UN Human Rights Office Youth Steps

Since 2018, UN Human Rights has prioritized youth as a population group, aiming to put a spotlight on the human rights issues and concerns of youth, and to intensify its links with young people as well as youth-led and youth-focused organizations and movements.

The Office’s work to promote human rights with and for young people broadly falls into three categories:

• Project-based work funded by external donors, such as member States or foundations, with specific objectives or deliverables
• Mandated activities requested by the UN Human Rights Council
• Interagency cooperation in partnership with other UN entities, agencies, funds and programmes

In depth…

In 2019, UN Human Rights deployed a network of youth officers in Fiji, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Senegal and its headquarters in Geneva, to develop partnerships with and to support youth-led and youth-focused organizations in the promotion of human rights for youth and with youth. A key result of the network of youth officers has been more consistent and structured engagement with youth, and increased youth participation in shaping UN Human Rights’ youth agenda and actions.

In 2022, UN Human Rights launched a Youth Advisory Board in the context of its partnership with Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and Silatech on working with and for youth in vulnerable situations including conflict, violence and insecurity. The Youth Advisory Board plays a key role in providing input and feedback on the overall direction of the project partnership, ensuring youth participation throughout the process.

Where can I learn more?

More information including links to relevant reports and resources is available at:
ohchr.org/youth