International Youth Day 2021

Dorsa Sabouri Dodran,

Assistant Coordinator for UEF's celebration of International Youth Day

on behalf of Urban Economy Forum

 The newly released landmark UN report referred to as "Code red for humanity’ gives stark warnings on climate change. With millions of people continuing to suffer the effects of COVID 19 pandemic, along with multiple crises affecting the planet today - environmental, climate, hunger & malnourishment, unemployment, to name a few – the task before today’s youth is all the more challenging.

Today’s youth as leaders are also beacon of hope for tomorrow for the aged and children alike.

 With such important and challenging tasks facing them, we need to ask ourselves… are the conditions favourable for them today?

Do the youth have access to affordable education, nutritious food, safe housing, and decent work? Can society, the economic and political system provide what the youth need to assist them to transform and build a sustainable tomorrow?

The youth clearly understand and comprehend the multiple crises of today. But do millions of them have access to education, training, and all other capabilities to innovate and transform not only the food system, but the overall economic, social and political system?

For our Youth to make changes towards healthy choices in food consumption- not only do they require the knowledge and wisdom to make informed decisions, but those alternatives need to be available.

Engaging the youth also requires encouraging them to explore alternatives to the existing methods, modes, and models of organising society and economy.

Universally accepted principles of human rights have set the standard for equality between women and men. This concept also needs to be extended to the recognition that girls and young women are unique individuals with rights and responsibilities equal to those of boys and young men.

On this day the Urban Economy Forum (UEF) reiterates its support to the potential for Indigenous youth to connect globally and become involved in urban food security initiatives in their communities. UEF is committed to supporting Indigenous youth by highlighting their strengths and commitment in the areas of land, food security, environmental protection, climate change and leadership development.

There is need for hope backed by some means, capabilities, and possibilities to tackle the multiple crises of today and make a liveable and sustainable future.

UEF is establishing the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park (Pavilion), a global platform to inspire action and advocate for sustainable urban development with stakeholders across all sectors. Importantly, we hope the Pavilion to be a place where youth can come together to collaborate innovate and share knowledge and practical experiences to promote youth leadership. The Pavilion also hopes to be a space where youth are empowered through knowledge, enriched through collaboration, and supported with resources to positively impact their local communities. 

Just as food brings us together as cultures and communities, it can also bring us together across generations and genders, to find resilient solutions for a hopeful future.