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Every day, young people\u00a0are\u00a0enriching institutions and processes\u00a0at the local,\u00a0national,\u00a0and\u00a0global levels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year, the\u00a0theme of International Youth Day is “Youth Engagement for Global Action<\/a>.”\u00a0It The theme of the day\u00a0raises\u00a0three questions:\u00a0<\/p>\n What is meaningful youth engagement?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n What are the benefits and challenges of meaningful youth engagement?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n How does\u00a0WHO strive to\u00a0practice meaningful youth engagement in its work?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Meaningful youth engagement, as defined by the\u00a02018 Global Consensus Statement<\/a>, is an inclusive, Young people\u2019s ideas, perspectives, skills, and strengths are integrated into the design and delivery of programs, strategies, policies, funding mechanisms\u00a0–\u00a0and organizations that affect their lives and their communities, countries, and Meaningful youth engagement ensures that young people are equal and valuable partners \u2013 not only beneficiaries \u2013 in efforts to improve their health and wellbeing. It increases the likelihood that policies and\u00a0programmes\u00a0will Although global rhetoric increasingly acknowledges the value of meaningful youth engagement, it often remains\u00a0more of an aspiration than a reality<\/a>. There is still considerable resistance to giving young people a place at the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n When young people are given opportunities to contribute, it is most often older, urban, educated, and well-connected young people that are selected.\u00a0Their engagement is often tokenistic and their responsibilities small,\u00a0for instance\u00a0leading This must not be the case. Meaningful youth engagement\u00a0is central to the success of policies and\u00a0programmes\u00a0aimed at improving young people\u2019s health and\u00a0wellbeing, and\u00a0can\u00a0provide\u00a0young people\u00a0with opportunities The WHO Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research and the Human Reproduction\u00a0Programme\u00a0(HRP)\u00a0strive to apply the principles of meaningful youth engagement,\u00a0as defined in the Global Consensus Statement,\u00a0particularly\u00a0with\u00a0work For example, it put meaningful youth engagement into practice with the WHO and UNFPA-led\u00a0supplement of the\u00a0Journal of Adolescent Health<\/em><\/a>. This supplement\u00a0takes\u00a0stock of progress made in ASRHR in
\n highlights the importance and value of young people\u2019s contributions\u00a0and\u00a0draws\u00a0lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
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What is meaningful youth engagement?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\n intentional, mutually-respectful partnership between young people and adults.\u00a0\u00a0Power is shared\u00a0and\u00a0respective contributions are valued.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n world.\u00a0<\/p>\nWhat are the benefits and challenges of meaningful youth engagement?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\n be acceptable, appropriate, and responsive to their needs and preferences.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n energizer activities at conferences, taking notes during meetings, or formatting references in reports). Additionally, young people\u2019s contributions are rarely measured effectively to demonstrate their value,\u00a0and\u00a0their\u00a0contributions\u00a0are
\n often not appropriately acknowledged, either with authorship or compensation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n to develop skillsets\u00a0they will need as\u00a0the next generation of leaders.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nHow does the WHO strive to practice meaningful youth engagement in its work?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\n on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n the 25 years since the International Conference on Population and Development\u00a0and sets\u00a0out priorities for the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n