Mr. President,
Imagine a world where millions of young people do not die before the age of twenty, because of poverty, pregnancy, conflict, lacking health services or HIV/AIDS. Where young women and men are able to read, and have decent work with a decent salary. A world where young people are free to seek their identity, without fear of repression, exclusion or discrimination. Imagine a world where the voices of youth count.
As the Swedish Youth Representative, I am honored to address you today. There are more youth representatives present here than ever. This is a welcomed tenth anniversary birthday gift from these governments, to the youth of their nations and of the world.
Governments must continue to include youth representatives in their national delegations; and allow them to participate and be listened to. It is about making commitments matter, but foremost about the long-term development of each society and the world at large. Mr. President,
Young women and men are today a major force in global development. Young people given the possibility are initiating a vast number of projects, improving life in their communities. These projects include combating HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, promoting a clean environment and initiating peer-to peer education.
Youth led initiatives must be facilitated and, when effective, turned into partnerships with governments, non-governmental organisations or inter-governmental organisations. The establishment of independent youth organisations must be an essential and uncomplicated process; and youth organisations must have access to public and private funding.
Young people should be seen as equal partners in the process of achieving the Millennium Development Goals. I stress here the significance of viewing WPAY as key to accomplish the eight development goals. In this work we ask for recognition and involvement of youth, we ask for tolerance and understanding, and we ask for implementation.
At the same time, young people are being marginalized when governments do not respect the right to health, education and decent work. We are also marginalized when we are not allowed to express our sexual, religious or indigenous identity without fear for our lives. For instance, today young people flee their countries because of their sexual identity. It should be every person’s right to seek ones identity. It is a question of human dignity.
Hence, every national youth policy should include measurable goals on how to improve the situation for all young women and men, with special attention to marginalized youth, in order to secure our full participation in society. Mr. President,
There are no adequate excuses. Young people’s needs must be taken into account and young people must be able to lead the development of their societies.
We want a world where young people do not die before the age of twenty. Where young people are able to read, and have decent work with a decent salary. A world where young people are free to seek their identity, and where the voices of youth count.
Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is time for action. We all know what to do. Now, let us please do it. This world we are aiming for is well within our reach. We have the goals, the means and the motivation to reach it. Let us prove that our common efforts in WPAY were not in vain. Let young people be the change.
Thank you.