International Youth Conference as a Mechanism for Involving Youth in United Nations Policies and Programs (From International Youth Organizations and the United Nations, P 38-50, 1973, Berhanykun Andemicael and Anthony J Murdoch, eds. -- See NCJ-124145)

• NCJ Number: 124148
• Author(s): L Simon
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of international youth conferences as a means of providing youth participation in United Nations policymaking and programming uses the World Youth Assembly (WYA) of July 1970 as an analytical model.

Abstract

The United Nations convened the assembly to determine what youth think about the problems confronting the United Nations. The convening of the WYA provided a valuable experience for all concerned and showed that youth should not remain the object of haphazard attention by the United Nations and that such conferences require careful planning and coordination. In addition, programs and conferences should not consider youth to be a homogeneous entity either in age or in needs. Moreover, no issue of concern to the world is outside the purview and commitment of the younger generation. Furthermore, student and youth groups are part of the mainstream of life and need adequate linkages with national and international decisionmaking structures. However, many member nations of the United Nations retain outdated views toward youth, and the organization's existing structure lacks an adequate way to involve the youth of the world seriously and systematically. Finally, conferences that are regional and more specific in nature should replace efforts to convene global youth conferences.