Since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948, human rights have been recognized as the best guideline for guaranteeing that every human being can live a peaceful and prosperous life. In the case of young people, these rights also provide the means for a safe passage from birth to adulthood. However, in reality, youth as a whole have suffered from systemic violations of their rights and have had a diminished role as stakeholders in their promotion. Aware of this, the Human Rights Council has taken on the challenge of guaranteeing the rights of the largest youth population the world has ever seen.
Youth around the world face common challenges in accessing well-paying employment, quality education, healthcare services, and exercising their political rights, as well as experiencing an absence of freedom of conscience. While specific causes vary from country to country, these challenges are generally a consequence of a lack of public policies centered around youth and a lack of funding for basic institutions like health services and schools.
Though each of these issues is important to tackle individually, it is worth noting that they are interconnected, as the violation of one right can and will negatively impact other rights. For example, a lack of quality education could lead young people to be unaware of their political rights, making it more likely that they will face difficulties exercising those rights. These issues can also affect youth to varying degrees depending on factors such as gender, economic status, and nationality.
Aware of these problems, the UN has taken steps to address them across its numerous bodies. The Human Rights Council, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council, among others, have adopted resolutions to promote measures that guarantee youth’s human rights. However, experts have highlighted the need for Member States to enact legislation and implement long-term policies to strengthen the promotion and protection of young people’s rights. There is also a growing need to mainstream a focus on youth human rights across the United Nations system.
78 Years Engaging Global Citizens
