BACKGROUND

The UNESCO youth forum

More than ever, UNESCO considers youth as true actors of change and progress, synonymous with mobility, dynamism and innovation.

More than an event taking place every two years since 1999, the forum is a space of open and dynamic dialogue allowing young participants from all members’ states of the organization, to formulate strategic recommendations on UNESCO’s programmes for youth.

Each day in the framework of its field of competence, the organization strives to multiply possibilities, to encourage new initiatives and to incite young women and men to act, at their level, towards changing the world. To build a better world, many challenges affecting youth need to be addressed, such as a broader access to education and culture, civic engagement and social inclusion, sustainable integrations in the job market, and the respect of the basic rights and freedom.

UNESCO youth desk

The UNESCO Youth Desk in Tanzania is a youth led affiliated body of the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO established in response to the call of the 1st UNESCO African Youth Forum and 5th UNESCO Youth Forum held in Burkina Faso on 24th -28th September 2007 and in Paris (France) on 12th-13th October 2007 respectively. The UNESCO Youth Desk was officially launched on 16th December 2009 at Karimjee Hall Dar es Salaam. Prof. M.S. Sheya, the Tanzania’s Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and the country’s representative to UNESCO Executive Board was the Guest of Honor.

MAIN GOAL

 

The main objective of establishing the Youth Desk at the National Commission is to empower young people, reach out to them, and to respond to their needs and expectations. This is a very challenging task. During the launching event, the UNESCO National Commission, Secretary General emphasized the need to promote Peace, Justice and mutual understanding in society despite cultural diversities. She pointed out that in order to promote mutual respect and appreciate diversity of culture, intercultural dialogue is important. She urged Youth to take advantage of the established Desk to design innovative programmes directed at transforming the challenges facing young people to opportunities for sustainable development. She highlighted the main challenges facing young people to include HIV/AIDS, the impact of the global economic crisis, lack of quality education, inadequate science education and lack of appropriate skills and employment.