International Youth Day 2020 – Youth leading the way in COVID-19 solutions
On Aug 14, a youth-led celebration, coordinated by the Lao Youth Union, for this year’s International Youth Day (IYD) in the midst of a global pandemic highlighted education and empowerment for young people and by youth themselves, emphasising how young people are taking action to make a change in their communities.
The theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action” was reflected in the organisation by the Lao Youth Union and support by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Lao PDR. This event highlighted the importance of engaging youth at the local, national, and global levels to enrich national and multilateral institutions and processes. Participants at the event presented ideas on how youth representation and engagement in formal institutional actions can be significantly enhanced, especially to respond to COVID-19.
“In the Lao PDR, currently adolescents and young people aged 15-35 years represent 62% of the population. They are becoming the great driving force for the dynamic development of our nation,” said Mr Alounxay Sounalath, Secretary General of the Lao Youth Union.
He shared the 5 thematic priorities – Health, Education, Employment, Participation and Protection – that the Lao Youth Union recommends be incorporated in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2021-2025 and contribute to achieve SDGs.
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