Delegates: Mr. Jérôme R. Leichen, Ms. El-Kaddouri
50. Mr. Lechien (Belgium), speaking as a youth delegate, said that, according to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which Belgium had ratified, higher education should be made equally accessible to all by the introduction of free education. However, that traditional way out of poverty continued to be closed to many in Belgium on account of selection systems and cost. Member States should eliminate selection systems, fees and all other barriers in order to reduce the impact of discrimination in higher education. By doing so, they would also reduce discrimination in employment.
51. Ms. El-Kaddouri (Belgium), speaking as a youth delegate, urged the United Nations and its Member States to create sustainable, decent employment for young people in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Belgium, where one out of five young people could not find work, ethnic minorities were three times more likely to be unemployed. Ethno-cultural discrimination was common in the labour market in many countries. With the world refugee crisis, the need for inclusive labour markets had become more urgent than ever. She asked the United Nations and its Member States to give special attention to the rights of minorities when addressing unemployment. The United Nations youth delegates were an example of the strength of diverse teams.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/70/SR.2
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/70/SR.2, 6 October 2015, p. 10, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/belgium-2015/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-193326-0.