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UN YOUTH FLASH
Vol. 4, No. 4, June 2007
WELCOME to the UN Youth Flash, a service of the UN Programme on Youth to keep you informed about the work of the UN on youth issues. We encourage
you to forward the UN Youth Flash to people in your network.
In this issue:
News from UN Headquarters in New York
News from UN Headquarters in New York
Highlights from UN agencies around the
world
Feature: Sport - a universal language for
development and peace
Calendar of Youth Events
On the Internet
The UN Youth Flash can be read on-line at:
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm
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News from UN Headquarters in New York
>> Experts and youth identify goals and targets to monitor youth development
Calendar of Youth Events
On the Internet
The UN Youth Flash can be read on-line at:
http://www.un.
************
News from UN Headquarters in New York
>> Experts and youth identify goals and targets to monitor youth development
An inter-agency expert Group meeting
was held on 30-31 May at UNHQ in New York to identify goals and
targets to monitor progress on youth in a global economy. The
meeting was organized by the Department of Economic and Social
Affairs and brought together academia, experts from various
United Nations agencies, non-Governmental organizations and representatives of youth organizations, as well as representatives of
Permanent Missions to the United Nations. The two-day expert group meeting was preceded by a Preparatory Youth Forum on 29 May and was
attended by youth representatives of international youth organizations.
The Forum was designed to provide young people with background information and an opportunity to discuss the four priority areas to enable them to arrive at a clearer understanding of the issues prior to the expert group meeting. A framework of goals and targets was
established for the four priority areas, which will be incorporated in a report to be presented to the 62nd session of the General Assembly, later this year. More information is available on our website at
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/egm_unhq_may07.htm .
>> Youth voices make a difference at UN meetings
United Nations agencies, non-Governmental organizations and representatives of youth organizations, as well as representatives of
Permanent Missions to the United Nations. The two-day expert group meeting was preceded by a Preparatory Youth Forum on 29 May and was
attended by youth representatives of international youth organizations.
The Forum was designed to provide young people with background information and an opportunity to discuss the four priority areas to enable them to arrive at a clearer understanding of the issues prior to the expert group meeting. A framework of goals and targets was
established for the four priority areas, which will be incorporated in a report to be presented to the 62nd session of the General Assembly, later this year. More information is available on our website at
http://www.un.
>> Youth voices make a difference at UN meetings
Young people do make an impact at United Nations meetings and have their voices heard. One long-standing and effective method is through civil
society youth caucuses. The Youth Caucus to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) has a long history of lobbying for youth and environmental issues at the United Nations ( http://groups.
elaborate network, to discuss issues of concern and to formulate strategies and conduct advocacy activities. Other active youth caucuses include the Youth Caucus to the Commission on the Status of Women and the Youth Caucus at the World Summit on the Information Society ( http://www.wsisyout
UN is the Indigenous Youth Caucus participating in the sessions of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ( http://groups.
Nations. For more information on civil society youth action, log on and find out more at http://www.takingit
>> Do you have a youth delegate from your country attending this year’s General Assembly? If not, please see how you can begin the process to include a youth representative in your national delegation. For more
information, please see http://www.un.
>> International Youth Day – 12 August 2007
International Youth Day 2007 (IYD) is only a few weeks away! The theme for IYD 2007 is “Be seen, be heard: youth participation for development
”. Team up! Organize! Celebrate! Take action! The Day presents a great
opportunity to create awareness of the importance of youth participation
and inclusion in society. Contact your local UN office, municipality or
National Youth Council to organize a more concerted effort. For more
information, please visit
http://www.un.
************
Highlights from UN Agencies around the world
>> UNDP - Young people speak out on water rights and wrongs A booklet that provides a young people's summary of the United Nations Human Development Report (HDR) 2006: Beyond scarcity: power, poverty,
and the global water crisis. The Youth Summary of the HDR2006 will stimulate a creative debate amongst the rising generation who will face a water crisis if the continued inertia persists. The publication was
prepared by the United Nations Development Programme and Peace Child International. To download a copy of the publication, please see
http://hdr.undp.
