Building Youth Leadership Building Youth Leadership

to achieve the United Nations to achieve the United Nations

Millennium Development Goals Millennium Development Goals

Bremley W. B. LyngdohBremley W. B. Lyngdoh

CoCo--Founder and DirectorFounder and Director

Global Youth Action �etworkGlobal Youth Action �etwork

International Youth Professionals SummitInternational Youth Professionals Summit

Manchester UK from 19th Manchester UK from 19th -- 23rd August 200823rd August 2008

IntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

The Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) is a growing collaboration among youth and youth organizations that are committed to uniting their efforts to improve our world. With nine hundred organizational members and thousands of active partnerships in almost 200 countries andterritories, the Network is working to promote greater collaboration, to improve youth civic engagement and participation in decision-making, and to provide support and recognition to young people who take positive action to improve their communities.

GYAN and TakingITGlobal have partnered to create the most dynamic and resourceful community on the Internet of young social leaders and youth organizations. GYAN is affiliated to the United Nations Department of Public Information, and holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. GYAN has endorse theprinciples of the Earth Charter and it is now promoting is worldwide through its partner organizations.

Building the Youth VoiceBuilding the Youth Voice

� Helped ensure the largest participation of official youth delegates to the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and continuing to play an active role in facilitating youth participation in all United Nations processes, such as the Commission on Sustainable Development andthe Annual NGO-DPI Conference

� Helped to establish Youth Advisory Councils for CONGO (Committeeof NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations), the United Nations Population Fund and assisted the World Bank with youth consultations

� Worked with governments to ensure strong youth participation in policy-formation in Brazil, Jordan and Ghana

� Worked with NextNext Entertainment on developing a strategy for Chat the Planet TV

� Coordinated the development of the 2005 report “Youth & the MDGs: Challenges & Opportunities for Implementation”

� Helped ensure the largest participation of official youth delegates to the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and continuing to play an active role in facilitating youth participation in all United Nations processes, such as the Commission on Sustainable Development andthe Annual NGO-DPI Conference

� Helped to establish Youth Advisory Councils for CONGO (Committeeof NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations), the United Nations Population Fund and assisted the World Bank with youth consultations

� Worked with governments to ensure strong youth participation in policy-formation in Brazil, Jordan and Ghana

� Worked with NextNext Entertainment on developing a strategy for Chat the Planet TV

� Coordinated the development of the 2005 report “Youth & the MDGs: Challenges & Opportunities for Implementation”

Youth Action and RecognitionYouth Action and RecognitionYouth Action and Recognition

� Launched and coordinated Global Youth Service Day in partnershipwith Youth Service America. It is the world’s largest celebration of young volunteers, with more than 1 million participants in 175 countries outside the USA

� Published an MDG Youth Campaign Kit in collaboration with the United Nations Millennium Campaign & TakingITGlobal

� Distributed $30,000 plus in Global Youth In Action Awards to youth-led projects that improved local communities

� Worked to highlight positive youth contributions by providing the media (Channel Thirteen/PBS, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Time for Kids, Stone Soup and others) with inspiring stories for broad dissemination, also getting additional coverage of these stories in dozens of books and other publications

� Launched and coordinated Global Youth Service Day in partnershipwith Youth Service America. It is the world’s largest celebration of young volunteers, with more than 1 million participants in 175 countries outside the USA

� Published an MDG Youth Campaign Kit in collaboration with the United Nations Millennium Campaign & TakingITGlobal

� Distributed $30,000 plus in Global Youth In Action Awards to youth-led projects that improved local communities

� Worked to highlight positive youth contributions by providing the media (Channel Thirteen/PBS, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Time for Kids, Stone Soup and others) with inspiring stories for broad dissemination, also getting additional coverage of these stories in dozens of books and other publications

Resources and CommunityResources and CommunityResources and Community

� Helped to create, in partnership with TakingITGlobal, the most popular clearinghouse of information and resources for youth on the net, listing organizations, events and much more

� Worked with grant-makers such as Artemisia Foundation and Youth Service America, AOL Time Warner and the United Nations Foundation to distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to youth organizations working on issues like volunteerism, economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives that create furtheropportunities for youth

� Organized meetings on collaboration with like-minded organizations, including the World Social Forum, Earth Action, and InstitutoCidadania, among others

� Supported the launch and currently act as coordinating Secretariat for the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS

