Sustainable Development Goals and what Youth Can Do Ranjani.K.Murthy Chief Guest Model UN Conference, 2017 Women’s Christian College

Why youth and development? “The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today's younger generation who will pass the torch to future generations.” 2030 Agenda, paragraph 53

SDGs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_hLuEui6ww

Objectives At the end of the my speech the participants would be familiar with: How sustainable development goals (SDGs) seek to foster development of youth Different ways they could get involved in UN agencies programmes for youth

Definition of youth? UN Secretariat 15-24 yrs UN Habitat 15-32 UNFPA/UNICEF 10-19: adolescence 10-24: young people 15-24: youth Indian government 15-29

SDGs: Leave no one behind People, planet, prosperity, peace & partnership 1. No poverty 2. Zero Hunger 3. Good health 4. Quality education 5. Gender Equality 6. Clean water and sanitation 7. Clean energy 8. Decent work and growth 9 Industry and infrastructure 10 Reduced inequalities 11. Sustainable cities 12 Responsible consumption and production 13 Climate Action 14 Life below water. 15 Life on land 16. Peace and justice 17 Partnership for Goals

Youth and SDGs 1.8 billion, 90% in developing countries 17 SDGs 169 targets adopted in 2015 More than 1/3 targets pertain to youth 20 youth specific targets- linked to 6 SDGs In addition youth involvement key to peace and partnership

Digging deeper… Goal Targets Indicator Goal 2 End hunger 2.2 By 2030 end all forms malnutrition – including amongst adolescent girls Goal 3 on Good Health 3.5.2 Coverage of interventions for the prevention of substance abuse interventions among people under 25 3.3.1 HIV incidence per 100 susceptible person years (key populations, children, adolescents). 3.7.2 Adolescent birth rate (10-14, 15-19) per 1000 births

Digging deeper Goal Target Indicator Goal 4 on Quality Education 4.4 By 2030 increase the number of youth with skills for employment, decent job and entrepreneurship 4.6 By 2030 ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. Indicator 4.3.1 Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non formal education in the previous 12 months by sex 4.4.2 Percentage of youth/adults who are computer and information literate 4.6.1 percentage of youth/adults proficient in literacy and numeracy skills and indicator 4.7.1 Percentage of 15- year old students showing proficiency in knowledge of environmental science and geoscience. 

Digging deeper Goal Targets Indicator Goal 5 on Gender Equality: 5.6.2 Existence of laws and regulations that guarantee all women and adolescents informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights regardless of marital status Goal 8 on Good Jobs and Economic Growth 8.5 Achieve full employment for all, including young people 8.6 Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training by 2020. 8b By 2020 develop a global strategy for youth employment 8.6.1 Percentage of youth (15-24) not in education, employment or training 8.6.2  Youth (15-24) unemployment rate

Digging deeper.. Goal Target Indicator 13 Take urgent action to address climate change 13 b Strengthen capacity in planning and managing climate change sensitive to youth, women … 13 b.1 Number of least developed countries and island states with such plans 16 Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies 16.2.3 Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who have experienced sexual violence by age 18

Critique Within same development perspective No separate SDG on youth Issues of youth integration varies across goals Youth issues only partly integrated 7 of 17 goals, 7 out of 169 targets 12 of 241 indicators Diversity amongst youth not addressed Missing youth issues- agency, access to leadership, violence, etc.

What can youth do to contribute to achieving SDGs? Personal as political Give your inputs into Youth Policy Evolve a youth action plan and monitor Study further related to SDGs Pursue a career in development Link with youth organisations Shape future

Study further …. Development Studies Development Economics Development Policy Environment/Conservation Gender and Development Many more

If you choose the development path…. NGOs Civil Service UN Volunteers https://www.unv.org/ UN Internships https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=ip UN Career https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx