Youth: A high priority in UNESCO’s work
Themed “Youth and Social Inclusion: Civic Engagement, Dialogue and Skills Development,” the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum brought together about 500 young people from more than 150 countries to share ideas, experiences and reflections on common problems.
An integral part of UNESCO’s General Conference, the forum took place at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris from the 29th to 31st October, during which participants discussed the three objectives of the Operational Strategy on Youth 2014-2021. Among the objectives are “Policy formulation and review with youth participation” under Axis 1 and “Capacity development for the transition to adulthood” under Axis 2. Another is “Civic engagement, democratic participation and social innovation” under Axis 3.
For each objective, the forum made several recommendations, which will be submitted to UNESCO’s member states during the 37th General Conference to be held from the 5th to 20th November. Under Axis 1, one of the forum’s recommendations is to “ensure that a permanent United Nations youth forum is established in the UN system.” It then suggested, under Axis 2, to recognise “youth’s skills and competences gained through non-formal and informal education and training.” Finally, under Axis 3, it urged member states to “support economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable youth development projects.”
In addition to the strategic recommendations, the forum delegates selected 15 youth-led action projects (three projects per each of the five UNESCO regions) related to the Operational Strategy on Youth. The projects received the “8th UNESCO Youth Forum Label,” which also provides their initiators with opportunities to mobilise funds, partnerships and international visibility. The label is the starting point of the projects’ implementation process over a period of up to two years, thereby constituting a key outcome for the Forum’s follow-up.
The European Youth Forum supports UNESCO’s efforts in engaging young people as true actors and partners in its work.
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