UN Youth Delegate

Alexandra si Bogdan au avut in data de 7 februarie 2009 o interventie in cadrul Comisiei pentru Dezvoltare Sociala pe care dorim sa o impartasim cu voi. Acest discurs reprezinta contributia comuna a numerosi sustinatori si parteneri ai proiectului cu care acestia au avut consultari in prealabil.

“Madam Chair and honorable Delegates, 

200 million youth live with less than 1$/ day, of the 130 million illiterate people in the world nearly 60 per cent are young women; youth also make up 44 per cent of the total unemployed population, although they represent 25 per cent of the working age population and I cannot be but grateful to have the opportunity to be here and to present an overview of our ideals, honest thoughts and proposals for joining our efforts in building up a better world.The progress achieved so far has a main role in our development process, yet the fight is far to be concluded. Taking into account the present global perspectives young people face new challenges and it is our moral obligation to cooperate, especially now when youth are voicing their concerns whilst they keep facing new risks.Social inclusion, equal rights and opportunities for everyone are no less than links in the chain of sustainable development without which the circle cannot be completed. Young people are now actively and enthusiastically playing the role of the main engine for development. We are the base of the pyramid of social development and we proudly accept this position with great responsibility, but in order to meet our full potential and fulfill our responsibility we need that all youth are given an equal chance to take part in the process. Young women and girls, young people in the rural areas and all other categories that are now isolated or prevented from participating in any form to the decision making processes or to enjoy the opportunities offered by our society, they must be included and society must take full advantage their potential.     “The World Program of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and beyond” is the tool for setting out goals and targets aimed to achieving an international agreement on youth and their sustainable development. The major 3 clusters represent areas where urgent action is needed. With this tool at hand and with the support of the United Nations system, member states have now the opportunity to develop and explore the full potential of world’s youth.The international efforts to advance social integration of youth have largely expanded, but the risk factors for social exclusion of this age segment still call for policies aimed to combating discrimination, marginalization or other forms of exclusion.Madam Chair,In the present stage of globalization I would like to point out the urgent need for action in these main fields under the generous scope of “a society for all” concept.Greater levels of economic insecurity as well as levels of inequality can generate disasters for young people, also leading to delinquency, illiteracy and some of the worst forms of violence. We need to decrease the level of unemployment and underemployment, and ensure a decent work for all. Deliver social dialogue and sustainable social programs for youth, in the context of a better social integration, should be seen as a must.The situation is gradually improving, but we still have to pay attention to the differences between urban and rural areas, where young people face major difficulties in attending schools or finding appropriate jobs. The uneven economic growth, inadequate infrastructure and retrograde mentalities are all components of a greater exclusion of youth. Among other essential points related to social integration, we proposed goals for all chapters and we seek to maintain them accountable and measurable for having the possibility to mainstream the role of youth in the decision making, in shaping policies and actively participating in the life of communities at all levels: local, regional, national and international.