Siraj Sait
Moderator
This SDGs in Action event focuses on creating youth-friendly and inclusive cities through youth-led initiatives highlighting best practices from around the world, particularly Egypt and the United Kingdom (UK). It will bring together policymakers, academics, practitioners, and community leaders, and youth representatives to consider the importance of creating youth-friendly and healthy cities.
First, the Egyptian government and Ministry of Youth and Sports will present on how youth centers, youth hostels, and other facilities can be designed and managed to provide a positive and enriching experience for young people in urban areas to increase their wellbeing and capacities. It will draw linkages between sustainable urbanization and the SDGs to ensure that no one is left behind in cities, with a particular focus on SDG localization in the domains of culture, economy, society, environment, health, and governance.
Second, in a ground-breaking project, University of East London (UEL) and London Borough of Newham, funded by the National institute for Health Research (NIHR), engaged with over 500 young people and supported 30 youth champions as youth policymakers, diplomats, and parliamentarians to renegotiate a new social contract to deliver more effective decision-making and participation in delivery of local health services. Using youth-responsive tools and human rights-based approaches, from the Global Land Tool Network and the Quezon City Framework for Developing a New Social Contract, the UEL Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity, working with 85+ GLTN partners is supporting climate action, gender equality, and youth empowerment toward achieving land rights and sustainable urbanisation for all.
• To discuss youth-friendly and healthy cities and communities and its importance for creating an inclusive and supportive urban environment for youth and adolescents.
• To showcase best practices from around the world in involving young people in decision-making on shaping sustainable and healthy cities and communities.
• To highlight the role of the Egyptian government and Ministry of Youth and Sports in leading efforts to create youth-friendly cities and promote sustainable urbanization.
• To present learnings from a successful NIHR-funded project in Newham, UK, through presentations from University of East London, Rotary International, and partners.
• To develop actionable recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders in creating more youth-friendly urban services and environments.
• To consider how networks, such as the Global Land Tool Network, can strengthen youth capacity and leadership in creating real change and promoting effective youth-led decision- making.