By Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN
UNITED NATIONS POLICY ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION
The UN’s policy on youth participation centers on the Youth 2030 Strategy, aiming for meaningful engagement, not just consultation, making youth central to achieving SDGs, promoting human rights, and fostering peace, with initiatives like the UN Youth Delegate program and digital platforms enhancing their voice in policy, driven by principles of inclusivity, gender equality, and tackling barriers like digital divides to empower young people as agents of change.
KEY PILLARS OF UN YOUTH POLICY:
·Youth2030: The UN Youth Strategy: The overarching framework (now in Phase 2: 2025-2030) focuses on youth empowerment, SDG implementation, knowledge building, and ensuring youth voices are heard across all UN efforts.
·Meaningful Engagement: Goes beyond tokenism; it’s about tangible youth influence in policy, supported by principles from the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on the topic.
·Youth as Agents of Change: Recognises young people as crucial for peace, justice, climate action, and sustainable development, empowering them to drive societal transformation.
KEY MECHANISMS & INITIATIVES:
·UN Youth Delegate Program: Young people, selected by their governments, participate directly in UN meetings (like the General Assembly) as part of national delegations.
·UN Youth Office: Acts as a convener and conduit, amplifying youth visions and coordinating efforts across the UN system.
·Digital Platforms: Using technology to understand youth priorities, inform them, and co-create policies.
·Our Common Agenda & Pact for the Future: Calls for greater youth inclusion in global decision-making.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
·Inclusivity and Equity: Removing social, economic, and cultural barriers, especially for young women and girls, to ensure equal access and participation.
·Intergenerational Solidarity: Fostering collaboration and understanding between generations.
·Rights-Based Approach: Upholding youth’s fundamental right to participate, as a core human right.
FOCUS AREAS:
·Empowerment: Building skills, capacity, and opportunities.
·SDG Acceleration: Integrating youth perspectives into achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
·Peace and Security: Supporting youth as peacebuilders and ensuring their needs in post-conflict reintegration.
