Youth Empowerment

The United Nations recognizes young people’s rights and agency as a core part of its mandate, globally through the adoption of the “UN Youth Strategy – Youth 2030”, and in Somalia through the “UN Somalia Youth Strategy.” The Youth, Peace and Security agenda, guided by UN Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419 and 2535, commits the UN to support the crucial roles young Somalis play in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, reconciliation and governance. Failure to respond to the aspirations and needs of the country’s youth undermines the prospect for lasting peace and sustainable development in Somalia. In this regard, the UN Youth Strategy for Somalia offers an integrated framework to guide and coordinate the UN’s interventions for and with young people, contributing to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the United Nations in Somalia in line with the National Development Plan. The UN Somalia Youth Strategy views young people and their organizations as partners in all UN efforts, and places empowerment as a vital prerequisite for lasting transformation in Somalia. The multidimensional concept of empowerment – social, economic and political – provides ample scope for harmonizing approaches to youth policies and programming, while harnessing the full potential of youth to become recognized social and economic actors as well as peacebuilders. Currently, the UN youth portfolio in Somalia has invested in programming across six thematic priority areas: Employment & Entrepreneurship, Protection of Rights & Civic Engagement, Political Inclusion, Education & Skills Development, Health and Peacebuilding.