23 November 2017: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), together with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), have jointly launched the Youth Policy Toolbox. The Toolbox is an online repository of knowledge, experiences, and good practices that aims to enhance information sharing, communication, and collaboration among policymakers and young people.

The Toolbox includes training modules, opinion polls, message postings, and a contact database of all relevant UN bodies, government ministries, and youth organizations, as well as publications and videos. It was launched during an Interregional Youth Policy Forum that convened from 21-23 November 2017, in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Interregional Youth Policy Forum, hosted by ESCAP and organized in collaboration with ECA, ESCWA and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), sought to facilitate dialogue and exchange of experiences between policymakers and civil society, as part of ESCAP’s ongoing work in strengthening the capacities of governments to develop youth inclusive policies. It brought together about 100 participants from across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Western Asia, including government officials, academics, representatives of youth-led organizations, and regional and international bodies.

Participants emphasized the need to: promote high-quality technical vocational education training; provide national internship programmes; and create employment centers for young people. They also underscored the role of innovation and information and communications technology (ICT) in encouraging youth participation in sustainable development and decision-making processes.

Kaveh Zahedi, ESCAP, highlighted the issue of inequality, noting that within countries, the wealthiest 20% have attendance ratios in secondary education, which are over five times greater than the poorest 20%. [Youth Policy Toolbox] [ESCAP Press Release on Interregional Youth Policy Forum] [Interregional Youth Policy Forum Webpage]