On February 1-2 of 2016, we participated in the ECOSOC Youth Forum as Ukrainian youth delegates.
It is an annual event held since 2012 that brings young leaders from around the world together to engage in dialogue with Member States and contribute to policy formulation on global economic, social and environmental issues. This year, the Forum was held under the topic of “Youth Taking Action to Implement the 2030 Agenda”.
The two-day forum began with a formal plenary opening. Oh Joon, President of ECOSOC and Ahmad Alhendawi, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Youth, spoke on the importance of youth engagement for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Youth ministers from all over the world boasted their national youth policy progress and pledged commitment to investing in youth, bringing youth to negotiating table and supporing their civil initiatives.
Vivid brainstorming sessions followed – youth representatives and youth experts split up in eight groups to exchange thoughts on concrete topics of youth interest, share their experiences in promoting youth participation and development in their countries and develop solutions. The statements produced during the themed brainstorming sessions were presented at the closing plenary session.
Our youth delegation took an active part in the brainstorming sessions on education, peaceful and inclusive societies and youth employment and entrepreneurship opportunities – along with other UN youth delegates, representatives of NGOs, youth organizations such as European Youth Forum and American youth.
Ihor Zhdanov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine delivered a statement during the Forum, presenting the newly-adopted state program “Youth of Ukraine 2016-2020” and highlighting its alignment with the UN youth agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.