� Helped to create, in partnership with TakingITGlobal, the most popular clearinghouse of information and resources for youth on the net, listing organizations, events and much more

� Worked with grant-makers such as Artemisia Foundation and Youth Service America, AOL Time Warner and the United Nations Foundation to distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to youth organizations working on issues like volunteerism, economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives that create furtheropportunities for youth

� Organized meetings on collaboration with like-minded organizations, including the World Social Forum, Earth Action, and InstitutoCidadania, among others

� Supported the launch and currently act as coordinating Secretariat for the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS

The United Nations Millennium SummitThe United Nations Millennium SummitThe United Nations Millennium Summit

In September 2000, the Presidents, Prime Ministers and royalty of the

world gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York, and

pledged to achieve significant progress in eight major priority areas by

the year 2015.

These United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) address

many of the world’s most pressing challenges, and provide an

ambitious framework through which countries are now approaching

development.

As GYAN’s Co-Founder and as the official Indian Youth Representative

on my country’s parliamentary delegation, I had the chance to address

the U.N. Millennium Assembly and I called upon world leaders to support

the YES Campaign and create sustainable livelihoods for youth.

In September 2000, the Presidents, Prime Ministers and royalty of the

world gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York, and

pledged to achieve significant progress in eight major priority areas by

the year 2015.

These United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) address

many of the world’s most pressing challenges, and provide an

ambitious framework through which countries are now approaching

development.

As GYAN’s Co-Founder and as the official Indian Youth Representative

on my country’s parliamentary delegation, I had the chance to address

the U.N. Millennium Assembly and I called upon world leaders to support

the YES Campaign and create sustainable livelihoods for youth.

The Millennium Development GoalsThe Millennium Development Goals

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2. Improve maternal health

3. Achieve universal primary education

4. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

5. Promote gender equality and empower women

6. Ensure environmental sustainability

7. Reduce child mortality

8. Develop a global partnership for development

Building Youth Leadership for the MDGsBuilding Youth Leadership for the MDGsBuilding Youth Leadership for the MDGs

The Global Youth Action Network

based in New York close to the UN

Secretariat is committed to ensuring

that young people are seen as key

stakeholders in the design of their

future, and become a driving force

behind efforts to achieve the MDGs.

To help place young people at the

forefront of these efforts, a four part

comprehensive strategy has been

devised by GYAN and its regional

offices and partner organizations.

Please see www.youthlink.org

The Global Youth Action Network

based in New York close to the UN

Secretariat is committed to ensuring

that young people are seen as key

stakeholders in the design of their

future, and become a driving force

behind efforts to achieve the MDGs.

To help place young people at the

forefront of these efforts, a four part

comprehensive strategy has been

devised by GYAN and its regional

offices and partner organizations.

Please see www.youthlink.org

Getting the FactsGetting the FactsGetting the Facts

Only recently has the discussion about the United Nations Millennium

Development Goals become a major topic in the civil society sector. Much

information is needed still on how these MDGs can best be achieved.

In response to the United Nations Millennium Project, a special Working

Group on Youth was commissioned to create a detail report identifying the

potential role of young people in achieving the MDGs which was released

back in November 2004.

Polls and surveys were used to determine young people’s awareness and

understanding of the goals, what efforts are underway to address them,

and to compile case studies & success stories from across the planet.

Only recently has the discussion about the United Nations Millennium

Development Goals become a major topic in the civil society sector. Much

information is needed still on how these MDGs can best be achieved.

In response to the United Nations Millennium Project, a special Working

Group on Youth was commissioned to create a detail report identifying the

potential role of young people in achieving the MDGs which was released

back in November 2004.

Polls and surveys were used to determine young people’s awareness and

understanding of the goals, what efforts are underway to address them,

and to compile case studies & success stories from across the planet.

Getting the Word OutGetting the Word OutGetting the Word Out

Everyone must work together for the United Nations Millennium

Development Goals, if they are ever to be achieved especially young

people. Priority must be placed on efforts to educate the public about

these Goals.

GYAN is making conference presentations, using public service

announcements and collaborating on publications to raise public

awareness about the MDGs, including the World Federation of United

Nations Associations’ Annual Report on the MDGs.

Other strategies will include media campaigns, television and radio

programs, and collaboration with United Nations agencies on the launch of

a Youth MDG Web Portal.

Everyone must work together for the United Nations Millennium

Development Goals, if they are ever to be achieved especially young

people. Priority must be placed on efforts to educate the public about

these Goals.

