draft concept note wcy annex 02

DRAFT Concept Note World Conference on Youth (3rd
February 2014)
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DRAFT CONCEPT NOTE
6th
– 10th
MAY, COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
"Youth should be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making of local,
national and global levels."
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH
YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT
Strengthening Inclusive Youth Participation and Partnerships in the
Development and Implementation of the Post- 2015 Development Agenda
"With half of the world population under 25 years, youth must be the driving force and in the
driver seat of the new development agenda. Let's prove that our generation can end extreme
poverty, ensure sustainability, protect human dignity and address the inequality"."
United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmed Alhindawi

February 2014)
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A. BACKGROUND1
The United Nations2
defines youth as between the ages of 15 and 24. For the sake of the report,
this definition has been expanded to the ages of 15 and 29 to acknowledge varying regional
differences and ensure maximum mobilization. Based on the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, the number of young people aged 15-29 are
expected to rise from 2015 to 2030. With youth being a critical population for the post-2015
development agenda, it is important to note the impact of an increase in individuals aged 15-
29. As seen in Figure 1 below, the number of young people living in under-developed regions
far surpasses the number of individuals living in developed regions.
By the year 2030, the number of young people is expected to increase in the less developed
and least developed regions, whereas a decrease in total population of young people is
expected in more developed regions. This suggests that the need for youth empowerment is
especially important, as many of the young people will be living in under-developed regions.
Additionally, by viewing the
breakdown of young people
living in various regions of
the world, we can observe
many of the youth live in the
developing world. It can be
determined that a significant
proportion of young people
are living in regions that are
classified as developing by
the IMF, like parts of Asia
and Africa. Moreover, these
regions are expected to show
an increase in the amount of
young women and men
through 2030.
1
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/documents/wyr10/Brief%20demographic.pdf
2
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/unpp/panel_indicators.htm

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A geographic map, provided by the Kaiser Foundation, allows us to observe the global median
age by country3
. The median age of the majority of Africa consists of young women and men
aged 15-29. Additionally, parts of Southern and Western Asia and South America comprise of
many young individuals. As these numbers are expected to increase over the next 15 years,
there must be an accurate representation of youth participation in creating policy for the
developing world. This verifies the importance of ensuring young women and men having a
voice in the post-2015 development agenda.
At present4
62 per cent of the world’s youth live in Asia and 17 per cent (the next largest
proportion) live in Africa; the population of young men and women in the two regions totals -
to 960 million. By the middle of the twenty-first century, the proportion of youth living in Asia is
expected to decline to 53 per cent, while in Africa the proportion will likely rise significantly to
29 per cent (United Nations, 2009b). Although there are no disaggregated data on youth living
below the poverty line, it is evident that a substantial number of young people reside in areas in
which poverty constitutes a major challenge. Approximately 64 per cent of youth in Africa and
84 per cent in Asia live in countries where at least one third of the population subsists on less
than US$ 2 per day (United Nations, 2009b; World Bank, 2007).
Youth are also concentrated in areas with limited access to basic social services. Employment is
an integral part of the transition to adulthood and plays a central role in the social integration
3
http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/data/topic/map.aspx?ind=81
4
Discussion Paper on Youth Rights and Citizenship – Civic Engagement of Young Women and Young Men, UN-
Habitat (2012)

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of young people. It provides youth with economic security and facilitates their
participation in society at multiple levels. Youth access to employment essentially translates
into income and resource access, both of which are pivotal to shaping adaptive capacity (United
Nations, 2007b). However, young people continue to be overrepresented among the world’s
unemployed; in 2007, youth comprised only 25 per cent of the working-age population but
accounted for more than 40 per cent of those who were jobless (International Labour Office,
2008). The global youth unemployment rate for 2007 stood at 12 per cent, or three times the
adult rate. In South-East Asia and the Pacific, youth unemployment rates as high as six times
those of adults have been recorded (International Labour Office, 2008).
For the vast majority of youth living in developing countries, unemployment rates tell only a
part of the story. For young people in these areas, informal, non-secure and low-wage
employment is the norm, with labour activity among youth concentrated in agriculture and
related industries and in the informal sector. More than 79 per cent of the world’s youth live in
Africa, Asia, and Oceania, where employment in agriculture comprises at least 35 per cent of
total employment (World Bank, 2008a; United Nations, 2009b). In sub-Saharan Africa, for
example, agriculture accounts for 65 per cent of employment (World Bank, 2008a). In several
Asian countries youth employment has shifted towards manufacturing or services, but
agriculture remains a significant employer of young workers, especially the younger segment of
the youth cohort (Asian Development Bank, 2008). Beyond providing more decent and more
stable job opportunities for the young people, another key method in combating youth
unemployment rates lies in developing their capacities and skill set through fostering vocational
training programs and non-formal education initiatives, including massive volunteer
engagement. Such programs allow young people to develop entry roads into employment
through capacity and skills development as well as through the development of leadership roles
and key cognitive and relational skills needed to succeed in an ever more complex work
environment.
Education, both formal and non-formal, is another essential element in the transition to
adulthood. However, a substantial number of young people in developing countries continue to
face challenges relating access to a quality education. Although the global youth literacy rate
increased from 84 per cent during the period 1985-1994 to 89 per cent during the period 2000-
2006, progress has been uneven, with youth literacy rates below 80 per cent recorded in sub-
Saharan Africa and in Southern and Western Asia (United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, 2008). Secondary enrolment levels are as low as 25 per cent in some
Pacific countries and 16 per cent in parts of Asia, but the lowest rates are found among youth in
Africa (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2008). Large disparities
in quality of education and access to it exist within countries owing to factors such as income,
location, gender, and ethnicity.
Given the rapidly growing population of young people in the Global South and an attendant
evolution in the challenges and opportunities they face, it is more important than ever before
that global peace and sustainable human development processes and dialogues should work
for the benefit of youth, be undertaken with youth as partners, and be shaped by youth

