An account of activities at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2019. April 8th-9th 2019, New York

1. E D I T O R I A L A N D L AY O U T D E S I G N B Y :
S K H U M B U Z O M Y E Z A
CEDRIC DZELU REPORT
ON HIS PARTICIPATION AT THE
UN ECOSOC
YOUTH FORUM
2019
I N C L U D E D , E M P O W E R E D A N D E Q U A L
NEW YORK

2. UN ECOSOC
YOUTH FORUM
2019 REPORT
#YOUTH2030
#WORLDYMCA
April 2019
BY: CEDRIC DZELU
WORLD YMCA
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT VOLUNTEER
cedricdzelu@gmail.com
03 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
04 BACKGROUND
05 YMCA POSITION STATEMENT AT THE UN ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM 2019
06 YMCA DELEGATION AT THE UN ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM IN PICTURES
07 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) UNDER REVIEW
08 17 TAKE HOMES FROM THE UN 2019 ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM
09 YMCA PRESENCE AT THE UN 2019 ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM
10 PERSONAL REFLECTION AND CLOSING STATEMENT
INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 02
TABLE OF CONTENT

3. “It is people that make people to become people”-African Proverb. I
thank dearly the Secretary General of the World YMCA, Mr. Carlos
Sanvee for creating this unique opportunity for myself and other young
people around the World to represent voices and aspirations of young
people at the highest body of youth gathering in the World.
I am heavily indebted to Justice Edward Asante, the President of the
ECOWAS Court, Patron Addoquaye of 37 AMTEC, Mr. Roger Crawford,
Founding President of Tennis Foundation Ghana and Mr Isaac Aboagye
Duah, the President of the Ghana Tennis Federation for responding to
my call for assistance like a battle cry in order to make this assignment a
reality.
To Dr. Omane Boamah, Dr. Mrs. Jemima Nunoo, Mr. Adi Davies, Mrs Gil
Harper, Ambassador Ramses Clealand, Mr. Romulo Dantas, Mr. Kwabena
Nketia, Nana Odenehu Amponsah, Mr.Reginald Ffoulkes Crabbe, Mr.
Giovanni Adinyira, Mr. Ernest Annoh Affoh (Sharp), Mr. Robert Nartey,
Mr. Raphael Nartey and Coach Doe Adjani, your leadership is one that I
always aspire to, you have prepared a boy from local level to the summit
of global engagement, I cannot thank you all enough.
INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 03
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

4. The outcome of the Forum will be a Presidential Statement, captur-
ing key outcomes of the discussions and findings of the Forum,
which will be made available to the ECOSOC High Level Segment
and the High-level Political Forum convened under the auspices of
ECOSOC in July 2019 and the General Assembly in September 2019.
An informal summary of the proceedings by the President of
ECOSOC with highlights of discussions will also be produced. Spe-
cific recommendations will also be shared with decision-makers of
these events, processes and frameworks linked to the various
sessions included in the agenda. The outcome will also contribute to
all ECOSOC formal events, to be organized in 2019.
Young people across the world who were unable to make it to this
meeting were highly encourage to follow and participate through
the digital space using the hashtag #YOUTH2030 and #WORLDYM-
CA.
INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 04
The ECOSOC Youth Forum is a platform where young people can
exchange ideas and develop recommendations on issues of impor-
tance to them, engaging in dialogue with Member States as well as
regional and global actors.
The 8th Annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth
Forum took place in New York from the 8th-9th April 2019 at a criti-
cal point in time as the world is working to address the disadvan-
tages of the current trends in globalization, which are not sufficient-
ly sustainable or inclusive. It addressed the theme, “Empowered,
Included and Equal”, which is aligned with the theme of ECOSOC
and the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) which focuses on inclu-
sion and equality in 2019.
The 2019 Youth Forum was a space for a broader dialogue that con-
siders the historic Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) and 2419
(2018) on youth, peace and security. The Youth Forum created a
space for a dialogue on youth actions and policy options that will be
used to feed into the High-Level Event on Youth, Peace and Security
that the President of the General Assembly will be convening in in
the near future.
BACKGROUND

5. INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 05
AT THE UN ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM
The World Alliance of YMCAs has had United Nations ECOSOC Con-
sultative Status since 1947, representing the needs of over 60
million people in 120 countries across 1200 communities. The World
YMCA has a strong local YMCA presence worldwide, with local
resources and global talents readily available with many inspiring
projects implemented by local YMCAs that can be presented as
global best practices for advancing the Sustainable Development
Goal.
Fast becoming the global leader in making young people’s voices
heard at the United Nations, the YMCA was prepared to participate
fully and meaningfully through the representation of its youth
volunteers drawn from around the world with different expertise on
local, national and international issues who have been groomed for
high level policy interaction and engagement.
Going to the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2019, the YMCA had a posi-
tion in three thematic areas; Employment, Environment and health.
These position papers are well grounded as evidence from the One
Million Voices,
YMCA POSITION
STATEMENT
World YMCA research conducted in 2015 where 20,000 young
people across 20 countries were surveyed on the hypothesis of
what concerns them in different areas of human endeavour.
In the area of employment the YMCA believes that young people
are valuable – and vulnerable - as economic participants. Every
young person has a right to contribute to the world’s development
and wellbeing; Young people are gifted creations of God and can
lead changes when equipped and supported; No young person
should be on a NEET (Not in education, employment or training)
situation; We should strengthen our programmes that create
opportunities and capabilities for enterprise and employability; We
should continue prioritizing radical improvement in youth employ-
ment and economic empowerment.
In the area of Environment the YMCA believes that; every young
person should live in a sustainable environment; we should be an
example of sustainable practices and respect for the environment;
young people should be given opportunities to learn and advocate
on environmental issues; every young person has the ability to con-
tribute to reducing environmental degradation and its consequenc-
es.
In the area of health the YMCA believes that health is a local and
personal concept. Yet, disease and illness know no borders; that the
YMCA is well position in local and national level to address health
concerns through program response and advocacy efforts; we need
to look in depth at our communities, our food systems, our environ-
ments and work place; Young people want more health-related
information on nutrition, body image and drug/alcohol abuse;
health is not just a good thing to aspire to, it is an essential part of
being human and a shared responsibility to help all people develop
their full potential as; young people have a responsibility to
preserve and protect their own health and that of the communities
in which they live; empowering people to be healthy in body, mind
and spirit is only possible by building healthy communities and
addressing social determinants; young people should be given
opportunities to learn and advocate on issues relating to health and
healthy living.

6. 06
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL

7. INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 07
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
(SDGS) UNDER REVIEW
There was a parallel sessions convened for the purpose of reviewing
and tracking the progress made in the implementation of these five
SDGs and recommendations were made for the implementation at
national, regional and global levels, it is also expected that the
recommendations will feed into other processes such as the UN
High Level meeting of Heads of States at the General Assembly
Meeting.
In the coming weeks, I will publish a comprehensive report on the
review of these SDGs and the recommendations that were
advanced.
PARALLEL THEMATIC SESSIONS - People, Prosperity, Planet and
Peaceful Societies.
Since 2015 when the Sustainable Development Goals were adopted
as part of Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly
2030 Agenda, there has not been any forum or activity to review
any of the SDGs at a global level, the UN 2019 ECOSOC Youth forum
however used the opportunity to review five of the SDGs that it
believes are very crucial towards the attainment of a people, pros-
perity, planet and peaceful societies.
THE SDGS THAT WERE REVIEWED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
growth, full and productive employment and decent work for
all.
impacts.
development, provide access to justice for all and build
effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

8. INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 08
1. The United Nations is fully aware that regardless of what has been achieved in the implementation of the SDGs, more needs to be done in
order to achieve the 2030 milestone.
2. Young people are at the very core of the processes, decision making and solutions in the attainment of the SDGs hence the active engagement
of young people is necessary for better result.
3. The SDGs that were reviewed are particular for human empowerment and are at the centre of the attainment of all the SDGs.
4. The 2030 agenda is not only an ambition it is our joint action, so let’s get to action.
5. There is the need for intergenerational cooperation and dialogue to address the needs of young people around the world.
6. Even in the most equal society in the world young people can still feel discriminated, not included and not equals.
7. Young people with disability/differently abled face double agony.
8. A great number of youth could not attend the meeting because of difficulties in obtaining Visa to the United States of America for the
meeting.
9. 2019 is a year of anniversary, the international labour organization is marking 100 years of existence and the population fund is seeing its 59th
anniversary this year.
10. Progress doesn’t happen when you are comfortable, it happens when the disempowered becomes empowered, when the marginalised
become included and those discriminated becomes equal.
11. No one can keep leaders accountable than the young people because they are the apparent heirs of the future.
12. Monitoring and evaluating should be at the heart of the implementation of the SDGs
13. While progress is being made in many areas, some decision makers are equally working to stifle progress and change.
14. Young people need to leverage on volunteering opportunities to open more doors for themselves and others.
15. Many governments and organizations are aggressively pursuing programs and project that empowers young people and creates better
opportunity for young people.
16. The differences in languages and cultures should be a source of forging great partnerships and building a peaceful and just world rather than
the opposite.
17. Our problems are manmade and we need to break ranks with all the things that makes us create those problems
17 TAKE HOMES
FROM THE UN 2019
ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM

