BAKU, Oct 30 (KUNA) -- The First Global Forum on Youth Policies culminated in a final statement that urges stricter implementation of the World Program of Action for the Youth, adopted by the UN in 1995 on the tenth anniversary of International Youth Year.
The gathering, held in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, between October 28 and 30, highlighted the importance of coordination of the national youth policies of the world countries in order to promote exchange of information and experience and develop common approach to the youth policies.
The participants called for networking by the government and non-government organizations in drawing up and implementing the youth policies.
They agreed to work for ensuring equal chances for the youth to fulfil their aspirations and "connect the dots between gender equality and youth," according to the statement.
"Nothing for youth, without youth" was the clarion call emerging from the gathering of more than 700 youth policymakers and representatives of government and non-government organizations from 121 countries.
The State of Kuwait was represented at the three-day gathering by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.
The global forum aimed to; revise the global blueprint for national youth policies provided by the World Program of Action for Youth; develop a common understanding of the needs for and rationales of systemic and cross-sectoral approaches to youth policy; and build a common understanding of guiding principles for integrated youth policy development.
It was co-organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, the Council of Europe (CoE), and the government of Azerbaijan - the current president of the CoE. (end) as.gb