Collective action based on universality, equity must

Kathmandu, April 16

Youth representative Jolly Amatya from Nepal recently addressed the UN General Assembly on behalf of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, where she stressed that despite great strides over the last century, regressions have been seen recently in many countries around the world.

Demanding a move beyond gross domestic product to indicators that measure well-being of all people — and of the planet — she called for a transition away from undemocratic societies to ones that are inclusive of all. “There is no future for an economic paradigm which puts growth and greed over people and planet, what we need is collective action that is based on universality and equity,” she said, as per a media release.

Noting that young people’s trust in institutions currently stands at an all-time low, she said the latter must be reformed and brought in line with the needs and expectations of populations. Moreover, people must be viewed as more than just their ‘value added’ and bring humanity back into the core principles that guide our decisions, she emphasised.

The collective statement linked the discussions and key recommendations from the Eighth ECOSOC Youth Forum that convened on April 8 and 9 under the theme ‘Empowered, Included, and Equal’ relating to the Future of Work and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

The recommendations came from more than 1,000 young leaders and advocates who called on the global community to deliver on their promise of future that is sustainable, safe, and equitable at the forum.

The United Nations had convened a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly during its 73rd session to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the theme ‘The future of work’ at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, on April 10 and 11.

“Young people know that there will be no 200th anniversary of the ILO if we continue to steamroll planetary boundaries, and do not take immediate and extreme action to reverse climate change.

There are no jobs to protect if we are all dead.”