9. When I got the rare opportunity to address the UN ECOSOC YOUTH
FORUM from the balcony, I addressed the question of how can we
improve on strategies to revitalize the implementation of the SDGs.
I submitted to the chamber to recognize and appreciate the work
and capacity of organizations that have global as well as local
capacities to implement the SDGs, I made example of the YMCA
which is located in 120 countries, reaching 60 million people in 1200
communities with the capacities to implement the SDGs.
I closed my submission by pressing upon the UN ECOSOC YOUTH
FORUM to strongly consider organizations like the YMCA in the
scheme of things to revitalize the implementation of the SDGs.
Please click on the UN Web TV logo to watch my address to the
chamber.
Aside these speeches, there were many other contributions from
members of the delegations during the breakout sessions and at
other thematic level discussions where members of the team
pressed home the voices and aspirations of young people in
addressing the SDGs.
INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 09
The YMCA was very present at the gathering of youth leaders for
the 2019 UN ECOSOC Forum, with a 20 member delegation, the
Secretary General of the World YMCA, Mr. Carlos Sanvee led the
team to reinforce the message of how crucial partnership is in
achieving the SDGs and called on governments and leaders in gen-
eral to eschew tokenism and embrace the full force of transforming
the lives of citizens and to develop their communities.
Please click the UN Web TV logo to watch the address by Mr. Carlos
Madjri Sanvee
On her part Dorina Davies the National General Secretary of the
Kosovo YMCA called on all governments and organizations to open
doors for young people and to appreciate the potential of young
people as a tool to addressing their challenges rather that seeing
young people as a problem.. Please click the UN Web TV logo to
watch her speech
YMCA
PRESENCE AT
THE UN 2019
ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFbbeuRizEM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfWIOCe2Vpc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqHOZ3XCYwM2FE-
vents&sort=date

10. INCLUDED, EMPOWERED AND EQUAL 10
PERSONAL REFLECTION
AND CLOSING
STATEMENT
An empowered, included and equal world is a world where all, both
young and old will be denied the opportunity to point to anything
as a barrier towards the attainment of their personal and communal
achievement, that they will live in a world where everything is possi-
ble and attainable.
My participation in this program has afforded me the opportunity to
deepen my roots in the rank and file of the YMCA and has given me
great opportunities and ideas to reach out to young people in their
communities and schools carrying the message of empowerment,
inclusivity and equality and to lead many projects to implement the
sustainable development goals.
I wish to use this opportunity to call on young people to step up,
speak up, stand up, volunteer and champion initiatives and projects
that seeks to create a better world for them and the next generation
because they are at the center of every SDG and there is not going
to be anything for young people without young people.
Cedric Dzelu
World YMCA Youth Empowerment Volunteer
I consider the opportunity to represent a Global Organization such
as the YMCA at the United Nations 2019 ECOSOC Youth Forum a life
time achievement in the same manner athletes will see themselves
representing their nation at the Olympics or at the FIFA World Cup,
mine is nothing short of that, perhaps it may even be more than
that.
Considering the live transforming work the YMCA is doing in 120
countries in 1200 communities impacting 60 million people, it was
truly an honour to be a flagbearer of the YMCA at such an important
meeting to present the voices, hopes, fears and aspirations of
millions of young people at the highest forum in order to influence
policies and decisions that will impact the lives of young people
around the world.
I have no doubt that young people around the world will appreciate
the fact that they have been represented by highly qualified young
ambassadors and they expect that in the not long distant future, the
impact of this meeting will be felt on the ground and in their lives.
An empowered, included and equal world is a world where all, both
young and old will be denied the opportunity to point to anything
as a barrier towards the attainment of their personal and communal
achievement, that they will live in a world where everything is possi-
ble and attainable.

11. E D I T O R I A L A N D L AY O U T D E S I G N
S P O N S O R E D B Y :
i n f o @ i m b a s a . n e t