Delegate: Camilla Blomquist
1. Ms. Blomquist (Denmark), speaking as her delegation’s youth representative, said that major resources had been allocated to ensuring education for all, counteracting youth unemployment and combating HIV/AIDS, but an integrated youth strategy was still needed to ensure better cooperation between United Nations programmes, youth and Governments. Youth in all regions had valuable contributions to make to strengthen their communities.
2. Although the report of the Secretary-General on promoting youth employment (A/58/229) showed that attention was being given to youth issues, it reflected a position on youth that was rather vague. The recommendations lacked true steps towards action, and most important, the need to strengthen the youth agenda within the United Nations had not been mentioned. Youth issues must be dealt with in a holistic manner; a separate youth programme was not needed if the youth agenda was sufficiently strengthened.
3. The Millennium Declaration was the most important compact ever between rich and poor, and should also be seen as a compact between generations. In 2005, when Member States would evaluate progress on the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of Youth, it would be important to discuss how youth could play a stronger role in ensuring progress of the Millennium Development Goals.
4. Youth must be given special attention in many areas of social development, with HIV/AIDS among the most urgent. The statistics on HIV/AIDS infection in the 15-to-24 age group were horrific. Government commitments to bridge the resource gap, currently estimated at $10 billion, were needed, as was a guarantee of the right of young people to sexual education and access to protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Youth organizations must also become involved in the battle against the epidemic, which had a direct impact on their lives.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/58/SR.3
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/58/SR.3, 6 October 2003, p. 2, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/denmark-2003/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-195026-0.