As the Commission for Social Development has come to a close, I wanted to post an update on the progress of youth in the decision of social inclusion. On the agenda of this year’s meeting was a whole item dedicated to the World Programme of Action for Youth. European youth delegates have been very active in the commission by making statements and there is also a resolution regarding youth specifically. The two topics brought up most often were climate change and employment for young people. The need for youth to be employed is one area both our members and Member States at the commission can agree upon. At a morning briefing with the Chairperson of the Commission, Finnish Ambassador Ms. Kirsti Lintonen, she highlighted that next year (the policy year where resolutions will be made) youth employment will, in fact, be a major concern.

These are great steps to have taken, but as always, I have to temper the successes with saying that it cannot end now. Governments need to be followed up with on the statements they have made and commitments to youth they have promised. I also believe that there needs to be more youth participation in social development. I suggest more organized groups of young people from developing countries, where the majority of young people live, must be included in discussions. However, I do not have solutions to how to actually make this happen. We need to think and act together.

All I can do is leave you with some questions for thought:

What would these groups look like?
How feasible is it for young people to be physically present to conferences?
What other alternatives could be thought of to insure ALL young people have their voices heard?