Congratulations to the new UN Envoy on Youth!
The European Youth Forum extends warm congratulations to Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka, who was yesterday announced as the new United Nations Envoy on Youth. She will succeed former Youth Envoy, Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan.
Jayathma Wickramanayake (Image credit: UN)
The UN Envoy on Youth plays an essential role in driving forward UN priorities on youth, in advocating for the interests and needs of young people and in promoting the effective participation of young people.
As stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated: “For too long young people have been excluded from the decision-making that is affecting their futures. We must build on the work that has been done with the support of Member States, the Youth Envoy and civil society. But this cannot be an initiative by old people discussing the younger generation.”
Jayathma assumes the position of Envoy on Youth at a significant moment, when the peaceful future of our societies and the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development greatly depends on increased engagement and inclusion of young people and their organisations in decision-making. Now more than ever, political institutions and processes need to youth up!
The European Youth Forum is committed to supporting Jayathma Wickramanayake to improve the role and the lives of all young people in her important mission as Youth Envoy. Along with its 104 Member Organisations, the Youth Forum very much looks forward to working collectively with the new Youth Envoy to advance the rights and participation of young people around the world.
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