1. Youth Flash
UN Home | UN DESA DSPD - Youth
April 2012
In this issue of Youth Flash, we continue to hear updates from the work of the Major Group on Children and Youth as they gear up
towards Rio+20:
Feature Articles;
Rio+20: Negotiating Our Way One Step Closer
Rio+20: An inclusive approach to sustainable development
News from UN offices
Youth in Action
Feature Article:
governance for sustainable development. He cited Franz Fanon
saying that, “each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it,
or betray it”. Overcoming the current global challenges and
Rocking the Road to Rio+20 setting in motion sustainable lifestyles is this generation’s
mission, and their involvement is crucial to fulfill it.
Participating in Rio+20 is one way for young people to get
involved.
International activities and negotiations for Rio+20 are in full
force. The Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) – the
official voice for young people in the UN sustainability
negotiations – has been actively involved. In this issue, we’ll tell
you about some of the international activities the MGCY has
been participating in, and how you can get involved in building
the youth voice for Rio+20.
Informal-Informals and Third Intersessional: New York
The first round of ‘informal-informal’ negotiations on the Zero
Draft of the Rio+20 outcome document was held from 19–23
March 2012, followed by the Third Intersessional from 24-26
March 2012 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The MGCY
was present at both of these events, actively lobbying for their
Rio+20: Negotiating Our Way One Step Closer policy points to be included in the negotiating text.
by the UN CSD Major Group on Children and Youth There is a growing frustration from civil society that the
outcome document is lacking prescriptive language, meaning
It’s hard to believe that we’re just two months away from Rio+20, there is little to commit governments to the provision of finance,
deemed the largest and most important UN conference on technology transfers and capacity building in support of
sustainable development in history. At the recent Youth 21 sustainable development efforts. There is a concern that human
Conference: Building for Change, former South African president rights are being watered down with some believing this is a
Thabo Mbeki spoke to youth about leadership and democratic systematic attempt from powerful states to ‘delete our rights and

2. Youth Flash Newsletter April 2012
bracket our future’ (Quintos, 2012). Government delegations argue globally chosen case studies will be published in a UNEP
that they do not want to reiterate what past documents have already publication that will be out prior to Rio+20! Share your solutions
made clear, and do not want to reference things that are currently or projects or stories with us and help us share what you are
being discussed in other forums. doing that works with the world! Take a few minutes to fill out
this form:http://bit.ly/GEOYouthEnvBestPractices
The thematic debate continues. Two months from Rio+20, the
green economy is still not fully conceptualised, nor is the You can also send us your photos by emailing
Institutional Framework on Sustainable Development. The motion geo5youth@gmail.com but please remember that they have to be
to have an Ombudsman for Future Generations – a position that the photos you have taken....and you are giving us permission to
MGCY fully supports – has been tabled because there is publish them by emailing them in.
uncertainty about who this person would be, what they would do,
and what UN office they would belong to. The role of UNEP Rio+20: An inclusive approach to sustainable
continues to be discussed, with talk of needing multilateral development
cooperation and strengthening of institutions.
By Olimar Maisonet-Guzmán on behalf of the Objectives
What does this all mean? Taskforce of the Major Group of Children and Youth
What all this means, essentially, is that civil society needs to up its This June, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
game. With a growing concern that Rio+20 will become another Development (UNCSD) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ineffective conference, marked by a voluntary approach to The conference is commonly known as Rio+20 because it
correcting the extreme challenges of the planet, civil society needs commemorates the 20-year anniversary of the 1992 Earth
to put more pressure on their governments to act differently. This Summit.
is where you can get involved.
A key component of the MGCY is inspiring and platforming youth
activism, so that global action embraces local perspectives, and
local perspectives are expanded with global understanding, in the
pursuit of sustainability. To do this, the MGCY has established a
series of ‘working groups’, which are different collections of
people who work according to their particular interest or skill.
Ranging from communications, to campaigns, to involving
children, and supporting the MGCY Youth Blast, the working
groups are aimed at connecting people together to help build the
youth voice for sustainability.
