Regional Perspectives on Youth ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 2 July 2012 Regional Perspectives on Youth 1 February 2013 Marco Roncarati Social Development Division ESCAP 1

ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 Outline Global Framework of Cooperation Regional Cooperation ESCAP

ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 Global Framework World Programme of Action on Youth (GA resolution 50/81 of 14 December 1995) Secretary-General’s Five-Year Action Agenda (January 2012): employment entrepreneurship political inclusion citizenship and protection of rights, and education, including on sexual and reproductive health

ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 Global Framework Interagency Network (IANYD) System-wide Action Plan on Youth: Employment and Entrepreneurship Protection of rights and civic engagement Political Inclusion Education, including comprehensive sexuality education  Health Goals, targets and indicators HLCP/CEB to endorse Youth-SWAP in March 2013

ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 Regional Cooperation Interagency on Youth (up to 2012) RCM-UNDG Thematic Working Group on Youth (2013 onwards): link global, regional and country level policy and programme initiatives support the Asia-Pacific implementation of the World Programme of Action on Youth, the Secretary-General's Five-Year Action Agenda, the outcome of the Rio+20 Summit entitled “The Future We Want”, Millennium Development Goals etc.

ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 ToR Advocacy Analytical work Information sharing and networking Cooperation and coordination

Members and organization ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 Members and organization All RCM and UNDG members Current co-Chairs: ESCAP & UNFPA Reporting to the RCM and UNDG-AP

ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 About ESCAP Regional development arm of UN 62 member States/ 58 in the region Social Development Division Analytical and normative work Some operational work

Over 60% of the world’s youth live in Asia-Pacific = 750+ million Distribution of youth by subregion, Asia-Pacific, 2010 (UNDESA, World Population Prospects: the 2010 Revision) 9

Completing secondary & tertiary education remains a challenge Gross Enrolment Ratios (GER, in %), 2010 (UNESCO Institute for Statistics, UIS Data Centre) 10

Youth unemployment in Asia-Pacific is relatively low compared to other regions Youth unemployment rates by Asia-Pacific subregion (ESCAP, 2011 Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific) 11

The informal economy remains a barrier to youth integration ESCOC_ESCAP youth presentation 201206282012_1000 The informal economy remains a barrier to youth integration

Tapping the demographic dividend Parts of East Asia & SE Asia have tapped the demographic dividend South and South-West Asia are ripe to tap the dividend This requires a mix of social & economic policies to: Promote more investment in human capital Foster a climate for research and development

Tapping the demographic dividend

Asia-Pacific youth have Innovative life-styles Highly “e-connected” China: 84% youth use mobile phones to access Internet Japan: 60% youth access social networks through mobile phones Green activism is on the rise among youth RAECP: a climate education training group from Hanoi Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network

Young people are promoting good governance Youth are calling for greater accountability & participatory politics Philippines: well-developed youth civil society, with youth participation in local governance Pakistan: Young Parliamentarian Forum & on-the-job training for young people in Parliament Young people want leadership that delivers greater accountability, dignity and social justice. For this, they are demanding change and making their voices heard, including through social media. Young people are aware that their participation is key to good governance. They are engaged in national and local processes to ensure greater transparency, equity and rule of law. In the Philippines, young people are working with communities to ensure that electoral processes are transparent. They are also monitoring projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure. In Pakistan, the Young Parliamentarians Forum for young members of the National Assembly in Pakistan is developing the leadership skills of young parliamentarians to equip them with the capabilities to better perform their representative, legislative and over-sight functions. Furthermore, under a programme of the Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency, youth are building their capacity in the operations of Parliament, and are participating in fellowship programmes there. 16

Thank you! 17 17