Half of the world’s population is under 24 years old, and these young people face multiple sexual and reproductive health challenges, including high rates of unintended pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and maternal mortality and morbidity. Ensuring that young people’s reproductive health needs and human rights are met has never been more critical.
If we are to achieve lasting change in the health and lives of young people, we must engage young people themselves in development decisions. Young people’s contributions can enrich and inform policies, programs, and donor decisions. In December, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum, youth participants will gather in Bali, Indonesia to address the lack of youth voices in the mainstream development debate.
FHI 360, on behalf of USAID’s Interagency Youth Working Group and in collaboration with the Youth Health and Rights Coalition, is hosting an online forum, The Road to Bali: Engaging Young People in Meaningful Ways, November 14?15, 2012. Join moderators from USAID, UNFPA, GYF and others in a discussion about how best to ensure that young people’s voices and needs are included in international policy, programs, donor decision-making processes and civil society consultations.
Starting November 8, you can submit questions and comments. The forum itself will begin at 9 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Wednesday November 14 (when previously submitted questions and comments will be posted and answered) and end at 5 PM EST on Thursday, November 15.
Click here to go to the discussion page.
In December, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum (GYF), youth participants will gather in Bali, Indonesia to address the lack of youth voices in the mainstream development debate. During this forum, young people will agree on global recommendations for action on five crucial issues:
- Staying healthy
- Comprehensive education
- Transitions to decent employment for youth
- Sexuality, families and rights
- Fully inclusive civic participation
For more information click here.
