Creating a Sustainable Future: Empowering Youth with Better Job Opportunities

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) hosted its first Youth Forum under the theme, “Creating a Sustainable Future: Empowering Youth with Better Job Opportunities” on 4 May, 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters. The Forum was jointly organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Department of Public Information (UNDPI). The Forum was attended by youth representatives from around the world as well as Member States, the academic community, and civil society organizations that are engaged on youth issues. The Forum provided a platform for young people to voice their needs and concerns in an informal dialogue format. The main objectives of the Forum were to: (i) engage young people to explore solutions for creating a sustainable future; (ii) propose concrete actions to effectively address youth employment issues within the context of current global economic and financial situation; (iii) enhance the visibility and voice of young people in decision making on issues that affect them; and (iv) exchange best practices from various countries and regions. The Youth Forum was convened as a part of the preparatory process for the high-level segment of the ECOSOC to be held in New York In July 2012 which will address the challenge of increasing productive capacity, while promoting employment and decent work. Key messages and recommendations arising from the Forum were presented at the opening session of the ECOSOC High-Level Segment in July 2012, as well as at the Rio+20 Conference in June 2012.