Today, the rate at which adolescents are approaching adulthood in a rapidly changing world represent the largest cohort of young people in human history, and far too many among them confront bleak prospects. However in various parts of the world, there are young people who want to be heard and involved. Why? Because they posses the ideas, determination and energy to accelerate effective action to reduce poverty and inequality. This clear cut attitude stems from the aspiration for a better future amidst the forces beyond their control-the prevalence of poverty, the incidence of crime, the availability of education and training, opportunities for decent employment, and access to affordable health services. Thus, many of them are demanding action to close the margin between the rich and the poor in a bid to increase opportunities for all. These challenges lie at the heart of goals set by world leaders to reduce poverty and improve health and well-being. Obviously, it is clear that the Millennium Development Goals will not be met unless young people are actively involved in policymaking and programming, their voices are heard, their needs are met and their human rights are respected.
Guided by the ICPD and related international bodies, safeguarding young people’s rights, promoting gender equality and equity and broadly supporting their successful transition to adulthood rank high on the UNFPA priority list. The Fund places particular emphasis on reaching out to those who are living in poverty or in other harsh circumstances. It recognizes that opportunities for learning and for protecting the health of young people (including sexual and reproductive health) are crucial to their reaching their full potential.
Albeit, the decisions young people make will shape our world and the prospects of future generations. Therefore, the need for investment in the youth can not be over emphasized in a bid to equip them with the resources and information to act. Governments must inevitably lead the way in addressing this failing. Therefore, all of us—you and I should contribute in ways both large and small in creating a better future, a future that is great because we the youths are the present.
Tags: young people, human rights
Youths are the future of the world. What we are today determines what tommorrow will be like or even what the world will be like tommorrow. Want to know why? Consider if 90% of the population of youths fold their hands and decides they were’nt going to attend school today.Being the leaders of tommorrow, what do you think the situation of thingswill be.So we should be treated with dignity and respect instead of politicians mobilising us for campaigns and when they get elected, forget all about us. We should be priorities on goverment’s investment plan.