In an exciting development for youth empowerment in global health, the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP) has joined the World Health Organization (WHO) Youth Council. This decision not only signifies IYAFP’s dedication to advocating for young people’s health and rights but also positions it among the first organizations to endorse the groundbreaking Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies.
Elevating Youth Voices in Global Health
Launched on October 14, 2024, during the World Health Summit in Berlin, the Youth Declaration articulates a bold vision for healthier societies and emphasizes the critical role of young people in shaping health policies. With contributions from youth representatives worldwide, the declaration outlines ten key calls to action focused on three priority areas: health education and literacy, accessible healthcare, and youth leadership.
The ten calls to action advocate for:
- Access, Equity, and Inclusion in Education and Technology: Ensuring educational frameworks dismantle barriers and reflect diverse health needs.
- Comprehensive Curricula: Advocating for national curricula that incorporate health, climate change, and digital literacy.
- Quality and Adaptive Education: Promoting flexible learning environments that respond to the diverse needs of young learners.
- Youth Engagement and Leadership: Encouraging youth involvement in the design and implementation of health policies and programs.
To ensure accessible and sustainable healthcare, the declaration further emphasizes:
- Inclusive, Accessible, and Prevention-focused Healthcare: Tailoring healthcare services to meet the unique needs of youth, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.
- Investment in Young People: Empowering youth to become leaders and problem solvers in health and other critical areas.
- Brave Spaces for Healthy Environments: Creating safe environments free from violence and discrimination, allowing youth to thrive.
Transforming and elevating youth leadership also involves:
- Inclusion of Young People: Governments, international organizations, and civil society should co-create policies addressing priority health needs.
- Valuing Young People’s Experiences: Recognizing and incorporating the diverse perspectives of youth in health policy development.
- Greater Support for Youth Organizations: Investing in grassroots youth-led initiatives to build a healthier future.
These calls for action resonate deeply with IYAFP’s mission to ensure that young people are at the center of decisions impacting their health and well-being.
IYAFP’s Commitment to Youth-Led Initiatives
The decision to join the WHO Youth Council reflects IYAFP’s ongoing commitment to empowering young advocates. The WHO Youth Council acts as a dynamic platform for youth representatives from various health and non-health organizations to collaborate with WHO senior leadership. Through this partnership, IYAFP aims to drive meaningful change and foster the active participation of young people in health policymaking.
Endorsing the Youth Declaration
IYAFP’s endorsement of the Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies demonstrates its commitment to a future where young voices lead the charge in health advocacy. By supporting the declaration, IYAFP invites governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together in creating inclusive environments that enable young people to lead and thrive.
The declaration calls for a concerted effort from stakeholders to implement these ten actionable steps, creating a supportive landscape for youth engagement and leadership in health.
Looking Ahead
As IYAFP embarks on this new journey with the WHO Youth Council, it remains dedicated to advocating for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, youth-friendly healthcare services, and the protection of marginalized youth groups. By ensuring that young people are not only included in discussions about their health but also empowered to lead those discussions, IYAFP envisions a more equitable and healthier world for all.