Delegates: Mr. Selleslaghs (21 years), Ms. Maillart
65. Mr. Selleslaghs (Belgium), speaking as a youth delegate, said that social and youth programmes were the first to suffer when Governments took austerity measures and that, by failing to invest in the future, they were creating a talent deficit. In that regard, financial institutions should review their lending conditions to allow the young to invest in their education and other opportunities. Young people were willing to assume their responsibility to help find solutions to the crises, but their rights to education, employment, housing, health care and credit should be ensured. Only then could youth enjoy one of its most important rights: the right to be young and not to worry about the future.
66. Ms. Maillart (Belgium), speaking as a youth delegate, said that young people considered that sustainable development was the solution to the crises, yet Governments had reduced investments in that area. Youth participation at all stages of decision-making and in a wide variety of fields from environmental negotiations to labour regulation discussions was absolutely necessary. Young people could come up with fresh, creative and sustainable solutions to current problems.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/66/SR.3
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/66/SR.3, 3 October 2011, p. 9, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/belgium-2011/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-194006-0.