UNITED NATIONS, New York— More than a quarter of the world’s population—around 1.8 billion people—are between the ages of 10 and 24. About half of them live on less than $2 a day, more than 100 million do not attend school, and 16 million teenage girls become mothers every year.
“Young people deserve our immediate and unwavering support,” said Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. “Every young person needs education, including sexuality education, and access to health services, including reproductive health. Now is the time to invest in young people and open space for their participation to build a better future for all.”
During the upcoming United Nations Summit on Youth, UNFPA will urge world leaders to include young people’s visions in their policies, promote their human rights and development needs, and ensure their participation in decisions affecting them. The Fund will also organize and participate in several events during the meeting that will take place on 25 and 26 July under the theme, Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. These events include:
Monday, 25 July
What: Main panel on strengthening international cooperation regarding youth towards poverty eradication , during which Dr. Osotimehin will make a strong case for investing in young people in order to secure their nations’ future.
Where: General Assembly Hall
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
What: Cooperation towards Financing Youth Development and Empowerment in Africa
Where: Conference Room D, North Lawn Building
Who: Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union
When: 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 26 July
What: #OutOfTheBoxAdvocacy: Influencing change through creative communications and social media
Where: Millennium Hotel, Riverview Room (28 floor)
When: 12 – 1:45 p.m.
What: Youth as Strategic Agents of Development: Launch of a case study on the ProJovem programme in Brazil
Where: Conference Room 1, North Lawn Building
When: 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
What: Youth in the Arab States: Reshaping History: Presentation and panel discussion on the UN, governments and civil society adjusting to the new realities of the Arab States.
Where: Conference Room 7, North Lawn Building
When: 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
What: Crossfire: A dialogue between youth leaders and decision makers
Where: Conference Room C, North Lawn Building
When: 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
In addition, UNFPA will be facilitating the participation of four young activists who are making a difference in their communities and countries:
Mr. Amadou Moctar Diallo, a 24-year-old from Senegal who is using social media to advocate on West Africa’s social and political issues.
Ms. Leila Yasmin Mucarsael, a 24-year-old civil society organizer from Argentina.
Mr. Aniyamuzaala James Rwampigi, a hearing-impaired social development expert from Uganda who works on disability and youth rights.
Mr. Wissam M. Samhat, a 23-year-old from Lebanon who has promotes youth issues at regional and international events.
For information, or to request interviews with Dr. Osotimehin or with the youth participants, please contact:
Abubakar Dungus
Tel: +1 212 297 5031
Email: dungus@unfpa.org
Omar Gharzeddine
Tel: +1 212 297 5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org