UNITED NATIONS, Young people are on the \u201cfrontlines of the struggle to build a better future\u201d, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, while marking International Youth Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are tackling inequities in food security, biodiversity loss, threats to our environment and much more\u201d, he said in his message for the day.<\/p>\n
And noting that coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the \u201cdire need for\u2026transformational change\u201d, he said that young people must be \u201cfull partners in that effort\u201d.<\/p>\n
From gender equality to education and skills development, the top UN official highlighted that youth exhibit drive, creativity, and commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut young people cannot do it on their own\u201d, he stated. \u201cThey need allies to make sure they are engaged, included and understood\u201d.<\/p>\n
Guided by the UN system-wide youth strategy, Youth2030, the UN is strengthening its work for and with young people worldwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI urge everyone to guarantee young people a seat at the table as we build a world based on inclusive, fair, and sustainable development for all\u201d, Guterres said.<\/p>\n
UN cultural agency (UNESCO) chief, Audrey Azoulay, quoted iconic New York author, poet and musician, Patti Smith, to underscore her agency\u2019s message that young people must act for themselves, asking: \u201cWho can know the heart of youth but youth itself?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms. Azoulay explained that UNESCO intends to \u201cexplore the idea\u201d of a global grant system, to finance research projects and grassroots action, led by young people. She\u2019s convening an international conference on \u201cthe impact of the pandemic on young people\u201d during September.<\/p>\n
Youth are also at the heart of other agency initiatives, including the UNESCO Global Youth Community project, Youth UNESCO Climate Action Network and various projects to prevent violent extremism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the best means to reach them in a relevant and useful way\u201d, she said, inviting young people to continue to engage and for all of civil society to \u201ctap into the immense potential of this unique, productive and incredibly capable\u201d group.<\/p>\n
The newly-elected President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Collen Vixen Kelapile, said that the inclusion and involvement of youth in key activities, is a top priority.<\/p>\n
Pointing out that \u201cyouth are changemakers and their contribution is essential to realizing the mandate of the Council\u201d, he looked forward to hearing from youth around the world on \u201chow we can advance together the Youth Agenda and implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDSGs)\u201d while responding and recovering from COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Office of the Secretary-General\u2019s Envoy on Youth welcomed thousands of young people from across the globe as it kicked off the first-ever, all virtual Youth Lead Innovation Festival.<\/p>\n
Over two days, participants will be discussing the importance of innovation and technology to achieve the SDGs and support COVID-19 recovery.<\/p>\n
Despite facing multidimensional challenges in their day-to-day lives, UN Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake said, \u201ctime and time again we see young people at the frontlines of developing new solutions and becoming pillars of their communities\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people of today are digital natives that routinely contribute to the resilience of their communities, proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring transparent and inclusive political change\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, Young people are on the \u201cfrontlines of the struggle to build a better future\u201d, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, while marking International Youth Day. \u201cThey are tackling inequities in food security, biodiversity loss, threats to our environment and much more\u201d, he said […]<\/p>\n
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