The ECOSOC Youth Forum side event ‘Youth perspectives on collective action for sustainable development’, 18 April 2022, was hosted by UNDP to create a space for the diversity of young people to exchange ideas and experiences of youth-inclusive partnerships in development and inform UNDP’s work with and for youth.

The event brought to the fore a number of youth priorities relating to gender equality, intersectionality, climate action, youth economic empowerment, decent and green jobs, youth political participation and civic engagement, peacebuilding, partnerships, and the meaningful engagement with young people in development processes.

We are grateful for the insightful presentations by the speakers. Ms. Diandra Ní Bhuachalla, Youth Delegate, Ireland, highlighted that all policy issues are youth issues, and that in order to further support young people’s role as agents of change for sustainable development, more focus should be on education, partnerships, and funding. Mr. Abdulrahman Nasir, Program Manager of Peace and Freedom Organization and representative of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and the Major Group of Children and Youth (MGCY) emphasized that young people do and can participate in decision-making and development processes but that more support is needed, including to promote an enabling environment and to tackle mistrust. Ms. Inés Yábar, Global Campaign Lead, Restless Development shared reflections on youth power and how it is critical to listen to young people as well as to let young people take the lead in sustainable development.

In a joint presentation on climate action in Argentina, Mr. Máximo Mazzocco, Founder of Eco House, Generation17 young leader and Maria Eugenia Di Paola, Environment and sustainable development coordinator, UNDP Argentina reflected upon young people’s sense of urgency in relation to climate ambition and the importance of mobilization of youth and the convening role of UNDP to connect young people, decision-makers, and other development partners and stakeholders. In a joint presentation on citizen security in Jamaica, Mr. Neville Charlton, Founder of Youth Inspiring Positive Change JA, participant of the 16 x 16 Initiative and Ms. Stacy-Ann Tomlinson, Programme Specialist, UNDP Jamaica emphasized the importance of creating space and providing opportunities for youth to lead and to connect to development processes in the country in order to foster a culture of peace and support youth as agents of change.

At the closing, Ms. Lillian Njoro, Head of Experimentation, UNDP Kenya shared her experience with the youth sounding board in Kenya, which acknowledges young people as partners and facilitates youth perspectives on UNDP’s direction for efforts relating to governance, inclusive growth, and climate action. Ms. Noëlla Richard, Youth Policy Specialist and Youth Team Leader, UNDP concluded with a reflection on a triple imperative for youth empowerment in sustainable development and peace at the heart of UNDP’s approach, related to the demographic dividend, the need for a human rights and democratic approach, and the urgency of making development smarter by investing in youth as positive agents of change and partners.

The event was moderated by Ms. Maria Stage, Programme Analyst, UNDP and breakout groups facilitated by Ms. Makeda Leikun Yeshaneh, African Young Women Leaders Fellow, AUC-UNDP, Ms. Giulia Jacovella, Programme Analyst, UNDP, Ms. Pauline Deneufbourg, youth empowerment specialist, UNDP, and Ms. Noëlla Richard, Youth Policy Specialist and Youth team leader, UNDP.

Contact: youth[a]undp.org

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