The discussions at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024 focused on the SDGs under review at the 2024 HLPF (SDG 1, 2, 13, 16 and 17).
16-18 April 2024, New York City, USA: The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum provides a global platform where Member States and young leaders from across the world engage in discussions to address challenges impacting youth wellbeing. As experts not only on their own reality and needs but also in sustainable development, human rights and peace and security matters, their contributions are essential to develop more inclusive and sustainable solutions for current and future generations.
This year, the ECOSOC Youth Forum was guided by the overall theme "Youth shaping sustainable and innovative solutions: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of crises”. Throughout the three-day gathering, participants took part in thematic and regionally-based plenary discussions, exchanging innovative ideas and proposing actions to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
A plenary session on “Engaging youth in building peaceful and inclusive societies” was co-organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Youth Caucus on SDG16, focusing on SDG16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. A youth panel discussed the crucial role of youth in shaping innovative and sustainable solutions amidst the current turbulent global landscape, and a year marked by historic elections and critical decision-making processes. Increased youth engagement in peacebuilding efforts and greater funding commitment for youth-led initiatives were among the urgent calls to action underlined by the panellists.
UNODC was also represented by Ms. Janada Gadzama, a 20-year-old STRIVE Juvenile Youth Peace Champion from Borno State, Nigeria, who delivered a powerful statement during the side event entitled “Youth in Evaluation on SDG 16 for more effective, Peaceful, accountable and inclusive institutions”. Ms. Gadzama shared her perspectives on the crucial role that youth-led initiatives play in promoting accountability and inclusivity within communities affected by conflicts and the vital role of Member States in supporting youth-led efforts and youth engagement in programme evaluation.
In addition, Ms. Gadzama highlighted the prevalent issue of young people feeling marginalized “Youth do not only need a seat at the table but also their voices to be heard in every step of the implementation process to mitigate potential harm.” Stressing the importance of youth ownership, she further advocated for their active engagement in policy and decision-making processes: “Young people are not only beneficiaries. They are also partners and leaders”.
Ms. Janada Gadzama, a STRIVE Juvenile Youth Peace Champion from Borno, Nigeria.
Moreover, UNODC’s Mexico Office organized the ECOSOC "Youth Pulse: Empowering Future Crime Prevention Innovators" virtual side event. During the session, university students, experts from the private sector and civil society organizations discussed the challenges that young people face regarding crime and violence, the importance of engaging youth voices in policymaking and opportunities for collaboration between academia and the private sector. The panellists addressed issues related to gender-based violence on online gaming platforms, local prevention strategies against crime and violence and the use of technology in youth skills development.
Youth empowerment continues to be a priority for UNODC by ensuring youth voices are integrated meaningfully throughout our programmatic work. For more information on UNODC’s work with and for youth and UNODC’s Youth Empowerment Accelerator (YEA!) Framework, please visit the UNODC Youth Website: http://www.unodc.org/youth.
More information:
STRIVE Juvenile Initiative: www.unodc.org/strive-juvenile
UNODC Mexico’s Work with and for youth: https://www.unodc.org/documents/youth/UNODC_Mexico_Youth_Actions_v3.pdf
