Investing in and empowering women and girls is one of the most cost effective and efficient ways to advance the development agenda. Adolescents are the future, but they must survive the present. Currently, the population in developing countries harbors the largest percentage of young people in history: on average they comprise 40-50% of the total population in developing countries. In many of the poorest countries, adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 account for one-quarter or more of the population.

The global project – Meeting the Development and Participation Rights of Adolescent Girls – aims to ensure that adolescent girls have the same rights and opportunities as boys. Through this initiative the concept of adolescent participation is being institutionalized and adolescent issues and rights are being mainstreamed into the policy process. Good practices and lessons learned are contributing to the design of the policy framework for adolescent programming. Indicators for measuring progress go beyond health and education statistics. The realities of girls’ lives are seen more clearly and strategies to address concerns are more focused at both the country and regional levels.

This Web Site documents the results of adolescent projects and programmes in 11 countries where the UN system is working together with governments, NGOs, community action groups and adolescents to break new ground in addressing needs and meeting challenges. The comprehensive nature of the project is illustrated here using a unique multi-media approach – combining short features, photos, video productions and specific country-level project information. The aim is to showcase results – results that are changing the very nature of adolescent programming in developing countries, showing how cooperative, interactive programmes and projects can make a real difference in the lives and prospects for adolescents everywhere.