OUR WORK/ Policy Areas

Sustainable Development / Sustainable Development Policy and Environment

The adoption of a European Youth Forum Policy Paper on Sustainable Development in 2006, marked a major step forward in the work to include sustainable development as a cross-sectoral dimension of the work of the YFJ.

Sustainable Development is usually defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. It does comprise many other areas, therefore, everything from social, economical, environmental and cultural dimensions will have to be taken into account. In line with the YFJ Work Plan 2007-2008, the European Youth Forum is taking a more active and continuous role in this work:

• Encourage strategies aimed at poverty reduction and the sustainable use of natural resources by the current generation in order to secure the needs of future ones;

• Include sustainable development as a cross-sectoral dimension in the work of the European Youth Forum.

• Promote policies that put an end to the destruction of environment and to climate change

• Incorporate environment mainstreaming in all aspects of the work of the YFJ

• Contribute to the achievement of the MDGs and promoting global partnership to combat poverty

• Participate in partnerships for the full realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the implementation of the World Program of Action for Youth

• Promote the role of youth in sustainable development

• Support coordination among Member Organisations and partners working in the field of democracy building and sustainable development

• Take part in follow-up on the EU Sustainable Development Strategy

Information/ Resources