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leaders. Young people have shown themselves to be – very enthusiastic and
willing to contribute to peace and development as volunteers, participants - community leaders
and global advocates, where it seeks -active support from our end for their engagement and
leadership.
B. YOUTH AND MDG’S5
:
The United Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted in 2000 by world leaders, committing
their countries to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out time-
bound goals in meeting the needs of the world’s poorest. These goals, to be achieved by 2015,
formed the basis for what is now known as the eight Millennium Development Goals, which
have been broken down into 21 quantified targets that are measured by 60 indicators.
Many youth remain marginalized from social and economic opportunities, with limited access
to essential resources. Eighty-seven per cent of the youth population lives in developing
countries, and nearly 45 per cent of all youth globally lives on less than 2 dollars a day. Youth
are among the most vulnerable of all persons which the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) aim to reach. Whether it is poverty, hunger, lack of education, maternal mortality,
unemployment, environmental degradation or HIV/AIDS, the impact on young people can be
far greater than on their older counterparts. This is because many young people often lack
access to information,-education, opportunities for civic participation and engagement, social
influence and basic rights, – which are often overlooked in national development agendas.
Therefore, young people’s participation and inclusion in efforts to achieve all of the goals are
crucial to ensure a successful and sustainable outcome.
C. SRI LANKA AND MDGs
Sri Lanka as a Member State of the United Nations and committed to the UN Charter is working
diligently to fulfill its national and global responsibilities in achieving the Millennium
Development Goals. The Sri Lanka National Campaign for Achieving the MDGs is spearheaded
and administered by the Ministry of Finance and Planning, with the support of the UN Country
Team and with direct implementation assistance by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP). The National Council for Economic Development (NCED) brings together
stakeholders from the private and state sectors to develop economic policies and action plans.
The “Mahinda Chinthana 10 year development framework” clearly specifies the Government’s
commitment for the achievement of MDGs for all Sri Lankans across the entire country. The
Government in its budget preparations has called to relate the MDG key performance
indicators of ministries to the budgetary process. With peace and stability returning, Sri Lanka
has a unique opportunity to focus more on the MDGs, especially addressing those related to
regional imbalances. While Sri Lanka is well on track in achieving most of the MDGs’ - by 2015
at the national level, the country should consider “MDG plus” goals - while moving from the
5
http://social.un.org/index/Youth/YouthintheUN/YouthandtheMDGs.aspx

