Young leaders from around the world at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2023.

The ECOSOC Youth Forum, the largest annual gathering of young people under the UN banner is set to convene at the United Nations from April 16th to 18th. This year’s forum echoes the theme of the 2024 High-level Political Forum: "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions." The three-day event features plenary sessions, interactive thematic and regionally based discussions, and discussions on innovative solutions for young people in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

UNICEF has teamed up with spoken word artist @clickfortaz, in support of the 1 in 7 adolescents living with a mental health condition and to promote good mental health and well-being for all children and young people.

A collage of young human rights champions.

The stories of these young human rights champions serve as a source of inspiration, motivating others to take action and educate their communities on the importance of human rights.

Photo composition with a picture of Elizabeth Wathuti, a young Kenyan climate activist, holding a plant.

Climate change has caused an increase in uncertainty about our future. The unprecedented mobilization of young people worldwide shows their immense power to hold decision-makers accountable. Their message is clear: the older generation has failed, and the young will pay in full — with their very futures. A Global Conference of Youth (GCOY) is taking place ahead of COP28 in Dubai and provides a space for capacity building and policy training. GCOY also brings together all collected inputs, which will be directly fed into the climate negotiations via the official youth policy paper.

UNESCO is actively working with the youth to raise awareness about the damages of the climate crisis and find solutions to address the social impacts of climate change.

Vibrant scenes of the September 20, 2019 demonstration in downtown New York during the youth-led global #ClimateStrike.

With a focus on the Social Impacts of Climate Change, the 13th edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum (November 14-15) underscores the need for an equitable climate transition. As young people’s voices ring loud in their assertion that climate change jeopardizes their future, the event seeks to amplify their role in shaping solutions. With the belief that the social impacts of climate change demand center stage, the Forum provides a crucial platform for young changemakers, offering them the chance to influence policies and collaboratively devise strategies for a just and sustainable future.

No smoking banner

WHO asserts that young people must be protected from deadly second-hand smoke and toxic e-cigarette emissions as well as ads promoting these products.

young man with solar panels

Green jobs can help tackle the climate crisis and the labour market challenges faced by young people. So what exactly are green jobs? And what can young people do to create a sustainable future for themselves?

To answer these questions, on The Future of Work Podcast, Maja Markus holds a discussion with two young people from a trade union and an employers' organization, as well as a Junior Professional Officer working at the Green Jobs unit of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

school girls on break looking at their mobile devices

By the time many of the teenage climate activists of today are in their late 20s, climate change could force an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty [World Bank]. By 2050, the risk of hunger and malnutrition could rise by 20 percent if the global community fails to act now [WFP]. This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.

 

young people learning about mechanics

Technological advancements and shifting labour market dynamics increasingly call for agile and adaptable skill sets. It is crucial that young people are well equipped with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. On this World Youth Skills Day (July 15), let’s unite in recognizing the potential of young people as catalysts for change and commit to providing them with the skills and opportunities they need to build a prosperous and sustainable world for all. Together, we can shape a brighter future in which no young person is left behind.

UNODA and the government of Japan's new learning programme is aimed at equipping the leaders of the future with the knowledge, skills, and network to join global efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons – the most dangerous weapons on earth.

This is an important conversation for everyone, but it is especially important for young people, who are the most likely to be exposed to misinformation and disinformation online

A group of young people at a rally with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Young people should be at the heart of decisions that impact their lives and health. WHO has therefore established the WHO Youth Council, a newly set up mechanism for meaningful engagement to provide direct advice to the Director-General. Its members consist of international youth organizations that will meet for the first time in Geneva on 27 January. The meeting will solidify the council’s working plans and structure. The Youth Council is a dynamic network that will amplify the voices and experiences of young people, and leverage their expertise, energy and ideas to promote public health.

A group photo of the Young Leaders from 2022

Every two years, this flagship initiative recognizes 17 young change-makers who are leading efforts to combat the world’s most pressing issues and whose leadership aims to achieve the SDGs.