2 November 2013: Youth leaders from slums in Kenya shared their perspectives on development and their priorities for the post-2015 development agenda with the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), John Ashe, in a discussion in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants highlighted the role of agriculture and food security, education, peace and women’s empowerment in building an equitable, sustainable and safer world.

Participants called for a bottom-up approach to formulating the post-2015 agenda, stressing the importance of engaging local communities in development processes. Ashe agreed that the post-2015 agenda should be developed in an inclusive manner, rather than the top-down approach that led to the creation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Still, Ashe recognized “the world is a better place because we had the MDGs.”

Participants also emphasized the importance of empowerment and peace in achieving sustainable development. Empowering women “empowers the whole community,” according to one participant. Another said information and communication technologies (ICTs) can support youth participation and empowerment. A third participant emphasized “without peace, you cannot have development.”

Ashe outlined the process for formulating the post-2015 development agenda and reiterated his intention to convene a series of high-level events on: the role of civil society, youth and women; human rights and the rule of law; and South-South cooperation and ICT for development. He plans to hold thematic debates on: water, sanitation and sustainable energy; contributions of stable and peaceful societies to development; and partnerships. [UNGA Press Release] [IISD RS Guest Article by John Ashe] [IISD RS Story on Priorities of Incoming UNGA President Ashe]