|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
UN International Year of Youth is Our Time
August 12 marked the beginning of a year-long celebration of the contributions of youth to world progress.
The hard work of young active citizens across the world is receiving recognition from the United Nations. On August 12, International Youth Day, the United Nations launched the International Year of Youth (IYY). The theme of the year is “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,” which is meant to encourage intergenerational engagement to promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms, and solidarity.
“On International Youth Day, let us renew our pledge to support young people in their development,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “They deserve our full commitment – full access to education, adequate healthcare, employment opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life”
This commitment has been outlined in three major areas of focus, which serves as a framework for collective efforts during the IYY. The three areas are:
- Create awareness (increase commitment and investment in youth)
- Increase recognition of youth development as a smart investment by the public and private sectors
- Advocate for the recognition of young people’s contributions to national and community development and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals
- Promote understanding of inequalities amongst youth and how to effectively address the needs of the most disadvantaged
- Foster research and knowledge building on youth to better inform youth policies and programmes
- Mobilize and engage (increase youth participation and partnerships)
- Institutionalize mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making processes
- Support youth-led organizations and initiatives to enhance their contribution to society
- Strengthen networks and partnerships among Governments, youth-led organizations, academia, civil society organizations, the private sector, the media and the UN system, to enhance commitment and support for holistic youth development
- Connect and build bridges (increase intercultural understanding among youth)
- Promote youth interactions, networks and partnerships across cultures
- Empower and support youth as agents of social inclusion and peace
JCI and the MDGs
An overarching theme of the IYY is giving the necessary tools to help youth commit to advancing the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The UN recognizes that a youth-oriented focus is vital to continued efforts and the future success of the MDGs due to the number and passion of young active citizens like the members of JCI.
At the 2003 JCI Leadership Summit at the United Nations, JCI committed to addressing many issues facing the world and working through the framework of the MDGs to bring positive change to the world. Secretary-General Ban recognized how instrumental JCI members are in creating an impact.
“Among all the threats we face, there are also vast new possibilities for common progress,” said Secretary-General Ban. “JCI has a special presence because of the youth of its membership.”
This year, JCI members must advance the JCI Vision by stepping forward into the leadership role the youth of the world needs to guide action in advancing the MDGs and creating a positive global impact. We must help others develop the tools and resources they need to effect change and raise awareness of the importance of youth when it comes to sustaining progress beyond the 2015 deadline for the MDGs.
“As we expand our efforts, we must do even more to reach out, to listen and to learn from young people,” said Secretary-General Ban. The world is waiting for the young active citizens of JCI to speak up. Now is the time to be heard.
Find out more about the International Year of Youth and become a fan on Facebook. Share your ideas of how to create progress on the three areas of concentration during the IYY on JCI’s Facebook page.
Go back
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|