The event discussed challenges and opportunities to enhance meaningful youth participation in policymaking. It was held with the support of the Global Environment Outreach Center (GEOC).
In opening remarks, Akio Takemoto (Head of Programme and Administration, UNU-IAS) stressed the need to expand and strengthen youth engagement in decision making processes to achieve the global goals.
Jyuri Michino (Programme Assistant, UNU-IAS) introduced UNU-IAS projects that actively involve youth: the global network of Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs) and the Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research Network (ProSPER.Net).
Youth group representatives highlighted challenges facing youth-led initiatives such as securing financial resources, recruiting members, and building sustainable partnerships with other organisations. They emphasised the need to close knowledge gaps through education and awareness raising.
Panellists shared various initiatives aimed at boosting youth engagement such as the new UNU-IAS postgraduate degree specialisation on the Paris Agreement, the SDGs programme of the xSDG Laboratory at Keio University, and efforts to highlight youth participation around the Sixth Basic Environmental Plan of Japan. To ensure that youth are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to actively participate in policymaking, it is necessary to collaborate with the private sector and academic institutions.
In closing, Yurika Morii (Chief Secretariat of Policy Proposal Department, Japan Youth Platform for Sustainability) introduced an event on youth participation at the SDGs Summit in New York, and encouraged enhanced collaboration to accelerate efforts towards achieving the global goals.