Act now. Fulfill your mission to implementing sustainability in our
lifetime. Get involved with the MGCY as we prepare for Rio+20.
We are always looking for ways to include more young people in
our activities, so if you have ideas or want to contribute in anyway,
Young people have been participating in the Rio+20 process as
please let us know.
part of the Major Group of Children and Youth (MGCY). For
us, Rio+20 is more than an environmental conference. Rio+20 is
For an overview of the MGCY contribution to the negotiating text
an opportunity to propose new paradigms for sustainable
visit: http://uncsdchildrenyouth.org/resources/our-documents/
development and to engage all stakeholders in future
development policies. We want to take this opportunity and
If you would like to get involved with the MGCY policy
remind everyone that Rio cannot be branded just as an
negotiations visit: http://uncsdchildrenyouth.org/get-involved/task-
“environmental conference”. Rio+20 will be about integrating
forces/
the three pillars of sustainable development: environment
protection, socio-political processes and economic development.
If you would like to get involved in the MGCY working groups
Consequently, all the pillars and actors must be equally involved
visit: http://uncsdchildrenyouth.org/get-involved/working-groups/
and invested in the outcome of the process.
Info Bite:
Rio+20 is indeed about sustainable development, which includes
The Global Environmental Outlook for Youth: “Tunza Acting
not only the environmental conservation and protection
for a Better World”.
component in development, but equally assesses national,
We are currently collecting best practices by young people
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3. Youth Flash Newsletter April 2012
regional and global economic and social progress. Additionally, United Nations Population Division
Rio+20 must guarantee that human rights, gender equity, access to
resource, and the wellbeing of future generations are protected in
this new paradigm of development Adolescents and youth central to population and
development issues
Rio +20 has been linked back to 1972 UN Conference on the
Human Environment as well as the 1992 Earth Summit, both of The forty-fifth session of the Commission on Population and
which had a much heavier focus on the environmental pillar. Development will discuss the theme of “Adolescents and youth”
Therefore, it is natural that many of the participating stakeholders, from 23-27 April 2012 in New York.
particularly those in the private sector, have kept away from
engaging in the process. There are over 1.8 billion young people aged 10 to 24 years
worldwide, the largest generation of adolescents and youth in
These are crucial times. Decisions made at Rio+20 will impact our history. The Commission on Population and Development will
future and that of future generations. In reality, investors, examine how trends in the size and structure of the youth
businesses, and other private sector actors have a large stake in population affect the investments in education, health, including
sustainable development. Additionally, the decisions made at sexual and reproductive health, and livelihoods that are
Rio+20 will also impact the way the function. We cannot afford essential for adolescents and youth to achieve their full potential
further fragmentation in the social movement toward Rio+20. We and contribute to sustainable and equitable development.
as Major Groups, have a responsibility to deliver a unified front at
Rio+20 to promote sustainable development policies and practices Participation in the Commission is open to NGOs that are
that will benefit our constituencies. This is the only way we can accredited with ECOSOC. The registration deadline is 6 April
guarantee that Rio+20 will deliver the future that we want. 2012.
More information on NGO participation is available at:
News from UN offices http://www.un.org/esa/population/cpd/ngopart_45.htm
General information is available at:
ECOSOC Youth Conference - 4 May http://www.un.org/esa/population/cpd/cpd2012/cpd45.htm.
“Creating a Sustainable Future:
Empowering Youth with Better Job FAO
Opportunities”
FAO has launched the pilot testing of the new Water Challenge
Young people continue to be the hardest hit by the jobs crisis. In badge for 5 to 20 year olds, the resource is intended to help raise
both developed and developing countries, youth unemployment awareness, educate, and encourage individual to take action in
and underemployment rates have reached alarming levels. In July their local communities on water related issues. If your group is
this year, ECOSOC will address the challenge of increasing interested in being involved in the pilot testing please contact
productive capacity and promoting employment and decent work. yunga@fao.org
In preparation, on 4 May, The UN Department of Public
Information and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs UNODC
will organize a youth conference on “Creating a Sustainable
Future: Empowering Youth with Better Job Opportunities”, which
The UNODC Youth Initiative was officially launched during the
will be attended by youth representatives from diverse
55th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), organised 12-16
backgrounds. The primary target audience is young men and
March 2012, to engage and empower young people to reflect on
women (15 – 32 years old). Representatives of the private sector,
the effects of substance use in their schools and communities
the academic community, and civil society engaged in youth issues
and to start taking action against it. The Initiative is connecting
will be invited to participate.
