Youth and the Millennium Development Goals

This 102-page report is part of a process designed to catalyse further dialogue, collaboration, and action in the direction of youth inclusion in the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was formulated by an international team of young leaders from non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The research was gathered through an open online peer review process, as well as a 3-week online consultation which involved more than 350 young people from around the world. The focus was on how young people's contributions can be acknowledged - and how they can continue to be included and empowered - as part of the strategies that Member States and the United Nations system are creating for the achievement of the MDGs.

In an earlier, worldwide online consultation with more than 350 youth about the MDGs in June 2004, most of the respondents said that they knew little or nothing about the MDGs. They also stressed that they do not have access to tools for implementation. According to the e-consultation, young people ask for: tools such as internet access, meeting spaces, adult mentors and allies, opportunities for volunteerism, access and training to information communication technologies (ICTs), business training, civic education, access to political leaders, information sharing, education, and general support and encouragement from government and institutions, including resources and funding.

This document is meant to be used as an advocacy tool and guide for programmatic action, but ultimately, it is meant to serve as a call to the international community to create sustained partnerships with young people as a crucial strategy for achieving the MDGs. Its premise is that youth have much to contribute to achievement of each Goal, but that their contributions to their communities and nations are not entirely understood or maximised.

AAs the 40 case studies offered here illuminate, youth are making a difference as activists, as leaders in community development, and by their record levels of volunteers. Young people are also already participating in decision-making to formulate better policies and programmes in many government and institutional structures. Along these lines, Part I outlines the existing mechanisms for youth participation in development policy. These channels can be used by governments and institutions to strengthen and mobilise young people as partners in policy formulation. Here is a synopsis of ways in which young people have been mobilised and involved:

• Youth and National Governments - "A progressive national youth policy obliges traditional decision-makers to not only work for young people, but with them in order to let their experiences inform the development of appropriate interventions and services....Extensive experience has shown that good practice in youth participation provides choices, is challenging and fun; addresses issues perceived as relevant by young people; raises young people's awareness of social, political, economic, cultural and personal issues that affect them; provides training and skills development to youth; ensures that young people are given ongoing support in their civic role; provides them with a sense of ownership in decision-making, when they feel that their participation is valued; involves the adequate allocation of resources (including time, space, funding and information); acknowledges their contributions; recognized that young people often experience financial and transport constraints (getting to meetings, for example); involves a careful recruitment and selection process; and involves a review process for both young people and adults....Given the wide diversity of political cultures and systems, countries must establish their own priorities and mechanisms in order to create an effective youth policy that is both authentic and relevant. The formulation of a national youth policy should not be a top-down process. A sound youth policy requires that a wide variety of social actors be involved....Any viable youth policy is one in which young people are not just spectators or advisers, but are truly involved in decision-making processes."
• Youth Councils, Parliaments and Regional Platforms - "At a local or city level, youth councils impact on the lives of young people through a variety of local government roles, such as providing information, advocacy to other agencies, planning, and direct delivery of such services. Councils can demonstrate their commitment to young people through actively and visibly promoting young people as an integral part of the community. In countries where national youth councils or similar structures do not exist, it is important to look at current youth involvement in civil society, and enhance such engagement by inviting youth to further participate in governmental and development processes with a focus on involving more youth and creating representative mechanisms whenever possible."
• Youth and the United Nations - "Within the UN Secretariat, the Programme on Youth works to support the mandate of the UN by increasing channels of communication between youth, youth organizations and the UN system. The UN Programme on Youth also provides avenues through which young people can participate in the UN system. Through their website, information about upcoming events is provided, as well as country data on youth and information on various national youth policies." Approaches for including youth delegates in the General Assembly, youth delegates in UN commissions, youth and UN agencies (programmatice work), and youth and sustainable development are described here.
• Youth and Multilateral Institutions - "...Multilateral institutions such as the Council of Europe engage young people through instruments such as the Advisory Council on Youth, which comprises 30 representatives of non-governmental youth organizations and networks. It provides opinions and input from the youth NGOs on all youth sector activities and ensures that young people are involved in the Council's other activities. It also facilitates the Joint Council on Youth as a co-decision body..." Youth Organizations - "Support to youth organizations and their structures on a national level through National Youth Councils or Youth Committees in many countries is the basic strategy to involve young people....The[se organisations] represent a primarily untapped resource for the development of concrete action plans by governments and display several comparative advantages over other sectors. Youth organizations are dynamic and cost-effective; they have the know-how to design and implement youth-friendly strategies; and they have a vested interest in implementing the MDGs as future inhabitants of the planet."
• Youth and NGOs - "Many large NGOs...continuously seek the input of young people in their work. They do so by having youth on their boards and youth advisory councils, or consciously seek youth expertise and participation in other ways. Their strategies include working with youth on the ground, having internship or mentoring programmes in their offices, etc....NGO alliances with youth are invaluable."

Part II presents youth participation as it relates directly to the MDGs; each goal is analysed with respect to its effect on young people's lives as well as how young people can play - and are playing - a role in its implementation. Under each goal are a number of "Options for Action" that governments, the UN, and multilateral organisations can use to harness the contributions that youth can make to achieving the MDGs. Part III links these opportunities with the "Quick Wins" of the UN Millennium Project's report and suggests actions that can be scaled up or prioritised to achieve demonstrable gains in the short term. Finally, Part IV of the paper elaborates on cross-cutting recommendations on how to work with youth in MDG processes.

Click here to download the report in PDF format in either English, French, or Spanish. To request printed copies, contact youth@un.org