by Marie Kauna – EM TV Online
Youth participation and empowerment is a challenge that challenges many youths today.
The voice of the youths over the years has not seen recognition from government, respective organisations and individuals however, this is slowly changing.
Recently, the Security Council has recognised the important role the youths can play in peace building and has adopted the Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
With plans to achieve a global sustainable development by 2030, ECOSOC or the Economic and Social Council 2016 Youth Forum is held at the Trustee Councils Chamber at UN Headquarters in New York, to gather youths for discussions.
Themed as ‘Youth Taking Action to implement the 2030 Agenda’, the 2016 ECOSOC 2016 Youth forum has gathered youths around the world for panel discussions and interactive talks that could contribute and help to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Youths gathered will participate and discuss with their member states, with each given the opportunity to share their views, opinions and suggestions on issues that affect youths around the world.
The opportunity will also see a milestone for youths as their voices will be brought into inter-governmental discussions.
This will help give the youths a fair idea on what approaches will be taken to implement the 2030 agenda and make is a reality.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at the youth forum said this move taken by the Security Council is an “historic step forward to recognizing the role and potential of young people in the world today for peace and security”.
The two days forum that started yesterday will end today.
