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Today, the world is home to the largest generation of youth, with 1.2 billion aged 15-24 worldwide. Moreover, this number is expected to continue to grow: between 2015 and 2030 alone, around 1.9 billion young people are projected to turn 15 years old. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we must engage a generation of young people who know about the Goals, care about their success and actively work toward their realisation.
Marking the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by world leaders in September 2015, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth on Monday unveiled the inaugural class of 17 youth leaders who have been recognised for their leadership and contribution to ending poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and tackling climate change by 2030. These young leaders, aged 19-30 years old, will work with the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth on efforts to engage young people in the achievement of the SDGs, both through strategic opportunities and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks.
Over 18,000 submissions from 186 countries were received following a month-long call for nominations. Young leaders are expected to advocate for the Goals, in the ways most accessible and relatable to young people across different contexts, promote innovative ways of engaging their audiences and peers in the advocacy and realisation of the Goals, and contribute to a brains trust of young leaders supporting the UN and partners for key moments and initiatives related to the Goals. Each year, a new “Class” will be nominated through an open call for nominations and assessed according to robust selection criteria by a diverse selection committee. The Young Leaders are scheduled to take part in a series of high-level meetings and events during the 71st session of the General Assembly.
With these projects and others developed by these Young Leaders, youth are leading the way in achieving inclusive social development:
25-year-old Nikki Fraser serves as the Regional Youth Representative at the Native Women’s Association of Canada, an organisation that seeks to advance the well-being of aboriginal women and girls, as well as their families and communities, through activism, policy analysis and advocacy. A tireless advocate for indigenous women and girls in Canada and worldwide, she has participated in numerous fora, including the 2016 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
Anthony Ford Shubrook is a 30 year-old from the United Kingdom and a lifelong advocate for disability rights and access. He serves as the Youth Ambassador for AbleChildAfrica, a non-profit organisation that has helped thousands of disabled children gain access to inclusive healthcare, education, and sports. Anthony has also conducted research on access to education for children with disabilities, and his tireless work to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities has been featured at major international events and conferences, including the the World Humanitarian Summit.
Shougat Nazbin Khan, a 27-year-old from Bangladesh, established H. A. Digital School & College, now serving 600 students from 50 underprivileged communities in Bangladesh with a focus on socio-economic empowerment of women. The school has developed curricula that are responsive to rural realities and gender, including ICT and entrepreneurship training, health and environment training, adult literacy and services to end violence.
See the full list of the UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals at http://sdgyoungleaders.org/
Learn more about our work on youth at social.un.org/youth
Source & Copyright: Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth