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UN chief says not investing in youth around world amounts to "false economy"

13 August 2011 01:00 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said on Friday that young people have the power to create positive change, calling on the international community must invest in youth, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"Failing to invest in our youth is a false economy," he said in a statement. "Investments in young people will pay great dividends in a better future for all."

The statement was released on Friday on the annual International Youth Day, which was commemorated this year under the theme of "Change Our World."

"’Change Our World’ is more than the theme of this year’s International Youth Day; it is an injunction that should inspire young people at all times," said Ban.

The International Year of Youth, which also came to an end on Friday, was marked by events bringing young people together to achieve progress in the world under the theme of "Dialogue and Mutual Understanding."

"This day marks the end of the International Year of Youth, a milestone in global advocacy by and for the world’s young people," Ban said. "My hope is that this experience will now provide a foundation to go even further in harnessing the talents and energies of young people. To them I say: you have the opportunity to change our world. Seize it."

Ban said that the world’s youth are confronting sensitive issues and standing up for the oppressed.

"Young people are gifted with open minds and a keen awareness of emerging trends, and are bringing their energy, ideas and courage to some of the most complex and important challenges facing the human family," he said. "They often understand better than older generations that we can transcend our religious and cultural differences in order to reach our shared goals."

However, according to Ban, the young people of the world are not always getting the help they need.

"Far too many of the world’s more than 1 billion young people lack the education, freedom and opportunities they deserve," Ban said. "Yet, despite these constraints -- and in some cases because of them -- young people are mobilizing in growing numbers to build a better future."

He added that the international community should "continue to work together to expand the horizons of opportunity for these young women and men, and answer their legitimate demands for dignity, development and decent work."