youth globally through social media to discuss, inspire, and learn
from each other on the ways of promoting healthy lifestyles and
This event will be open to NGO representatives with valid access
start creating activities mobilising their peers, families, schools,
passes only. No event passes will be issued for this half-day event.
and communities. A small number of young people participating
For information contact simonp@un.org. See background note
in the initiative in 5 different continents were also invited to
below for additional information on the event.
attend the CND to present their views regarding the substance
More information: http://csonet.org/content/documents/4May.pdf
abuse and its prevention, and to learn about international drug
policies.
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4. Youth Flash Newsletter April 2012
Check out the Youth Initiative website: www.unodc.org/youth Nairobi at the weekend with the release of the Nairobi
Join the movement on Facebook: Statement, a roadmap for the greater inclusion of youth in the
www.facebook.com/pages/Youth- UN system.
Initiative/205542506204854?sk=wall
The Nairobi Statement follows up on the UN Secretary General
World Bank Ban Ki-Moon's commitment to supporting youth empowerment
globally through the appointment of a Special Advisor on Youth.
The Statement commends the Secretary General on his
Measuring Success of Youth Livelihood commitment to youth and appointment of the Special Advisor.
Interventions
The Statement outlines a series of recommendations that seeks
The importance of providing young people with jobs and economic to assure that the Special Advisor has the mandate to fully
opportunities is at the forefront of the development debate. engage youth globally, requesting that the Special Advisor be a
Unfortunately, very little is known about the quality or impact of young person who is able to mainstream youth in decision
youth livelihood interventions because very few programs have making across the system.
been carefully evaluated, especially in developing countries. In
order to help practitioners learn from their projects and contribute The Nairobi Declaration requests that the Secretary General goes
to building the evidence base on youth employment, this Guide further in engaging youth through establishing a UN Permanent
offers an accessible introduction to the topic of monitoring and Forum on Youth. The recommendation includes a suggestion
evaluation and to its practical application in the youth livelihood that the Forum be constituted by different stakeholders
field. The Guide helps decide what type of evaluation is including representatives of youth organizations globally, and
appropriate given the characteristics and context of an intervention would be tasked to work with the Special Advisor on assuring
and provides the basic set of concepts and tools to carry out impact that the voices of youth, especially those most marginalized and
evaluations. vulnerable, be heard.
To download the publication visit: http://gpye.org/measuring- Ms. Serverine Macedo, the Brazilian National Youth Secretary
success-youth-livelihood-interventions read a joint statement from the Governments of Brazil and
Norway, a statement supported by the Governments of Benin,
Global Partnership for Youth Employment Mexico and Sri Lanka, supporting the Nairobi Statement, and
celebrates 3rd birthday the appointment of the Special Advisor and the creation of a
Permanent Forum on Youth.
Since its inception in late 2008, the World Bank’s Global
Partnership for Youth Employment has made important progress in Ms. Macedo emphasized the strategic importance of
generating new knowledge about youth employment outcomes and empowering youth, who now number 3 billion globally, and
in bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to work together their need to be engaged as leaders to bring about sustainable
and learn from each other. For the future, the partnership intends to development for the overcoming of poverty and also for social,
further strengthen youth employment stakeholders across the globe economic, cultural and political inclusion.
