Adolescents And YOUTH

Youth Participation

The energy, ideas and aspirations of young people are boundless. By fostering youth-adult partnerships, UNFPA encourages participation of young people in a wide variety of activities designed to build on and utilize their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm. Including young people in programming and policy decisions not only bolsters their self-confidence but also helps prepare them to exercise the rights and responsibilities of adulthood and citizenship.


Youth-adult partnerships are based on the understanding that young people have a right to participate in programmes that affect them and that, with training and assistance, they can become powerful advocates for positive change. Opportunities for participation are important both for the development of individuals and for the political and economic stability of the larger society. Young people's experience of citizenship and community involvement affects the extent and kind of civic participation throughout their lives.

 
Programmes
Global Youth Advisory
Panel

Exchanging views with young people from around the world
Special Youth Programme
Preparing a future generation of advocates and experts from developing countries
Y- PEER
Creating a social movement of youth reaching out to their peers

 

 
Lessons Learned
AfriYAN
African Youth and
Adolescents Network on Population and Development
EU/UNFPA Reproductive
Health Initiative for
Youth in Asia

Pioneering projects that
addressed policy, clinical
services, education and
communications.
African Youth Alliance
Youth participation -- in
programme design and
implementation

 
Other Activities
Special Youth Reports
Giving young people a stronger voice.
Distance Learning:
Young People and PRSPs

A new online e-course, 'Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers for Young People'
Partnering with young people for international meetings
Youth participation at
international meetings
Partnership with MTV's
Staying Alive Campaign

Using Youth Culture to
Promote Safer Behaviour