…Global youth leaders spearhead new initiative to prioritize health, equity, and climate action.
By Bunmi Yekini
The World Health Organization (WHO) Youth Council has launched its inaugural Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies, a powerful call to action developed by young leaders from around the globe. Unveiled at the World Health Summit in Berlin, this declaration outlines a bold vision for youth to take a central role in shaping healthier, safer societies for all.
Kate Ndocko, a WHO Youth Council member, emphasized the significance of the moment: “The WHO Youth Council is proud to be issuing its first Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies. This Declaration represents our collective commitment and priorities to help communities, especially youth, at local, regional, and global levels, to be healthier and more resilient in the face of the many health challenges the world faces today as well as the ones ahead.”
The declaration sets forth 10 key calls to action designed to empower youth and ensure their involvement in critical health and societal reforms. These include promoting equity and inclusion in education, advancing digital and climate literacy, and amplifying youth leadership in health policy. Moreover, the declaration calls for the creation of “brave spaces” to protect young people from societal and institutional barriers such as violence, harassment, and discrimination.
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Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised the initiative and said “WHO is committed to amplifying the voices of young people to realise our shared vision of health for all. The Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies, issued by the WHO Youth Council, channels the ideas, advice, and action of youth into a powerful call for change.”
One of the central themes of the declaration is the urgent need for youth participation in governance. Rehman Hassan, a WHO Youth Council member from the Act4Food campaign, stressed that youth involvement is critical: “We can no longer afford to squander the advice, skills, and energy of young people in transforming our communities, policies, and the planet at large.”
The WHO Youth Council, established in 2023, is a diverse global network designed to ensure that young people have a say in shaping public health policy. With representatives from a wide array of organizations, including the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations and the Climate Cardinals, the council aims to be a platform for action, innovation, and collaboration. Through their work, they hope to drive the changes necessary to create a healthier future for all.
Calls to Action:
- Ensure access, equity, and inclusion for youth in education, particularly in healthcare.
- Promote comprehensive national curricula on health, climate change, and digital literacy.
- Advocate for inclusive, prevention-focused healthcare, especially for marginalized youth.
- Call for greater investment in youth leadership to address health and climate challenges.
As Ndocko highlighted, “Young people are the most underrepresented group in governance, yet half of the world’s population is aged under 30. It is high time we engage them and incorporate their solutions for a healthier way forward.”
The WHO Youth Council’s declaration marks a significant step towards recognizing and implementing the contributions of youth in global health. With its vision for an equitable, inclusive, and healthier future, the council has set the stage for transformative change.