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national level to MDG localization at provincial and regional levels. Sri Lanka
is constantly seeking to adopt innovative methods in working with youth in the achievement of
MDG goals.
D. SRI LANKA’S COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION
The youth population of the country is 26 per cent of its 20 million people. Sri Lanka can share
good practices in addressing youth issues. Our experience has shown that youth related issues
are directly linked to the country’s peace and security. In this regard ensuring their access to
education, health and productive employment remains critical. Recognizing this reality,
committed investments in the health and education sectors and targeted social protection
schemes have been the cornerstones of Sri Lanka’s social policies. Sri Lanka’s development
policy framework has been premised on a set of higher level multiple goals focusing on
economic growth, redistributive justice, reduction of absolute poverty, employment
generation, balanced regional development and increased environmental sustainability. These
policies have enabled Sri Lanka to deliver desirable human development outcomes in a
consistent manner.
In order to broaden the employment opportunities for our youth and enable them to compete
better in job markets, the Ministry of Youth Affairs is integrated with skill development – a
single entity making it the 3rd
largest segment in the annual budget. We encourage our youth to
be innovative and creative. The 2010 United Nations General Assembly outcome document on
the MDGs has also endorsed a similar call for effecting such improvements.
In post-conflict Sri Lanka, policy makers and leaders are seeking to create a more secure, better
and progressive environment for the youth of our country. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Skills Development and institutions under its supervision such as the National Youth Services
Council of Sri Lanka have established youth capacity building programmes throughout the
country to impart entrepreneurial skills, social and life-skills, non-violent conflict resolution, and
vocational training to increase their overall capacity for a gainful employment and enhance
their quality of life. The network of Youth Centers under the National Youth Services Council
has outreached to 12,000 villages out of the 14,000 total villages across the country. Vocational
training centers have been re-established in the North and the East to provide opportunities to
those youth who missed the school education during the conflict. Special programmes called
“Catch-up School Programmes” have been set up to ensure completion of secondary education
for former young adult and child combatants.
A Youth Parliament of Sri Lanka was conceived and implemented to mark the International Year
of Youth. The Youth Parliament comprises 412 members between the age group 15 and 26
years representing all ethnic communities in the country. 25 per cent of the young
parliamentarians are from the recently reconciled areas. The impetus for setting up the Youth
Parliament was to create leaders or representatives nurtured in the finest democratic ideals
and practices. It also provides an important opportunity in post-conflict Sri Lanka to foster
ideals of peace, solidarity and harmony among the country’s younger generation. These
aspiring leaders in the Youth Parliament could one day meaningfully contribute in
strengthening and revitalizing the country’s democratic institutions, democratic governance

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and further promote ideals of peace, tolerance and justice. Having a stable
and peaceful environment is a key foundation in achieving MDG targets by 2015 and Sri Lanka is
on course to reach them at milepost.
E. YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES
The post-2015 process has brought together6
different initiatives ranging from regional
consultations to national consultations to thematic
consultations, incorporating thematic inputs by young
people through online and offline platforms. It is
crucial to recognize youth participation and
partnership in development of the post-2015 agenda.
The analysis of national consultations, high-level
panel meetings, thematic meetings and regional
forums on youth empowerment show that a
multitude of factors need to be addressed in the post-
2015 agenda to ensure sustainable development.
These factors include education, health care, gender equality, youth unemployment, climate
change, prevention of violence and environmental degradation, good governance, peace and
security and most importantly youth partnerships both at individual level and collective level.
The consultations have also powerfully underlined that young people are the ones who will
inherit the decisions made today, but more importantly that they need to be actively involved
in shaping the agenda as it evolves. Young people, as agents of change, present an incredible
potential that needs to be leveraged constructively and systematically.
MyWorld2015 Global Survey and Worldwewant2015 People’s Platforms - My World is a United
Nations global survey for citizens. The MyWorld2015 Survey has reached more than 1 million
people by September 2013 through online, mobile and offline outreach programs conducted by
countless dedicated volunteers all over the world. Working with the partners, the aim of the
survey is to capture people’s voices, priorities and views, so world leaders can be informed as
they begin the process of defining the next set of global goals to end poverty. MyWorld2015
permits individuals to statistically determine and validate what is important for young people.
As echoed by country declarations, high level panel meetings, regional forums and other
related forums, the data also suggests the factors like education, health care, employment,
equality in all forms of rights, and ending corruption are important in the post-2015
development agenda.
6
Draft Report, Incremental Steps in Strengthening Youth Voices and Actions in the Post-2015 Development
Agenda, prepared by UNMC and UN-Habitat for UN Inter Agency Network on Youth Development, January
2014
“Youth participation is
fundamental for the post-2015
agenda. Their vision and energy
will be needed to do the heavy
lifting in its implementation.”
Special Adviser to the Secretary-
General on Post-2015
Development
Amina J. Mohammed

February 2014)
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Specifically, it was shown that the most important priority for global youth is
a good education, with 74.4% of respondents classifying the priority as one of their choices. By
viewing the data based on conditions like low HDI countries versus high HDI countries, it can be
noted that factors like better transport and roads are more important for youth in lower HDI
countries compared to higher HDI countries (45.3% of respondents classifying this priority as
one of their choices in low HDI countries versus 9.4% of respondents classifying this priority in
very high HDI countries). Performing such a thorough analysis from the myworld2015.org data
can aid in developing agendas that suit various regions and demographics of youth.
The largest contributors to the My World 2015 survey have been youth. Worldwide about
69% of respondents both offline and online are young people below the age of 30 years old7
.
Moreover offline surveys, carrying paper ballots to the most remote areas, were conducted
primarily by young volunteers, who have demonstrated the desire of young people not just to
be consulted, but to actively contribute to the global efforts, determining the priorities for the
next decades. We specially want to recognize the agency of youth, youth-led and volunteer
organizations and movements that have come from all backgrounds to partner and mobilize
votes.
7
http://www.data.myworld2015.org/

