A new generation of youth set to reimagine people-centred development, in Cotonou, Benin

Thirty years ago, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, a new global consensus emerged that put women and girls’ rights at the centre of sustainable development. This year, young people from around the world will gather to celebrate their contributions to progress and to propel the global agenda on youth rights and sustainable development at the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue in Cotonou, Benin.

The event, which has the theme “A new generation’s vision for the future,” will be held on 4–5 April, hosted by the Governments of Benin, Denmark and the Netherlands, together with UNFPA. The dialogue offers a platform for young people to reflect on the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action and to discuss what they think about their lives, what they would like to see happening, and whether their rights have been promoted, protected, secured.

Diverse young people from around the world, nominated by their youth-serving organizations and networks, will be joined by representatives of governments, international and intergovernmental organizations, United Nations entities and international non-governmental organizations. The dialogue will bring together young people from a wide range of socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, marginalized youth, indigenous youth, young people with disabilities and those of African descent.

More than 22 concurrent sessions have been planned for the two days, focusing on issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, education and employment, human rights, peace and humanitarian action, and youth participation and leadership. The specifics of each session are being defined by young leaders from the 23 youth-led and youth-serving organizations in the organizing committee of the global youth dialogue. Key messages and recommendations will be captured in the dialogue’s outcome document, which will serve as a resource for positioning young people’s perspectives and solutions into the Summit of the Future and other key global processes.

More information is in the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue FAQs.