“Don’t decide our future without us!” young people from around world to tell leaders at European Development Days
“Don’t decide our future without us!” That’s the call from young people from around the world, who on Wednesday, 3rd June will participate in a high level panel at the European Development Days called Millennium Youth. At the event they willtell world leaders that if the post-2015 agenda is to succeed, children and youth must be involved in its implementation.
Eleven young people born at the turn of the millennium – including World Vision representatives from Zambia, Lebanon and Brazil – will bring their grassroots experiences to discuss the critical issue of young people’s participation in the post-2015 framework, which will replace the Millennium Development Goals. The panel is organised by World Vision and SOS Children’s Villages, in collaboration with the European Youth Forum.
High level speakers at Millennium Youth include the Prime Minister of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma; the UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi; and the European Parliament’s Chair of the Development Committee, Linda McAvan.
The panel discussion will focus on young people’s priorities for the post-2015 goals, and will explore why their contribution, now and in the future, is critical to the implementation of the new development framework.
“I am proud to be here to learn, as well as tell others why all young people must be allowed to be actively involved in accomplishing the post-2015 goals. After all, it’s people like me who will inherit the post-2015 world,” says 14-year-old Maruba from Zambia – one of the delegates to participate in the high level panel.
World Vision, along with Restless Development and DSW, is also involved in an event on Thursday, 4 June called Accountability Advocates. This event will focus on the important role children and youth can play in holding decision makers accountable for implementing the post-2015 agenda.
"It’s a common misconception that children and young people lack the competence and experience required to participate in accountability processes,” says World Vision Brussel’s Director of Advocacy, Deirdre de Burca. “Our experience at World Vision shows us nothing could be further from the truth. Children and youth are the experts where their own lives and interests are concerned.
“Their meaningful participation in development enhances accountability and transparency, which in turn lays the foundations of sustainability. A new post-2015 framework will only be effective if it is accountable to the world’s most vulnerable – children and young people" says de Burca.
On Wednesday, 3 June, the World Vision event Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience, Climate Change Adaptation: Connecting the Dots will explore the increasing vulnerability of children to climate change, and what can be done to mitigate risk.
The European Development Days, taking place in Brussels on 3-4 June, is Europe’s leading forum on international affairs and development cooperation.
ENDS
What: Millennium youth: Young People Engaging in the Sustainable Development Agenda 2015-2030
When: Wednesday, 3 June, 09:15-10:45
Where: Tour & Taxi, Auditorium Room A3
What: Disaster risk reduction, resilience, climate change adaptation: Connecting the dots (When:
When: Wednesday, 3 June, 18.00-19.15
Where: Tour & Taxi, Debate Room D3
What: Accountability Advocates: Youth Voices at the Heart of Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals
When: Thursday, 4 June, 16:00-17:15
Where: Tour & Taxi, brainstorming Room B1
Follow @WorldVisionEU for updates from the European Development Days
NOTES:
For more information please contact Ludovic Wahis, Policy and Communications Officer, World Vision Brussels & EU Representation, +32 (0) 472 50 68 72, Ludovic_Wahis@wvi.org
Download the World Vision report Grassroots to Global: Seven Steps to Citizen-Driven Accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals