UN Secretary General Stresses Youth Participation For INT'L Youth Day
Editor
August 12, 2022
Commemorated annually on 12 August, Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted that this year’s theme “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages” remind all of us that “we need people of all ages, young and old alike, to join forces to build a better world for all”. “When young people are shut out of the decisions being made about their lives, or when older people are denied a chance to be heard, we all lose,” he spelled out.
Mr. Guterres upheld that as the world faces a series of challenges threatening our collective future, “solidarity and collaboration are more essential than ever”.
“We also need to support gender equality and expanded opportunities for young people to participate in civic and political life”. The UN chief maintained that it is not enough to just listen to young people, “we need to integrate them into decision-making mechanisms at the local, national and international levels”. This is at the heart of the UN’s proposal to establish a new Youth Office at the Organization.
At the same time, he pointed to the importance of ensuring that older generations have access to social protection and opportunities to give back to their communities as well as the ability to share the decades of accumulated experience that they have lived.
“On this important day, let’s join hands across generations to break down barriers, and work as one to achieve a more equitable, just and inclusive world for all people,” concluded the Secretary-General.
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