GYAN is making conference presentations, using public service

announcements and collaborating on publications to raise public

awareness about the MDGs, including the World Federation of United

Nations Associations’ Annual Report on the MDGs.

Other strategies will include media campaigns, television and radio

programs, and collaboration with United Nations agencies on the launch of

a Youth MDG Web Portal.

National MDG Youth CampaignsNational MDG Youth CampaignsNational MDG Youth Campaigns

The campaigns will mobilize millions of youth into taking action to better

understand and address the Millennium Development Goals. It will be

launched in a strategic alliance between TakingITGlobal and GYAN,

together with a broad coalition of youth groups, United Nations agencies,

development banks, and socially responsible global corporations.

In 30 pilot countries, young leaders will conceive and implement cost-

effective, participatory initiatives, including community meetings, school

workshops, roundtables with decision-makers, community-improvement

projects, video conferences, and much more.

At least 500,000 young people are expected to participate in the first year.

The initiative included an awards program and workshop during the

Millennium Summit+5 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The campaigns will mobilize millions of youth into taking action to better

understand and address the Millennium Development Goals. It will be

launched in a strategic alliance between TakingITGlobal and GYAN,

together with a broad coalition of youth groups, United Nations agencies,

development banks, and socially responsible global corporations.

In 30 pilot countries, young leaders will conceive and implement cost-

effective, participatory initiatives, including community meetings, school

workshops, roundtables with decision-makers, community-improvement

projects, video conferences, and much more.

At least 500,000 young people are expected to participate in the first year.

The initiative included an awards program and workshop during the

Millennium Summit+5 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Impacting PolicyImpacting PolicyImpacting Policy

Poverty-Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) being developed by

governments as their blueprint for achieving the Millennium Development

Goals represent one of the most significant policy-related processes, in

which young people should have a greater voice. Efforts by the United

Nations are focused on advocacy, and getting governments to fulfill their

commitments to achieve the MDGs.

In collaboration with the United Nations Millennium Campaign, youth will

be invited to assist in advocacy efforts with governments, as well as to

participate in any way possible in developing these PRSPs and shaping

other policies with their government. In addition, national consultations will

give a voice to greater numbers of youth in determining priorities and

shaping policies.

Poverty-Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) being developed by

governments as their blueprint for achieving the Millennium Development

Goals represent one of the most significant policy-related processes, in

which young people should have a greater voice. Efforts by the United

Nations are focused on advocacy, and getting governments to fulfill their

commitments to achieve the MDGs.

In collaboration with the United Nations Millennium Campaign, youth will

be invited to assist in advocacy efforts with governments, as well as to

participate in any way possible in developing these PRSPs and shaping

other policies with their government. In addition, national consultations will

give a voice to greater numbers of youth in determining priorities and

shaping policies.

Working Group on YouthWorking Group on YouthWorking Group on Youth

The Working Group on youth, which was formed in mid-2004, consists of a number of youth experts from around the world who together have been working on the report titled “Youth & the Millennium Development Goals: Opportunities and Challenges for Implementation.”

The Global Youth Action Network functions as the secretariat for this group, with additional coordination support provided by the United Nations Programme on Youth in New York at the UN headquarters.

The Working Group on youth, which was formed in mid-2004, consists of a number of youth experts from around the world who together have been working on the report titled “Youth & the Millennium Development Goals: Opportunities and Challenges for Implementation.”

The Global Youth Action Network functions as the secretariat for this group, with additional coordination support provided by the United Nations Programme on Youth in New York at the UN headquarters.

Partner Agencies on the StrategyPartner Agencies on the StrategyPartner Agencies on the Strategy

� TakingITGlobal

� North-South Institute

� Peace Child International

� United Nations Millennium Project

� United Nations Programme on Youth

� United Nations Millennium Campaign

� United Nations Program on Human Settlements

� World Federation of United Nations Associations

� TakingITGlobal

� North-South Institute

� Peace Child International

� United Nations Millennium Project

� United Nations Programme on Youth

� United Nations Millennium Campaign

� United Nations Program on Human Settlements

� World Federation of United Nations Associations

To end I want to quote President John F. Kennedy who said, ÒThe future promise of any nation can be directly measured by the present prospects of its youth.Ó Let us show a true partnership with youth in the international community. The youth are the leaders of tomorrow but they are the partners for today.

Thank you very much!Thank you very much!