and incubate new initiatives to benefit the international community The Nairobi meeting is the first of its kind, and was co-organised
at large. by UN-Habitat and UNDP in the spirit of one UN
http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=11021&catid=5&type
For more information visit: id=6&subMenuId=0
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTSO
CIALPROTECTION/EXTLM/0,,contentMDK:23116965~menuP
K:8440995~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:390615,00. UNFPA
html
and On the occasion of the 45th Session of the Commission on
www.gpye.org Population and Development on the theme "Adolescents and
Youth", the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is
hosting a consultation with young people to seek inputs into its
UN HABITAT new strategy on adolescents and youth. The consultation will
take place at UNFPA Headquarters from 4pm-6pm on Sunday
A historic four day global meeting, called "Youth 21 – Building for 22 April. UNFPA will host a high-level interactive side-event
Change", and bringing together over 250 youth with governments, on young people's access to sexual and reproductive
UN agencies, researchers, private sector and civil society closed in health on 23 April from 1pm-2pm. UNFPA will also co-host a
side event on advancing HIV prevention among young people
www.un.org/youth 4

5. Youth Flash Newsletter April 2012
with UNAIDS, UNWOMEN and the Global Coalition on Women initiative as key partners with mobilizes global youth for The
and AIDS on 25 April from 6pm-8pm. For more details, write to Future We Want!
youth@unfpa.org.
For information contact: Jean Paul Brice Affana, the Global
Youth in Action Coordinator at jeanpaul@glocha.info,
Outreach and Communication
Anam Gill, the
Coordinator at
anamgill@glocha.info as well as Miroslav Polzer, the
Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest: Secretary-general of IAAI and Rio+20 Issues Cluster
“Innovation” at polzer@glocha.info. Visit their websites at
voting has started! www.glocha.info and http://www.global-rockstar.net.
The online voting of the Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest “Let the music talk, let the rhythm play and let the world
has now started at www.global-rockstar.net and everyone is invited know what the youth have to say!”
to watch at least five music videos and vote for the favorites. The
contest organized on the occasion of the Rio+20 United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development was launched in Peace Child International:
September 2011 by the International Association for the Education hub for Rio+20
Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges
(IAAI - www.glocha.info) after an International Workshop
Education & Awareness-raising for Rio+20:
(http://www.glocha.info/images/stories/rio/press%20release.pdf)
The Education Hub for the UN’s Rio+20 Summit
that brought together more than 30 youth from all around the world
(http://rioplus20education.info) brings together everything Peace
who designed the contest guidelines. An active group of 100 and
Child has ever published on the Rio Earth Summit Process –
plus youth has been working hard as Regional and National
from our Children’s Edition of Agenda 21: Rescue Mission :
Coordinators and committed to ensure its success around 50
Planet Earth, to our Johannesburg update: Rescue 2002, our
countries. More than 250 videos from 40 countries were
Copenhagen briefing: Energy Revolution – to the 6 new
received from children up to 14 years and youth up to 30 years.
Education Booklets on Sustainable Human Development
The competition gives children and youth from around the world a
prepared for Rio+20, loosely based on the UN Human
voice in Rio+20 and has encouraged them to express their hopes,
Development Reports and the UNEP Green Economy briefing.
concerns and thoughts on future of our earth by using music.
All these are created by young people for young people – based
Winners will be selected through an online voting in the children
on original UN documents, almost all of which are featured on
and youth category and will be awarded a trip to Rio+20 and an
the Background section of the site.
opportunity to perform there at one of the big events there. The
contest now encourages everyone to listen to these messages of Our goal is to get every school on the planet to teach their
global youth, hear what they have to say, learn from them, express students about the crucial issues addressed by Rio+20: the
appreciation by voting for the most inspiring videos and join the website Home page starts with seven jargon-free slides that
youth efforts towards making Rio+20 conference a big success. summarise some of the Rio+20 issues, linked to posters
The phase of spreading the message to those preparing Rio+20 outlining some solutions. It goes on to propose ideas for Action:
Conference and to the general global public has been launched so
that people show appreciation for this wonderful collaborative 1. The UNESCO-supported ‘My City+20’ – Model Rio Earth
effort of global youth energizing Rio+20. Summit idea;
2. A DAY OF ACTION AND LEARNING for Rio+20.
One of the key contribution of the contest to the Rio+20 3. A ‘Do it yourself Green Economy Transition Plan’ – for your
conference is to work towards a ‘global citizen participation’ and self – your household – your community – and your Nation.
