The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum recently took place from 16-18 April 2024. This forum succeeded in bringing together young people from all over the world. Stepping into the space myself was an experience like no other. Seeing the diverse attendees—dressed in their cultural attire and speaking different languages—was truly inspiring. It felt like exactly where I needed to be.
The sessions I attended opened my eyes to the various, distinct challenges youth face at local, regional, and national levels. But as a group, we all resonated with common problems like climate change, discrimination, economic instability, and conflict in our communities.
Meeting María José Flores, a social worker from Guatemala specializing in Development Management and a member of UNFPA Guatemala’s Youth Advisory Group was a highlight of the event. She expressed,
“The forum provided young women with a vital platform for inclusion in shaping agendas and policies aligned with the SDGs, addressing a critical barrier faced by many in their home countries, where governments often overlooked the voices of youth, especially young women.”
The forum’s hybrid format brought a heightened commitment to progress and the Sustainable Development Goals. It reminded us of the crucial role the United Nations plays in bringing people together around Our Common Agenda.
During formal sessions and informal chats, we built a sense of community. We came up with key takeaways concerning community organizing, political advocacy, and educational resources to guide our actions, not only back in our local communities, but within the global community we are all a part of as well.
Christina Williams, Head of Advocacy and Partnerships for the Commonwealth Students Association, said it well:
We need to make space for other young people to join us. This was particularly relevant at the ECOSOC Youth Forum for those who couldn’t participate due to access issues. Moving forward, it is a principle we should live by every day—inviting fellow youth to opportunities whenever possible.
To drive real progress, we need intergenerational coalitions of changemakers who care about our planet, people, and prosperity. This requires empathy for each individual's journey. Understanding these unique experiences is crucial for creating an environment where we can effectively tackle the crises affecting us all.
Through these compassionate interactions, we can build a stronger community. The sentiments echoed by youth participants at the forum resonated globally—a call for meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes at all levels of governance and society. The Open Letter offered during the ECOSOC Youth Forum was a great example of fostering such engagement, with youth input informing the upcoming Summit of the Future.
To my fellow youth, I encourage you to stay committed to positive change and to keep seeking out community, with urgency and compassion.
Below, I gathered some resources from the forum. While not exhaustive, I hope they are useful in our ongoing efforts.
Multimedia Recap
UN Youth Office: ECOSOC Highlights
UN Programme on Youth: Event Recap
UN DESA: It’s Time to Let #YouthLead Session
UN DESA: Young people: world shapers and leaders of the future
UN ESCAP: Event Promotion
Campaigns
Act Now: Speak Up for Our Common Future
SDG Action Campaign: Unite to Act
Human Rights Education: Changemakers: Stories of Young Human Rights Educators
Sightsavers: Voices
Resources
UNDP: How Digital is Transforming the Lives of Young People in Small Island Developing States
UNDP: 6 steps to ensure young people can participate in climate policy on equal terms
UNFPA: What works to amplify the rights and voices of youth in peace and resilience building?
Opportunities
Joint SDG Fund: Youth Network
Women Deliver: Emerging Leaders for Change Program
UN Office of Information and Communications Technology: Reboot the Earth
UNEP: Champions of the Earth
