New York, April 9, 2019: Following this year’s theme ‘Empowered, Included and Equal’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum concluded at UN Head Quarters in New York on Tuesday, 9th April.
Along with world’s young leaders from across the globe Pakistan is also represented (in Private capacity) by Fsahat Ul Hassan a young leader hailing from Lahore. Unfortunately, once again Pakistan didn’t have its official youth delegate at this very important forum. The Forum addressed the theme, “Empowered, Included and Equal”, which is aligned with the theme of ECOSOC and the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” in 2019. During the forum progress in the areas of quality education (SDG4), decent work and economic growth (SDG8), reduced inequalities (SDG10), climate action (SDG13), peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG16), and partnerships for the goals (SDG17) was reviewed.
Fsahat while talking to the ‘The Dayspring’ said that it was very embarrassing situation that Pakistan was being represented without any government support whereas countries including Afghanistan, Sri lanka, India and others sent their official youth delegates. Though, i represented Pakistan in the best possible way without any government support but it would have been much better if we had official youth delegate at such a prestigious forum he added.
As Pakistan is home to the largest refugee population in the world having significant number of young people, Fsahat Ul Hassan highlighted the importance of migrant youth as how their energies can be utilised for the betterment of society. While presenting his view point he said “Young people and migrants in particular, are agents of social change and economic development around the world. However, much of this potential remains untapped”. Integration challenges, including unemployment and lack of accessible and youth-specific social services, prevent youth migrants from fully contributing to their host societies. The development of rights-based labor mobility mechanisms that incorporate skill development, enacts cross-border or jurisdiction harmonisation and recognition of skills and qualifications, would be an action which both benefits the local societies, global development and migrants themselves.
Fsahat during his meeting with UN President María Fernanda Espinosa also thanked her for pushing youth agenda at the UN level.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum is an annual initiative of the President of the Council. As the main platform for youth to share their ideas at the global level, the Forum allows representatives of youth-led and youth-focused organizations and networks, youth advocates and other youth stakeholders to dialogue with Member States, and to explore ways and means of promoting youth development and engagement. Participants take part in brainstorming sessions, interactive speaker panels and discussions with Member States on the annual ECOSOC/High-Level
Political Forum themes. Other gatherings held in the framework of the Forum, including side events, encourage participants to further engage with one another on a wide range of topics.
This event is an opportunity to engage UN member states and entities, civil society organizations, and youth on ‘next steps’ for meaningfully engaging and including youth in governmental policymaking processes directly or indirectly related to migration. While similar events have discussed youth engagement in intergovernmental processes (e.g. ‘Youth Leadership in 21st Century Migration Governance’ side-event at IDM 2019), this event specifically explores strategies for enlarging youth inclusion and participation in governmental policy-making and decision-making processes at the local and national level.