>> UNDP - Afghanistan’s first youth parliament
From 10-14 June, young students, elected by their peers from over 90 high schools, participated in the first meeting of the Afghan Youth Training Assembly in Kabul. They gathered in the National Assembly to
learn about the parliament’s role and function, as well as to make their voices heard on key issues important to young people in Afghanistan. Among the many issues debated were stability and security, education and development. Find out more at
http://www.undp.
or email Jawaid Samadey/UNDP at jawaid.samadey@
>> UNFPA – New publication examines the power dynamics of gender and HIV
The urgency of addressing the vulnerability of young women and
adolescent girls of all backgrounds, but particularly the poor, cannot
be over stated. Innovative, far-reaching and rapid responses are needed
to impact whole generations so that the Millennium Development Goals to
reduce poverty and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS can be within reach.
This paper sets out to explore the relationship between economic
independence, vulnerability to HIV infection, the level of sexual and
reproductive health among women and adolescent girls, and gender-based
violence. To download a copy of this paper, please visit:
http://www.unfpa.
>> UNDPI - Film Your Issue competition winners
Nine Brazilian students have been recognized by the United Nations for a
short film they produced on violence in their country and beyond. The UN
Department of Public Information (DPI) awarded a prize to the film
"Looks can be Deceiving" in the FYI - Film Your Issue competition, which
encourages young people to add their voice to the public dialogue by
producing short films between 30 and 60 seconds on social issues. The
film addresses the issue of peace in areas of conflict around the world,
such as Palestine, Haiti and Iraq, but shows scenes of military and
police raids in the streets of the Brazilian metropolis. Through its
network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) located around the
world, DPI encouraged the participation of students, especially from
developing countries. To find out more and watch the winning films,
visit http://www.filmyour
>> UNICEF – VOY Working together to protect children in armed conflict
Voices of Youth called for children and young people to send their
feedback on what could be done to respect, protect and fulfil the rights
of children affected by armed conflict. Their feedback will be
consolidated into a youth report that will ensure young people’s
experiences and recommendations are incorporated in the Machel Strategic
Review Report, marking the 10th anniversary of the United Nations report
by Graça Machel, Impact of Armed Conflict on Children (A/51/306), which
will be submitted to the UN General Assembly for consideration in
October 2007. VOY is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
The youth survey can be accessed at:
http://www.unicef.
>> UNICEF – VOY Media Magic Make a Difference!
UNICEF and Voices of Youth congratulate the youth film-makers from
Argentina’s Fundación KINE Cultural y Educativa for their winning video
in the Media Magic Make a Difference! one-minute video contest. This
year’s theme was A World Fit for Children. The winning video, “Bebe -
más allá de la niñez,” will be made available for broadcast around the
world on The International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (9 December:
http://www.unicef.
and feature it on the UNICEF and Voices of Youth websites. To watch the
winning video, along with the nine other semi-finalists, go to:
http://www.unicef.
>> UNICEF - Young people speak to leaders at G8 Summit
Nine young people presented their recommendations to world leaders at
the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The young people spent 45
minutes talking to the leaders at the closing of the week-long J8 Summit
that was attended by 74 young people from eighteen countries. The Junior
8 Summit is a young people's version of the G8 meeting that takes place
in parallel to the G8 Summit. The Junior 8 programme, co-sponsored by
UNICEF, brings together young people from around the world to discuss
their views and have their voices heard by the G8 leaders and the
international community. For more information, please visit
http://www.j8summit
>> UNESCAP - Recent activities related to youth
A workshop on Youth Participation and Referral Systems was held in Banda
Aceh, Indonesia, from 22-24 May. The workshop was attended by youth and
adults from tsunami-affected communities, and representatives of
government, NGOs and international organizations. Experiences and issues
faced by the youth were discussed and action plans were developed to
strengthen referral systems.
UNESCAP also participated in the first Asia-Pacific Regional Conference
on Service Learning, held in Hong Kong, 31 May -1 June 2007. The keynote
presentation focused on youth development challenges, with particular
emphasis on youth education, participation and public service in Asia
and the Pacific and the building of effective youth policy.
A series of UNESCAP workshops are being held in the Greater Mekong
Sub-region during May and June on building community capacity and
generating supportive policies to develop treatment systems suited to
the needs of young drug users. The workshops are taking place in
Vientiane, Lao PDR; Bangkok, Thailand and Kunming, China.
