-competition-submit-your-ideas-and-projects