‘resource mobilization’ aspect of designing at Rio+20 a United
Nations led global innovation system for sustainable The site also links to the UN’s Rio+20 sites and its Global
development. Therefore the contest team has been working hard to Conversation Campaign: The Future We Want. It will, we hope
ensure the availability of an Issues Cluster on Innovation which – through the Add section – link to many other great initiatives
proposes a ‘15/15/15 UN Civil Society Resource Mobilization for action and awareness-raising. Like your’s! Please share your
Partnership Formula’ saying that global civil society on the one ideas with me, or Simon Howlett, the young webmaster who
hand commits at Rio+20 to mobilize 15 billion Euros and 15 created the site, at: rio@peacechild.org
million volunteers by the year 2015 for UN led sustainable
development efforts and on the other hand requests new forms of Peace Child International has worked continuously on the Rio
participation in global sustainable development governance. Earth Summit Agenda since 1992. For us, the road does not end
Many youth and international partners are supporting the contest in Rio: it begins again in Rio this June – and continues for the
and the number is increasing. More are welcome to join this rest of our lives, seeking – struggling – committing – innovating
www.un.org/youth 5

6. Youth Flash Newsletter April 2012
– and energizing our communities and nations for attending an International Symposium is often the most powerful
SUSTAINABILITY. It is truly our generational challenge: and we way of learning.
hope this site will help us all rise to it. Humanitarian Affairs United Kingdom is a member of the
World Association of Non-Governmental Organisation and the
For more information contact: David R. Woollcombe World Alliance for Citizens Participation. It initiates and
david@peacechild.org supports humanitarian reliefs efforts and development programs
in countries that are poverty stricken and disaster-prone. All
their programmes are supported by the United Nations.
12th Melaka International Youth
Dialogue If you are a young person and would like to play a role as a
Global Citizen; then this is the event not to be missed. Those
The 12th Melaka International Youth Dialogue (MIYD) entitled working in the NGOs; Government Departments; National
‘HEALTH IT’S MY RIGHT’ is due to be held from 28th to 30th Youth Council are strongly encourage to attend this yearly
June 2012 in Melaka, Malaysia. The MIYD is organized by WAY event. More information of the Symposium can be obtained
in collaboration with the Melaka State Government, Malaysian from the event's website at : www.universityscholars.org.uk
Youth Council, Asian Youth Council and Ministry of Youth and
Sports, Malaysia. We provide young people with opportunities to engage in
humanitarian service, strengthen their awareness of diverse
The theme ‘Health, it’s My Right!’ is recognized to fulfill the cultures, and develop a lifelong commitment to helping others
predominant opinions of young people hence an interactive by participating in relief efforts to benefit impoverished
discussion on this topic will be of significance to form, educate, communities in poverty-stricken countries.
increase awareness and promote gender equality in the different
levels of society that we represent.
As this is an open invitation, we kindly request for you to share
and disseminate this information amongst your networks and other
interested persons. Kindly find attached necessary information and
other documentation for your perusal.
MIYD Organizing Committee:
Email miyd@way.org.my
Website: www.way.org.my
The 3rd University Scholars
Leadership Symposium
The 3rd University Scholars Leadership Symposium will take
place in Bali, Indonesia from August 1 to 7, 2012.
The event will see a culmination of 500 young people from
Leading Universities of the World discussing on issues pertaining
to poverty reduction, sustainable development, leadership and
humanitarian work.
The Bali Symposium aims to draw attention of young people to
take proactive action to contribute to the achievement for a
sustainable future, which is consonance with the United Nations
Millennium Developmental Goals. Succinctly, it expects to break
down the barriers between nations and create strong linkages
among young people.
Formal Education enables us to perform effectively in academic
and working realm. However, the acquisition of knowledge by
www.un.org/youth 6