UNESCAP’s project on HIV/drug-use prevention launched its year-long peer
education activities in Philippines on 3 May. Ninety seven participants
from international, national and local organizations participated in the
launch in Pasay City, Manila. The activities are based on a study
showing that the city’s out-of-school youth have higher incidences of
engaging in risky behaviours than national aggregate results. For more
information, please contact nguyen.unescap@
>> UNESCO - Register now for the 2007-2008 Mondialogo School Contest
Secondary schools around the world have until 1 November 2007 to
register for the third Mondialogo School Contest (2007-2008).
Participating schools are matched with a partner team from another
country to prepare joint creative projects illustrating a dialogue
between their two cultures. Launched to coincide with the World Day for
Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the contest puts into
practice the principles of cultural diversity and pluralism. Over 2,500
teams from all five continents are expected to participate. As part of
the launch, schools in 40 countries will organize a “Mondialogo Day” to
present their projects and plans for the contests. For more
information, please see
http://portal.
or contact: a.hamshari@unesco.
>> UNESCO SHS Views forthcoming dossier on youth
The forthcoming issue of the UNESCO quarterly, SHS Views, focuses on
UNESCO's work with and for young people. It includes articles about
UNESCO's action, priority themes and issues, an interview with a public
policy specialist with expertise in questions of youth development,
mini-interviews with young people, statistics, and much more. To
download a copy of the magazine, or to subscribe to receive a printed
version, please go to http://www.unesco.
ucj@unesco.org.
>> UNESCO Contribution to Vanguardia Latina Forum 2007
This year, 13 students from Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua,
Paraguay, Venezuela and Bolivia selected by UNESCO National Commissions
in these countries participated in Vanguardia Latina Student Forum,
which took place from 1-4 May in Washington, DC. The Forum was aimed at
gaining an understanding of the views and expectations of the students
on integration and the transformation of the Americas. In addition,
UNESCO also participated in the panel discussion on educational and
cultural policies. The delegates can now contribute ideas of regional
concern for the preparation of the on-line dialogue of the UNESCO
Americas Regional Youth Forum (September 2007) in Mexico. For more
information on the Forum, please see:
http://www.esmas.
>> UN Millennium Campaign - Young writers Stand Up against poverty
Winners of the 2006 Stand Up Writing Contest were announced earlier this
month. Students were invited to write an opinion piece on why young
people should take part in the global Stand Up initiative. Students
focused on the importance of the MDGs, but also choose to write a more
personal reflection on poverty. An international panel judged the 100
entries and winners were chosen from three age groups. To find out more
about the outcome of the contest, please visit
http://www.millenni
.
>> WHO - HPV vaccine: opportunities and risks for adolescent health
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
which, years later, can potentially cause cervical cancer. There is now
a vaccine, which is almost 100% effective in preventing the acquisition
of infection by the types of HPV which cause approximately 70% of
cervical cancers. The vaccine is recommended for 11-12 year-old girls,
and can be given to girls as young as 9. The vaccine can also be
administered to 13-26 year-old girls and young women to cover the
population which did not receive the vaccine at the target age.
Overcoming social and geographical barriers to reaching young people is
a huge challenge, and one which needs greater attention, not only for
the sake of preventing cervical cancer, but to ensure the overall health
and well-being of adolescents everywhere. For more information, please
contact chandramouliv@
>> WHO - Male circumcision promotes adolescent health
In response to the urgent need to reduce the number of new HIV
infections, in March 2007, WHO and UNAIDS convened an expert
consultation. Evidence from three randomized controlled trials in Africa
was presented at the consultation, showing that male circumcision
reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by
approximately 60 per cent. WHO and UNAIDS subsequently released
recommendations confirming that male circumcision is an effective HIV
prevention strategy. However, they stress that male circumcision should
not be viewed as a "stand alone" intervention, but delivered as part of
a minimum package which includes counselling about safer sex practices,
access to HIV testing, condom promotion and provision, and management of
STIs. The recommendations call on countries with high prevalence,
generalized heterosexual HIV epidemics and low prevalence of male
circumcision to consider urgently scaling up access to the intervention,
as a priority for adolescents and young men. To download the WHO/UNAIDS
recommendations on male circumcision and HIV prevention, go to:
http://www.who.
************
Feature: Sport - a universal language for development and peace
The following is an interview with Dr. Djibril Diallo, Director, United
Nations New York Office of Sport for Development and Peace.
> How does sport fit into UN's development agenda and peace-building
efforts? How does sport promote youth development and peace?
