Delegate: Ernesto Braam
Disclaimer: Obvious textual errors have been corrected. The authentic version can be found under “Original Records”.
43. Mr. BRAAM (Netherlands) said that the participation of enthusiastic, talented young people in social processes stimulated the material and non-material development of countries. In that regard, the efforts of the various United Nations organs, specialized agencies, funds and programmes for youth must be co-ordinated so as to avoid duplication, gaps and the inefficient use of available resources at both the Secretariat level and the intergovernmental level.
44. With regard to the subject referred to in General Assembly resolution 40/14, he said that it was necessary to democratize education so that all young people, in particular girls and those having few opportunities would have access to it, and could have more influence on its substance. Functional education was important for a more effective use of human resources. It was also necessary to promote technical, vocational and science education.
45. Employment provided young people with the opportunity to contribute to society, enabling them at the same time to become more independent. Self-employment should also be fostered, and access of young people to industry must be widened. Increasing automation was a challenge to their flexibility and ingenuity. [*10*]
46. Youth had its own sub-culture which was a source of enrichment for culture as a whole. Without neglecting traditional culture, which was the common heritage of mankind, the contemporary youth culture in all its forms must be seen in a new perspective, since it bound together young people all over the world and strengthened the ties of brotherhood between the different peoples. For that reason, he requested that the Secretary-General should further encourage the participation of young people, who needed an outlet for their gifts, talents and aspirations.
47. With a view to achieving that participation, not only was it necessary for young people to have wider access to the mass media, but also to be taught how they worked. Schools might offer courses in mass communications, and consideration should be given to the participation of youth in the production and transmission of radio, television and news programmes and films.
48. The problem of housing was extremely important in the developing countries. However, there were also homeless people in industrialized countries. That problem was a difficult one for young people in particular, since they had lower incomes than older people. Equal housing opportunities must be offered to young people, and the housing market must be adjusted so as to achieve an adequate supply of living accommodations. The future of children and young people lacking adequate housing in refugee camps or in the large cities was in serious danger, and priority should therefore be given to solving those problems.
49. It was essential for young people to participate in technical co-operation activities, and youth must be integrated into all United Nations programmes. The Committee should adopt a resolution requesting that no efforts should be spared to implement the guidelines for planning and follow-up in the field of youth, and that measures should be adopted to strengthen Governments’ youth programmes and policies. Moreover, the Secretary-General should include youth-related projects in the activities of the United Nations, financial resources should be reallocated for that purpose, and, as a general rule, the participation of youth in various projects should be promoted.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/41/SR.16
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/41/SR.16, 16 October 1986, p. 9-10, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/netherlands-1986/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-195431-0.