About Course
Connected to each other like never before, young people want to and already contribute to the resilience of their communities, proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political change. They are also agents of change, mobilizing to advance the Sustainable Development Goals to improve the lives of people and the health of the planet.
As young people demand more opportunities and fairer, more equitable and progressive solutions in their societies, the challenges they face (access to education, health, employment and gender equality…) need to be urgently addressed.
But youth cannot be considered as a vulnerable group, but as one of the main assets of change to address these issues. In September 2015, the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was approved at the United Nations, with its 17 goals and 169 sustainable development targets to end poverty and bring prosperity for all people. In this 15-year process, young people are called to be essential actors in achieving these goals. By being at the forefront of progress, as entrepreneurs, activists and community leaders, boys and girls have enormous capacity to bring about change for themselves, but also in their communities and the rest of the world.
Young people can be a positive force for development when they are given the knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive. In particular, young people need to acquire the education and skills necessary to contribute to a productive economy; and they need access to a labor market that can absorb them into its fabric.
Provided with the necessary skills and opportunities needed to reach their potential, young people can be a driving force for supporting development and contributing to peace and security
Youth-led organizations need to be encouraged and empowered to participate in translating the 2030 Agenda into local, national and regional policy. They play a significant role in the implementation, monitoring and review of the agenda as well as in holding governments accountable. With political commitment and adequate resources, young people have the potential to make the most effective transformation of the world into a better place for all.
