Nepali youth elated by youth-focused UN ‘Pact for the Future’

September 27, 2024

Kathmandu: In Nepal, youth age bracket varies. For example, UN says, the age bracket from 15 to 24 years means youth. However, Nepal Government has another standard where people from 16 to 40 years of age are youth. Despite different age brackets from different youth definitions in Nepal, one undisputed thing is youth from all backgrounds are unanimous on bigger and better youth engagement in state and international affairs. This sentiment is boosted by recently unveiled UN ‘Pact for the Future’ adopted as an agenda item of 123 during 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to the UN News, ‘The Pact along with its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, was adopted by consensus, despite a last-minute proposal for an amendment by some countries, including Russia, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Syria.’

The pact’s IV section includes ‘Youth and Future Generations’ where actions number 34, 35, 36 and 37 are focused on youth.

Action number 34 says, ‘ We will invest in the social and economic development of children and young people so that they can reach their full potential.’

Action 35 states, ‘ We will promote, protect and respect the human rights of all young people and foster social inclusion and integration.’

In action 36, UNGA commits, ‘ We will strengthen meaningful youth participation at the national level.’

Likewise, the action 37 says, ‘ We will strengthen meaningful youth participation at the international level.’

The pact’s page 23, 24 and 25 mentions exclusively6 on youth under various heading as stated above for which Nepali youth are elated. Nepal Press has talked to some of these Nepali youths to glance into their hearts and minds.

‘UN Concerns on youth participation matters’

Inclusive participation of all youths from all backgrounds must be instrumental. UN concerns on youth will yield better results, I guess. This helps elevate trust of youths on the UN. In this age of globalization, youths are vehicles of development, prosperity and inventions globally. I do agree with what UN has done on youth. It matters a lot because UN concerns on youth participation matters.’

-Pramod Bhattarai, a Student Leader of Nepal’s largest and oldest surviving political party- Nepali Congress.

‘Youths from Global South must be empowered’

Including young people in international programs is important because they bring new ideas and creative ways to solve problems like climate change and inequality. Their fresh thinking can help find better solutions. Choices made today will shape their future. So, they must have participated in decision-making process which eventually become the policy which will that affect them in future. Young people are a large part of the world, but they often don’t get enough chances to help make decisions. By involving them, we make sure that decisions are fair and include everyone. Also, young people are passionate about improving the world and can motivate others to take action. They are skilled with technology, which is very important today. Their knowledge can guide how technology is used in a way that benefits all people. Involving young people helps them grow into future leaders who will solve global issues and engaging young people today in international platforms prepares them to be responsible leaders in the future locally, nationally and internationally which helps to make a peaceful, developed society, nation and world. It helps develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence to tackle global challenges where we can create safe peaceful world including all people’s voices heard with having their own unique identity. Youth from Global South must be empowered after this global pact.

-Mamita Bhandari, local peace expert and media practitioner at Media Action Nepal, focused on promoting peace and conflict-sensitive journalism.

‘Effective participation of youth must include youth with disabilities’

It gives happiness to hear on effective participation of youth. However, some genuine concerns of youth with disabilities are lacking in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It is just six-year time ahead. SDG hasn’t touched in our community with disabilities. The recent youth participation issue by Pact for the Future has harbored hope for change. We, in deaf community, has communication barrier for our impactful participation. It is owning to lack of sign language experts.

-Sitaram Ojha, General Secretary, National Federation of the Deaf-Nepal (NDFN)

This is very right issue. Not only in the USA, it is strongly required in our country also. It is because youth must take the lead. We have tolerated the old ways. Recently, Suman Shrestha as an education minister did praiseworthy deeds. Whether it was implemented or not is another issue. At least she floated that issue on the floor. It is a most important thing.

-Aashma AI Rai, young journalist from Chitwan

‘UN Prioritizing youth is good global gesture’

It is great that UN is accommodating youth in its ‘Pact for the Future’. This helps to boost youth participation and gives platforms in policymaking and decision-making process. Youth inject new momentum with their innovative ideas and angles as the incumbent decision-making and policymaking process mostly includes people from older generations. Youth participation helps to combat climate change, facilitate SDG and to maintain global peace.