Inclusion of Young People in National Decision-making

Member States welcomed a proposal to incorporate youth-focused target areas in the post-2015 development agenda, as the Economic and Social Council concluded its two-day Youth Forum on 2 and 3 June 2014.

Ahmad Alhendawi, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, presented the document “The Global Youth Call,” which he said intended to provide concrete language on youth issues.  “Any new development agenda should mainstream youth,” he said, expressing hope that the youth-focused targets would be relevant to intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development framework.

The document covers the top five thematic priorities of youth:  education, employment and entrepreneurship, health, good governance, and peace and stability.  It asks for inclusion in the post-2015 development agenda of such targets as:  ensuring universal access to quality primary and post-primary education; reducing the number of youth not in employment; ensuring young people’s meaningful and inclusive participation in decision-making processes, governance and peace-building; improving the physical, social and mental health of adolescents and youth; and eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against adolescents and youth.