UNFPA accords high priority to promoting adolescent reproductive health, by providing young people with reproductive health information and services, as agreed upon by the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994 and at other forums. Closely related to this goal is the need to promote gender equality and equity, which encompasses improving the status of women; increasing male involvement in family matters, including family planning; and the need to advocate basic education for all, particularly girls and young women. UNFPA attaches the greatest importance to working with young people, their organizations, families and the community. UNFPA also works closely with Governments and with other United Nations organizations and interested parties, such as the media. It is UNFPA policy to give greater voice to young people and to listen to them, as was evident in the 1996 International Youth Essay Contest in support of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System at Vienna, which saw entries from thousands of young people from 112 countries and territories.

Contact:

Mr. James Chui
Focal Point for Youth
Technical and Evaluation Division
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Room DN-1731
220 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.

Tel.: (212) 297-5242; Fax: (212) 297-4915

E-mail: chui@unfpa.org