Assessment and Mapping of United Nations Research on Youth

In recognition of the importance of youth to development and in the spirit of “Delivering as one UN”, the organizations of the United Nations (UN) System have decided to work together to take stock of what research these organizations have been undertaking on youth, as well as to map out future directions for youth research. The United Nations has long recognized the importance of addressing the principles, ideals and potentials of young women and men in order to achieve society’s goals and targets. In 1995, the United Nations adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY). This programme of action provides a general policy framework in which priority areas have been identified to ensure that all young women and men are given opportunity to reach their full potential, both as individuals and as active participants in the process of development. The WPAY covers fifteen priority areas: education, employment, poverty and hunger, the environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure-time activities, health, girls and young women, HIV/AIDS, information and communications technology, inter-generational issues, armed conflict, the mixed impact of globalization, and the full and effective participation of youth in society and in decision-making.