SDGs: Involve, Engage and Empower The Youth

Published via Sayfty.Com on July 20, 2017 (Link: https://sayfty.com/sdgs-involve-engage-empower-youth/)

“The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today‘syounger generation who will pass the torch to future generations.”- UNDP

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also known as Global Goals are a new, universal set of goals, targets, and indicators adopted by the UN member states to frame their agendas and political policies to achieve a Planet50-50 by 2030.

The SDGs follow and expand on the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The UN conducted the largest consultation program in its history to gauge opinion on what the SDGs should include and in the end, decided on 17 goals and 169 targets

Youth Participation is key to achieving the SDGs

The SDGs are a universal agenda for “transforming our world” and role of youth will be crucial in achieving the said goals. If countries are to succeed in achieving the SDGs, leaving no one behind along the way, governments must seek out an active and substantive engagement of young women and men from diverse backgrounds in national-level planning, implementation, and monitoring

There are more young people in the world than ever before, creating an unprecedented potential for being the champions of economic and social progress.

• There are about 8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 – the largest youth population ever. Many of them are in developing countries. In fact, in the world’s 48 least developed countries, children or adolescents make up a majority of the population.
• The number of youth between the ages of 15 and 24 is1 billion; youth constitute 18 percent of the global population. Youth and children together, including all those aged 24 years and younger, account for nearly 40 percent of the world’s population.

We as youth should actively engage in global efforts to create the world we desire. Unfavorable economic situations, availability of resources, discrimination or lack of information can sometimes hinder our potential. With proper investment in their education and opportunities, these young people’s ideas, and innovations will play a pivotal role is achieving the Planet50-50 goals by 2030.

The overall success of the SDGs depends on youth engagement and participation. Young people participate in different and new ways and have a lot to offer in any journey of transformation. The success of the World Education Forum wherein youth played a vital role in the development of this agenda and in shaping education policy is a great example of how youth involvement can add significantly to the success of any transformational agenda.

Here is what we, the youth bring to the table:

Differentiated thinking: We have the capacity to identify and challenge existing power structures and barriers to change, and to expose contradictions and biases. A great example of this is AHAA – Twenty students, one professor, united together for a single cause to spread awareness of prejudice, establish harmony between groups, and promote acceptance of our differences.

Change–makers: We like to act and mobilize others to bring about a positive change through activism, social movements, and creative expressions. Youth Ki Awaaz amongst many others is one such platform, which shares stories on things that matter.

Unique perspective and participation: In addition to bringing fresh perspectives, we often have direct knowledge of and more insights into issues due to the emergence of social media. We know how to use it to our advantage. More importantly, we best understand the problems we face and can offer new ideas and alternative solutions.

Natural communicators: We are effective partners in engaging people at the grassroots level and in communicating the goals to a wider audience through innovative ways and channels. Youth activism is on the rise the world over, bolstered by broader connectivity and access to social media. Read the stories of 10 young activists who are changing the world and these are just a few of the many.

Empowered young leaders: An empowered youth is knowedgeable of their rights and has the leadership skills, to drive change in their communities and countries. Young people and youth-led organizations need to have space and recognition to participate in the translation of the agenda into local, national and regional policy, in implementation, in monitoring and review, in holding governments accountable.

The SDGs are interconnected and integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Young people’s knowledge, participation, reach and innovative solutions are essential for the realization of the SDGs

Governments that recognize the value of collaborating with the youth to drive this agenda as partners and establish clear and explicit pathways for their meaningful participation will have an advantage and will be much better positioned to achieve the 17 SDGs and related targets than the others. With the right commitment and empowerment, youth can fulfill their roles — and that way make the most effective transformation of the world into a better place for all.

For those, like me, who are keen to be part of this transformational growth agenda, here is agood Youth Action Guide on the SDGs by By Ravi Karkara and Rohit Porhukuchi whichprovides youth with a simple guide to get started under each SDG.

Look forward to your views and comments.

Namit Makhija