Sport is a universal language. It has the power to bring people
together, bridge differences, and promote communication and
understanding. Sport is an integral part of quality education, and vital
for improving public health. Sport also offers opportunities for
economic development and better livelihoods.
Under-Secretary-
Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, and former
President of Switzerland, is encouraging the United Nations and its
partners to use sport more systematically in development and
peace-building. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says: “Sport is
increasingly recognized as an important tool in helping the United
Nations achieve its objectives, in particular the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs).”
Sport holds great attractions for young people, who are among the
greatest beneficiaries of the positive effects of sport. Participation
in sports empowers young women, and broadens opportunities for youth
with disabilities. Sport is also a powerful way to mobilize the younger
generation in support of the MDGs.
> What were the main goals of the UN Global Youth Leadership Summit for
youth, and what’s planned as a follow-up?
The Summit, held in October 2006, brought together youth delegates
between the ages of 18 and 30 to discuss ways to accelerate the
attainment of the MDGs and promote peace, using sport and culture as
entry points. They were appointed Youth Spokespersons for the MDGs in
their countries.
The Summit and its follow-up activities contribute to the implementation
of the World Programme of Action for Youth by increasing recognition of
the rights and aspirations of youth and strengthening the participation
of young people in decision-making processes to increase their impact on
development.
The Summit has been endorsed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and so
far, more than 100 young leaders in 70 countries have engaged in 370
activities to help achieve the MDGs. The Council of Mentors, chaired by
Mr. Mohanlal Mittal, whose foundation was a main sponsor of the event,
is organizing mentoring to help youth leaders improve skills and seeking
support for youth initiatives.
> What is the UN Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace, and how
will it promote youth development globally?
To maintain the momentum of the International Year of Sport and Physical
Education 2005 (see
http://ww.sportandd
Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 61/10 on 3 November 2006
endorsing the three-year Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace.
It is a framework to enable the UN system, Member States, the world of
sport and other partners to incorporate sport in programmes for health,
education, development and peace. There is great potential for youth
involvement in all aspects of the Action Plan.
> What are some key upcoming events related to sport for development and
peace?
The African Union is organizing the International Year of African
Football 2007 and the World Cup African Legacy Programme for the 2010
FIFA World Cup in South Africa to promote African development and peace,
and we are encouraging United Nations participation. We are facilitating
United Nations activities around the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and
Paralympics, and the 2007 Special Olympics in Shanghai.
We are helping prepare a sport for peace project in Côte d’Ivoire,
following up previous initiatives in Democratic Republic of Congo and
Liberia, and also working with UNDP on a programme using sport to reduce
youth and gang violence in Central America. The second European Youth
Sport Congress, led by delegates to the Global Youth Leadership Summit,
to be held in October 2007 in Germany will highlight MDGs Goal 8:
“Developing a global partnership for development.”
For more information on the UN Office for Sport for Development and
Peace, please visit http://www.un.
************
Calendar of Youth Events
>> 25-29 June: Young people in Asia make their voices heard
The series of UNESCO Regional Youth Forums continues with a regional
youth forum in Asia being held on Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea.
The forum, under the theme, Young People and the Dialogue among
Civilizations, Cultures and Peoples, will bring together young delegates
from 28 countries in the region and representatives of youth
organizations to debate on Intercultural and Interfaith dialogue and to
elaborate related recommendations for youth-led action. The series of
UNESCO Regional Youth Forums will continue with Forums for Africa, the
Americas and the Arab States. For more information, please contact:
mh.henriques-
>> 30 June - 4 July: "We Are One" Dialogue on Cultural Diversity
The World Youth Foundation will organize a Youth Dialogue in cooperation
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, Ministry of Youth and
Sports Malaysia, the State Government of Melaka, and other agencies. The
Dialogue, supported by the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF), will
contribute to the forthcoming ASEM Meeting of Ministers on Cultures to
be held on 16–17 July 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. The Dialogue provides a
unique opportunity for young people from ASEM and Europe to discuss
their different cultural and social priorities to cultivate a culture of
peace in their regions. For more information, please visit
http://www.wyf.
>> 8-12 July: Regional South East Europe Youth Summit on HIV/AIDS
prevention
The theme of the third Regional South East Europe Youth Summit on
HIV/AIDS prevention is “together we can bring change“. The Summit will
be held in Novi Sad, Serbia, and will facilitate and exchange of
experience in HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as provide an opportunity for
regional networking of organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention.
