Children and youth to propose urban solutions at U.N. Children and Youth Assembly
This Saturday, World Vision International will co-lead the Children and Youth Assembly alongside the U.N. Major Group for Children and Youth at the U.N. Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in Quito, Ecuador.
The Children and Youth Assembly aims to provide a formal platform for children and youth to express their experiences of living in a city and discuss issues such as access to quality education, safe public spaces, protection from urban violence, and voice and participation in city planning and budgeting processes. The event aims to change the perception of the role of young people in shaping cities, and create awareness of the importance of their inclusion and contribution to just, equitable and sustainable cities.
Featuring the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, and Secretary General of Habitat III, Dr Joan Clos, as keynote speakers, the key recommendations and outputs of the Assembly will inform a Children’s Charter and Youth Declaration, to be shared throughout the Conference.
Hundreds of children and youth participants from local, regional and global child and youth serving agencies, organisations, networks and groups will gather together to identify issues, priorities and recommendations for the New Urban Agenda, highlighting young people’s potential as leaders and empowered agents of change.
Many children and families living in urban slums of low income countries are far from realising their rights to adequate shelter, safe spaces to learn and play, access to basic services, including quality education, health and sanitation, and accessing the opportunities that urbanisation brings.
“Every child and youth should grow up in a fair and just city, cared for and protected from violence, have equal opportunity to grow, learn and contribute to shaping future cities. They must be recognised as a key resource and agent of change in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, ensuring that no one is left behind,” stated Joyati Das, Senior Director of World Vision International’s Global Urban Programmes.
As Co-Chair of the General Assembly of Partners' Children and Youth Group, World Vision is also co-leading the Children and Youth Stakeholder Roundtable, which aims to promote an intergenerational dialogue between mayors and children and youth regarding urban issues and their aspirations for the New Urban Agenda. World Vision is also leading a networking event focused on partnerships for collective action to contribute to inclusive and just cities for children that are safe, healthy, prosperous and resilient.
Event information:
- Children and Youth Assembly
October 15, 9AM-6PM - Teatro Nacional, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatorina - World Vision’s Networking Event ‘Partnerships for collective action to contribute to just and inclusive cities for children”
October 17, 4:30-6:30PM – R20, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatorina - Children and Youth Roundtable
October 20, 8-10AM – R21, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatorina
About World Vision International: World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities world-wide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. It is one of the largest child-focused INGOs with a reach of more than 4.3 million children across 90 countries. It is Co-Chair of the General Assembly of Partners’ Children and Youth Group for Habitat III and a lead partner of UN-Habitat’s World Urban Campaign.
For more information, contact Joyati Das, Senior Director, Urban Programmes, World Vision International.