กรุงเทพฯ--3 พ.ย.--ESCAP
More than 80 million young people of working age inthe Asia-Pacific region are unemployed and in several countries youth areas much as seven times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Lacking
sufficient economic and social opportunities, many of them are forced intohigh-risk and vulnerable forms of employment, while others have given up onthe job search altogether.
Recognizing these challenges, the United Nations brought 300 participantsfrom all sectors of society and from over 40 nations together for a forumin Bangkok this week to enhance knowledge and strategies with regard toyouth participation in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and to form
cross-regional and cross-cultural youth service networks in the region.
The ‘Asia-Pacific Forum on Youth Volunteerism to Promote Participation,Development and Peace’ was organized by the Economic and Social Commissionfor Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with UNESCO, the GlobalPeace Foundation (GPF) and the Global Young Leaders Academy.
Among the participants were representatives of government agencies dealingwith youth issues, civil society, development partners and the privatesector, who engaged in lively debates and discussions on enhancingpartnerships in the sectors of environment, health, disaster response,peace and development, entrepreneurship and education.
Following these discussions, participants established the Asia-PacificPeace Service Alliance, a group of partnerships made up of young peopleacross the region committed to serving their communities throughvolunteerism.
The Forum also recommended multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships inthe Alliance, as well as joint actions by partnering youth agencies ofASEAN, the Peace Corps, the Korean International Cooperation Agency(KOICA), FK Norway and those from Australia Singapore and other countries.
“Today we celebrate young people, while reaffirming our commitment to abetter future for them and our future generations,” said Under-SecretaryGeneral and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar during heropening remarks.
“Without youth playing an active role in the development process, we cannotprogress or build the future we want,” said Dr. Akhtar. “Tapping youthpotential is critical to shape our shared destiny, as they are a source ofnew ideas, talent and inspiration. Harnessing youth energy, enthusiasm andexpertise is vital for global and regional productivity and prosperity. ForESCAP and the United Nations, a dynamic youth agenda is vital to ensure thesuccess of post-2015 sustainable development.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, former ASEAN Secretary-Generaladded: “We are pleased to launch the Asia-Pacific Peace Service Alliance ofmultilateral partners that will put youth at the forefront of developmentand peace. Let us commit our youth to a useful cause for humanity.”
Mr. Ingill Ra, partnerships coordinator for GPF, also stated that theAlliance, will “engage the community of youth in the region to takedecisive action through partnerships that harness their full potential topromote sustainable development and peace.”
A post-forum report will be prepared by ESCAP and the co-conveners tosummarize best practices, key findings, outcomes and recommendations toguide the further development of youth volunteerism across the region.
For further information, contact:
Ms. Katie Elles, Public Information Officer, Strategic Communications andAdvocacy Section, ESCAP, T: (66) 2 288 1865 / M: (66) 9481 525 36 / E:
[email protected]
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