The focal point within the United Nations system on matters relating to youth issues is the Youth Unit, in the Division for Social Policy and Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. It has been set up to:

• Enhance awareness of the global situation of youth and increase recognition of the rights and aspirations of youth.

• Promote national youth policies, national youth coordinating mechanisms and national youth programmes of action as integral parts of social and economic development, in co-operation with both governmental and non-governmental youth organizations.

• Strengthen the participation of youth in decision-making processes at all levels in order to increase their impact on national development and international cooperation.

The Youth Unit promotes global standards on youth; issues biennial reports on the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond to the General Assembly; produces periodic publications on youth: United Nations Youth Information Bulletin and World Youth News; undertakes research such as the Global Situation of Youth; coordinates the United Nations Youth Information Network on the Internet; coordinates UN inter-agency meetings on youth and meetings of NGO Committees on Youth and of intergovernmental youth organizations; supports basic constituencies, as through the 1998 World Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth (185 Member States) and the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System, next scheduled for 1998, and annual meetings with youth delegates to enhance policy access and participation of youth in decision-making; provides youth training opportunities and operational activities at the national and regional levels with the United Nations Youth Fund.

Contact:
Mr. William D. Angel, Officer-in-Charge
Youth Unit
Division for Social Policy and Development
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Room DC2-1318
United Nations
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
Tel.: (212) 963-1380Fax: (212)963-3062
Web site: http://www.un.org/dpcsd/dspd/unyin.htm
E-mail: angelw@un.org