Yangon - On 15 August 2015, International Youth Day (IYD) was celebrated in Yangon. Led by the Yangon Youth Network, and co-sponsored by UNFPA and the United Nations Volunteer Programme (UNV), around 300 youths from 11 youth networks attended.
The theme of this year’s IYD was, “Youth Civic Engagement”, which was poignant given Myanmar youth’s participation in on-going relief efforts to respond to the recent floods that have ravaged 12 of Myanmar’s 14 States and Regions. Youth’s rapid response to the floods was one of the main topics discussed during the event. In spite of the challenging conditions, youth have been encouraged and empowered to help communities during this difficult time. A short video from UNFPA documented Myanmar youth actively participating in relief efforts across the country to help those most affected by the floods. Young people’s participation is well recognised by the population of Myanmar, the government, and humanitarian organisations.
Ms. Thinzar Shun Lei Yi, founder of Yangon Youth Network, said: “Young people in Myanmar, and everywhere in the world, are the main beneficiaries of the sustainable development goals. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders must start encouraging young people to take part in achieving these goals. Youth must be involved in humanitarian work and participate more in policy and decision making processes in the country.” Si Si San, a young woman said: “It is important that our youth develop their capacity to help the government to meet the sustainable development goals. Authorities must encourage and support various youth networks that are being formed across the country.”
Thinzar Shun Lei Yi said that Yangon Youth Network’s support to plan and lead the event, was a clear signal of the wish to listen to and invest in youth. This echoed UNFPA’s Executive Director’s statement that: “Our efforts to promote youth leadership and participation enable young people to develop the skills, knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, lives, families, communities, countries and the world.”
UNFPA’s Executive Director also said that: “The next 15 years offer a unique opportunity for a demographic dividend that would accelerate conflict-recovery and sustainable economic growth and development in many countries if we empower, support, educate and create employment for young people today.” In September this year, the world’s leaders will formally adopt “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, a historic, transformative, inclusive, universal agenda.
