There has been upsurge in international youth unrest in recent years, with groups of young people organizing and demanding attention to issues that specifically affect them. Often marginalized from local and national development, youth are particularly vulnerable to shocks and conflicts, and are often left behind despite widespread progress. The experiences of this demographic in times of great global economic, social, human rights and environmental challenges require dedicated research and targeted solutions.

The Columbia Global Policy Initiative at Columbia University, together with the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, is organizing an event – Marginalization and Inequalities Facing Youth – that will bring together academics, practitioners, civil society, and youth activists to discuss their experiences with youth marginalization, and to identify specific proposals and solutions for addressing the issue on the local, country, and international levels. Taking place over two days, the policy dialogue’s second day is open to Member States, UN entities, civil society, and young people.

Invited speakers (to be confirmed) for day two, which will be held in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the UN in New York, include Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP; and H.E. Samantha Power, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations. Confirmed speakers include Ms. Kristin Hetle, Director of Strategic Partnerships Division of UN Women; Mrs. Christina Pucarinho, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Mission of Portugal to the United Nations; and H.E. Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Interested to participate in the event? Register @bit.ly/YouthInequality