The economic and social council forum encouraged youth to lead sustainable change

Involving youth in decision-making and encouraging them to lead sustainable change to create a better future is at the centre of what we do.

Last week’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum was a place where those ideas could be discussed with government reps, youth delegates, policymakers and more under this year’s COVID-19 recovery theme.

The forum focused on the impact COVID-19 has had on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a blueprint for building a better world by 2030. Attendees discussed quality education, gender equality, life below water, life on land and partnerships for achieving success.

Accessing quality education has become more difficult since COVID-19

The forum was a place to brainstorm about how youth can become more active in creating sustainable education systems. It’s much needed.

According to a 2021 UNICEF report, child poverty is estimated to be 10 percent higher than before the pandemic. That means there are as many as 100-million children in multidimensional poverty, globally. (Multidimensional poverty speaks to a child’s access to education and/or health services.)

Why is gender inequality and gender-based violence on the rise?

Gender inequality and gender-based violence also grew during the pandemic. Children have especially been at higher risk of child marriage, violence, exploitation and abuse as family income was lost, the cost of living rose and emergency situations grew.

The ECOSOC youth forum highlighted the need to advance gender rights and prevent violence against women, while promoting women and girls’ participation in decision-making as essential to global recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s a theme Children Believe understands. We promote and advance gender equality as part of our program strategy, helping those at risk and those who have been victims of violence.

You can help children lead sustainable change to create a better world. Sponsor a child today.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.