Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates of which many of you are youth delegates, which I am very happy to see,
I wish to align myself with the statement made previously by the UK on behalf of the European Union.
It’s an honour to be here today together with the Swedish youth delegate, Hanna Hallin.
I often get the question why a specific youth policy is needed. My answer always is: Because youth are facing similar challenges. It is about a good education. It is about establishing oneself on the labour market and getting your first own place to live. This must be a possibility for all regardless of whether you are rich or poor, a young woman or a young man, if you live in the north or the south, or what background you are from.
The Swedish Government as well as the National Council of Swedish Youth Organisations strongly support a reaffirmation of the World Programme of Action for Youth. We also attach critical importance to the five additional areas identified in the 2003 World Youth Report. Swedish national youth policy has been greatly inspired by and is very much in line with the Programme. Both when it comes to the cross-sectoral way of looking at youth issues and to the prioritised areas.
Major improvements have been made in the situation of young women and men in many areas. But, we are still facing great challenges. Over 200 million young persons still live in poverty. 130 million are illiterate. Almost 25 percent of those who live with HIV globally are under the age of 25. Youth unemployment worldwide has increased during the last decade.
We know that in periods of economic recession, youth are among the worst hit. We also know from studies that being unemployed when you are young affects your future possibilities in the labour market. Therefore promoting youth employment is one of the top priorities for the Swedish Government. The EU has also recently, after an initiative by France, Germany, Spain and Sweden, made a stronger commitment to the promotion of youth employment through the European Youth Pact. Mr. President,
As was discussed at the round table yesterday, we have to make commitments matter and take concrete action. The work has to be done both at the local, regional, national and international level and in partnership with civil society and other concerned actors. Youth and their organisations should play leading role in this work.
Implementation of cross-sectoral integrated national youth policies is vital. So is a renewed and continuous commitment to implement the World Programme of Action for Youth, the Millennium Development Goals and other international agreements.
Mr. President,
We often talk about young people as the future. But let us never forget that they are an important part of society today. It is not for them, but together with them that we shall work to realise the objectives of the World Programme of Action.
Thank you!