Youth Portal for the Latin America and the Caribbean - The International Year of Youth, 2010- 2011

On this occasion, 27 Heads of UN agencies signed a joint statement for the launch of the International Year of Youth [PDF, 366 KB].

25 years after the first International Year of Youth in 1985 and five years ahead of the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, this Year brings youth to the forefront of global debates and calls for increased investments and strengthened commitments in recognition of the key role of youth in development.

The theme of the Year is particularly relevant to UNESCO’s work as it embraces the Organization’s approach to youth as agents of peace and vital partners in national development. It coincides with the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, which UNESCO is leading and which has recognised an increased role for youth in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.

A Key Role for UNESCO

UNESCO is currently co-chairing the UN Interagency Network on Youth development with the UN Programme on Youth at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). As such, UNESCO will coordinate, with the UN Programme on Youth, the joint initiatives for the celebration of the Year, the UN input to key global events during the Year, particularly the World Youth Conference (August 2010, Mexico), and the preparations for the UN World Youth Conference in 2011 (July 2011, UN).

UNESCO is also developing specific initiatives within the strategic objectives of the Youth Programme with an effort to also link these to the celebrations of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2010):

    * A Global Report on Youth Civic Engagement with region-specific data and research and a particular focus on young women and vulnerable youth groups;
    * A campaign for the ratification and implementation of the African Youth Charter, is being proposed (subject to funding) to be carried out with the African Union Commission and key partners in Africa, within the implementation of the Strategy on African Youth 2009-2013;
    * The launch of a joint UNESCO - Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) publication, based on the results of the UNESCO-IDB interagency project on “Best practices in Youth Policies and Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean”;
    * Building on the 5-year project on “Youth Development and violence prevention in Central America”, UNESCO is planning to develop a publication and an online handbook on the preventive approach to violence among youth;
    * A regional conference on youth participation in UNESCO National Commissions,;
    * A handbook on ‘Fostering Youth Engagement in UNESCO's National Commissions’ is being developed the Canadian National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the Secretariat;
    * The 4th UNESCO Asian Youth Forum, organized by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO and the Secretariat, in September 2010.

Global Events and the 2011 UNESCO Youth Forum

UNESCO will be actively involved in major youth events organized throughout the Year, particularly the World Youth Conference in Mexico (23-27 August 2010).

In response to the call of the UN General Assembly for increased synergies in the field of youth, UNESCO has proposed the development of a more sustainable and collaborative follow-up mechanism on all major events on youth. This will provide an accountability structure for all stakeholders involved in these events and will give a stronger impetus to follow-up action at all levels. UNESCO has mobilised key partners around this idea which was endorsed by the UN Interagency Network on Youth Development and will be among the key areas of interagency collaboration throughout the Year and beyond.

Organized at culmination of the Year, the 2011 UNESCO Youth Forum will be an opportunity for all agencies and stakeholders to report to youth participants on their initiatives to celebrate the International Year of Youth and to jointly plan the way forward. It will also provide an opportunity to assess the linkages with the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, in the celebrations of which youth are recognized as a vital partner.

It’s “Our Year. Our Voice”, so get engaged and participate!

The new logo for the IYY is available in the six official languages of the United Nations. To download it and to know how to use it, please follow the link below: http://social.un.org/youthyear/logo.html

Website: http://social.un.org/youthyear/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/unyouthyear/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UNyouth/

Download the Joint Statement by Heads of UN Entities for the Launch of the International Year of Youth [PDF, 366 KB]

For more information, please contact Ms Golda El-khoury, g.elkoury(at)unesco.org
12.08.2010
Source: UNESCO Social and Human Sciences

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/sv/news/the_international_year_of_youth_2010_2011/