To find out more about the summit, please visit
http://www.sida.
>> 12 August: International Youth Day
International Youth Day 2007 (IYD) is only a few weeks away! The theme
for IYD 2007 is “Be seen, be heard: youth participation for development
”. For more information, please visit
http://www.un.
>> 9 - 19 August: 42nd Annual UNESCO International Youth Camp
Held annually since 1966 by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO
(KNCU), the International Youth Camp (IYC) is an 11-day summer program
that brings young people from around the world of different ethnic,
religious and cultural backgrounds to participate in activities that
promote international understanding and sustainable development. The
theme of the 2007 IYC is "Unite Youth, Create Change" that highlights
the opportunities for young people to change their societies for the
better. For more information, please visit
http://youth.
>> 26-30 August: UNEP TUNZA International Youth Conference
The TUNZA International Youth Conference will be held this year in
Leverkusen, Germany. It is one of the main platforms for cooperation and
interaction between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
its youth partners. Organized for young people (15-24 years), the
Conference provides opportunities for youth to learn from one another,
share experiences and ideas on community-based environmental actions and
develop joint strategies on promoting environmental protection. For more
information, please visit http://www.unep.
>> 10-11 September: Youth Microenterprise Conference
The conference organized by Making Cents International will bring
together international development practitioners, policy makers, members
of the private sector, youth, and other experienced professionals in the
fields of education, microenterprise development, and youth
entrepreneurship. Participants will share experiences, best practices,
and ideas on how most effectively to reduce poverty, vulnerability and
unemployment among youth around the world. For information, to attend
or to submit a session proposal, please visit:
http://www.ymeconfe
>> 24-26 September: Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development
The Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) is organizing a
Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development: Youth and ICT as Agents
of Change, that will help harness the creativity and dynamism of youth
in exploring and using ICT for the benefit of their communities and in
achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Forum aims at
actively engaging youth in debates and discussions with their peers,
policy makers, the private sector and technology experts in exploring
ways to empower their communities through the appropriate and
responsible use of ICT. For more information, please visit
http://www.un-
>> 17 October: Stand Up, Speak Out!
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, join millions
of people from around the world to Stand Up and Speak Out against
poverty and inequality. In 2000, world leaders from 189 countries signed
up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a global plan to halve
extreme poverty by 2015. Last year, more than 23 million people in 87
countries stood up and took action to remind them of this promise. Also,
7 July 2007 marks the half way point to achieve the MDGs. For more
information, please visit: http://www.standaga
************
On the Internet
>> Find the latest education indicators in UNESCO’s new data centre
UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics (UIS) has released the latest
available literacy statistics, along with internationally comparable
education indicators for the 2005 school year. This data release
coincides with the launch of the new UIS Data Centre.
With over 1,000 types of indicators and data on education in over 200
countries, the UIS Data Centre allows users to download existing
statistical tables related to UNESCO's work or build their own
statistical tables by choosing a country, region or theme. Go to the new
data center: http://stats.
>> Taking IT Global - What Are Your Thoughts on Child Labour?
More than 200 million children in the world today are involved in child
labour, doing work that is damaging to his or her mental, physical and
emotional development. Children work because their survival and that of
their families depend on it. Child labour persists even where it has
been declared illegal. Submit your opinions here:
http://en.takingitg
>> Shoot Nations 2007 - Global Youth Photography Competition
Shoot Nations, in association with Plan International, is a global youth
photography competition for 11 - 24 year olds from around the world, who
can sign up and submit three photographs on the theme of governance and
what it means to them. The winning photographs will be presented and
displayed at the United Nations Headquarters on the 10th August at the
International Youth Day event in New York. For more information and
participation details, please see http://www.shootnat
************
Contact information
UN Youth Flash is a service of the UN Programme on Youth, of the
Division for Social Policy and Development, within the Department for
Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at the United Nations Secretariat in
New York. The UN Youth Flash can be read on-line at:
http://www.un.
To subscribe and unsubscribe to the information service, please send an
e. mail to:
youth@un.org, with “subscribe” or “unsubscribe” as the subject line.
For more information about Youth at the United Nations, please visit:
http://www.un.
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