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THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON YOUTH
The United Nations Programme on Youth was originally called the Youth Unit. It evolved from youth work carried out by the Social Development Division (SDD) during 1946-1960. Thereafter an Inter-Agency Youth Liaison Unit was established in Geneva, Switzerland as well as the United Nations Youth Unit in New York. Both coordinated preparations for the 1st United Nations World Youth Assembly in 1970. In 1979, United Nations offices concerned with social questions, including youth, in New York and Geneva were merged within the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs (CSDHA) and transferred to Vienna, Austria. The Youth Unit of the United Nations was consolidated and expanded to serve as the secretariat for the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Youth Year 1985, and its follow-up activities. It was transferred along with the Division for Social Policy and Development from the United Nations Office at Vienna, Austria to the United Nations Headquarters, New York in 1993.
Now the United Nations Programme on Youth is the focal point on youth within the United Nations. It aims to build an awareness of the global situation of young people, as well as promote their rights and aspirations. The UN Programme on Youth also works towards greater participation of young people in decision-making as a means of achieving peace and development. The Programme on Youth is part of the Generational Issues and Integration Section of the Social Integration Branch, which falls within the Division for Social Policy and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). It is a small but dynamic part of the United Nations! It is currently headed by Mr. Joop Theunissen and there are 6 others working with him.
The United Nations General Assembly defines ‘youth’, as those persons falling between the ages of 15 and 24 years inclusive. This definition was made for International Youth Year, held around the world in 1985. All United Nations statistics on youth are based on this definition, as illustrated by the annual yearbooks of statistics published by the United Nations system on demography, education, employment and health.
By that definition, therefore, children are those persons under the age of 14. It is, however, worth noting that Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines ‘children’ as persons up to the age of 18. This was intentional, as it was hoped that the Convention would provide protection and rights to as large an age-group as possible and because there was no similar United Nations Convention on the Rights of Youth.
Many countries also draw a line on youth at the age at which a person is given equal treatment under the law – often referred to as the "age of majority’. This age is often 18 in many countries, and once a person passes this age, they are considered to be an adult. However, the operational definition and nuances of the term ‘youth’ often vary from country to country, depending on the specific socio-cultural, institutional, economic and political factors.
Within the category of "youth", it is also important to distinguish between teenagers (13-19) and young adults (20-24), since the sociological, psychological and health problems they face may differ.
To receive more news about the youth agenda of the United Nations, subscribe to the free information service called Youth Flash (in English only). Subscribe on the website http://www.un.org/youth or by sending an email with “subscribe” as the subject heading to youth@un.org
United Nations Programme on Youth
13th Floor, 2 UN Plaza
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: +1.212.963.2791
Fax: +1.212.963.0111
Email: youth@un.org
Web: www.un.org/youth
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