From 25 to 27 April, thousands of youth leaders from around the world are poised to gather at the 2023 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. In person and online, they are bringing their solutions, recommendations, and initiatives, sharing their ideas for ensuring a sustainable future is possible for all.
The three-day event centres on accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“This year, the ECOSOC Youth Forum unfolds against a backdrop of complex global issues, including escalating geopolitical tensions, a relentless climate crisis, growing poverty, a push back against human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the gradual but uneven recovery from the pandemic.” said Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth.
“Now, as much as ever before, it is critical that we position young people’s voices, expertise and innovative ideas front and center in our efforts to get the world back on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030.”
Key platform for youth voices
The Youth Forum is the main platform for young people to contribute to policy discussions at the UN, where they can voice their opinions, concerns, and focus on their innovative solutions to deal with the challenges the world faces.
Throughout the Forum, youth-led and youth-focused organizations have the opportunity to engage with Member States, policymakers, and key actors to promote youth development, address the challenges they face, and share their contributions towards realizing youth-specific targets of the SDGs.
The first Forum in 2012, initially aimed at raising awareness of high youth unemployment rates and explore solutions for better job opportunities. The Forum’s success and high demand for the platform led to its transformation into an annual gathering. To find out more about, head to https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135892
The European E-learning Institute (EUEI) is committed to providing high-quality learning experiences and innovative educational programmes which engage learners from a range of sectors and socio-economic backgrounds. EUEI is committed to promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and sustainability across Europe, making them a perfect fit for the Youth Fit for 55 Project.
Our experienced team of trainers, researchers and technical experts are uniquely placed to guide educators from VET, HEI, Adult and Youth sectors to harness the opportunities that innovative and collaborative e-learning and digital tools offer for learners.
We specialise in the delivering of high quality, responsive and innovative projects to educators and learners in the topics of pedagogic approaches, digital skills, inclusion, and sustainability.
Meet our team working on the Youth Fit for 55 project!
Canice Hamill- Managing Director
Canice has worked in the field of lifelong education for over 20 years and is recognised as an expert in instructional design and the development of e-learning solutions for education and training. A former trainer and lecturer, Canice utilises a holistic approach to creating innovative, interactive learning environments and works closely with tutors, trainers, and development teams, emphasising the importance of empathy and user experience in every learning solution.
Our Logician -Innovative Inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge
Catherine Neill- European Project Manager
An experienced EU project manager, Catherine is an integral member of our team. She is an effective communicator and has a strong background in areas of Inclusion. The oldest of 5 children Catherine quickly learned how to lead the pack, utilising organisational skills alongside her passion for helping others, she is committed to making the world a more accessible, sustainable, and friendly place.
Our Protagonist -Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerise their listeners.
Aine Hamill- European Project Officer
Aine plays an important role in the learning design and subsequently in evaluating the effectiveness of our eLearning products on completion. Aine is always keen to engage with her creative side and implement the newest digital tools, pedagogies, and trends into our e-learning solutions. She is passionate about finding effective and relevant ways to engage learners from all walks of life.
Our Defender-dedicated and warm protectors, able to implement ideas and “create order from chaos”.
Including our key role in the initiation of the Youth Fit for 55 project we will also work tirelessly alongside our project partners to deliver the highest quality project results as possible. Within the project EUEI will develop the project website and be responsible for the technical realisation of the materials.
Learn more about EUEI here:www.euei.dk
In the face of pressing global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation, the need for a sustainable future has become more evident than ever. It is essential to equip the younger generation with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take action and drive positive change in their communities. This blog post aims to shed light on a project dedicated to raising awareness, understanding, and commitment among the youth sector towards the Green Transition, addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.
Educating Young People for Change:
The first step towards fostering a sustainable future is education. Recognizing the significance of this, the project focuses on educating young people about climate change, environmental protection, and the interconnectedness of the three pillars: environmental, economic, and social. By providing them with the necessary knowledge, the project aims to empower young individuals to actively engage in fighting climate change and initiate green social initiatives.
Incorporating Green Practices:
To ensure their efforts are aligned with the principles they advocate, the project incorporates green practices in all stages. This commitment extends beyond raising awareness and understanding, as the project implements resource-efficient strategies throughout its activities. By leading by example, they inspire young people to embrace sustainable practices and consider the environmental impact of their actions.
Youth-fit-for-55 Model:
The project follows a Youth-fit-for-55 model that promotes the development of new and resource-efficient strategies by policymakers. By endorsing sustainable development projects, this model creates opportunities for young people to actively participate in shaping a sustainable future. It aims to empower them to generate social initiatives that not only combat climate change but also have positive social effects within their communities.
Equipping Youth for Action:
The project's main deliverables and activities are designed to equip the youth sector with the knowledge, tools, and motivation necessary to drive social entrepreneurship and implement social innovation projects. By fostering skills such as future-oriented thinking and critical problem-solving, the project prepares young individuals to take a well-grounded stance and contribute to sustainable development. This aligns with the EU Youth Strategy, empowering young people to design their future and become engaged citizens.
Addressing Inclusiveness and Equal Opportunities:
The project also addresses the priority of providing equal chances for education and participation in mobility opportunities, particularly for those at risk or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Recognizing that sustainability is a collective response to global challenges, the project acknowledges the importance of inclusiveness and aims to ensure that no one is left behind in the green transition
The EU Green Deal and the "Fit for 55" Package:
The EU Green Deal serves as the articulated response to global challenges, envisioning a sustainable economy and a climate-neutral continent by 2050. The "Fit for 55" package, a part of the EU Green Deal, consists of legislative proposals that revise the EU's 2030 climate and energy framework. With an increased ambition of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030, this package signifies the urgency and determination to accelerate the pace of change.
Acting Towards a Sustainable Future:
In the face of the high stakes involved in the green transition, the "Fit for 55" package serves as an invitation to act. This project proposal takes up that invitation by addressing youth participation and cooperation. Youth-serving organizations play a crucial role in boosting inclusiveness and driving change through knowledge consolidation, dissemination, training, representation, and participation. By harnessing the inspiring energy of exchanges, volunteering, and empowerment, this project invites young people to join the journey towards a sustainable future.
The youth sector has a significant role to play in the Green Transition and the challenges it addresses. By raising awareness, understanding, and commitment among young individuals, this project aims to empower them to become agents of change. Through education and incorporating green practices.