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The survey, as well as the consultations overall, have demonstrated that
“there is a need to engage people, more specifically the youth. In the formulation of the
development agenda, which in many ways can tie into a desire for increased volunteerism that
can empower youth, transform the often passive relationship between citizen and state in
addressing development challenges, and provide work skills”8
.
STRONG YOUTH FOCUS IN THE HIGH LEVEL PANEL REPORT9
:
A NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP: ERADICATE
POVERTY AND TRANSFORM ECONOMIES THROUGH
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - The Report of the
High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-
2015 Development Agenda
The High-Level Panel identified the following issues
in its report to the UN Secretary-General: Young
people asked for education beyond primary
schooling, not just formal learning but life skills and
vocational training to prepare them for jobs. In
countries where they have acquired good education
and skills, they want access to decent jobs. They want opportunities to lift themselves out of
poverty. They crave mentoring, career development and programmes led by youth, serving
youth. Young people said they want to be able to make informed decisions about their health
and bodies, to fully realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). They want
access to information and technology so they can participate in their nation’s public life,
especially charting its path to economic development. They want to be able to hold those in
charge to account, to have the right to freedom of speech and association and to monitor where
their government’s money is going.
Youth indented as a crosscutting in all twelve’s goals listed in the HLP: ..Today’s adolescents
and youth are 1.8 billion strong and one quarter of the world’s population. They are shaping
social and economic development, challenging social norms and values, and building the
foundation of the world’s future. They have high expectations for themselves and their societies,
and are imagining how the world can be better. Connected to each other as never before
through new media, they are driving social progress and directly influencing the sustainability
and the resilience of their communities and of their countries. These young people face many
obstacles, ranging from discrimination, marginalization and poverty to violence. They find it
8
Kyrgyzstan national post-2015 report, thematic areas: Values, p16.
9
i) end poverty; (ii) empower girls and women and achieve gender equality; (iii) provide quality education and
lifelong learning; (iv) ensure healthy lives; (v) ensure food security and good nutrition; (vi) achieve universal
access to water and sanitation; (vii) secure sustainable energy; (viii) create jobs, sustainable livelihoods and
equitable growth; (ix) manage natural resource assets sustainably; (x) ensure good governance and effective
institutions; (xi) ensure stable and peaceful societies; and (xii) create a global enabling environment and
catalyze long-term finance.
The Secretary-General’s High-Level
Panel of eminent persons on the
Post-2015 Development Agenda
“Young people must be subjects, not
objects, of the post-2015 development
agenda… they must also be active
participants in decision-making, and
be treated as the vital asset for society
that they are.”1

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hard to find a first job, so we believe a jobs target with a specific indicator for
youth employment should be included in the next goal framework. Young people must be
subjects, not objects, of the post-2015 development agenda. They need access to the right kind
of health (including access to SRHR) and education to improve their job prospects and life skills,
but they must also be active participants in decision-making, and be treated as the vital asset
for society that they are.
HLP Goal Indicators: While many indicators have a clear connection to youth, some examples
below are more close to the youth cohort:
 2a. Prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against girls and women
 3c. Ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to lower secondary education
and increase the proportion of adolescents who achieve recognized and measurable learning
outcomes to x%
 4b. Increase by x% the proportion of children, adolescents, at-risk adults and older people
that are fully vaccinated
 8b. Decrease the number of young people not in education, employment or training by x%
 8c. Strengthen productive capacity by providing universal access to financial services and
infrastructure such as transportation and ICT
 10b. Ensure people enjoy freedom of speech, association, peaceful protest and access to
independent
 10c. Increase public participation in political processes and civic engagement at all levels
 10d. Guarantee the public’s right to information and access to government data
 10e. Reduce bribery and corruption and ensure officials can be held accountable
 11c. Stem the external stressors that lead to conflict, including those related to organised
crime
 2f. Promote collaboration on and access to science, technology, innovation and development
data
Others areas relevant to youth mentioned in HLP
• …They (developing countries) already contribute the most to global growth and expansion of
global trade. They have young, dynamic populations. They are urbanizing, modernizing and
absorbing new technologies faster than ever before. But they face critical choices. The
infrastructure investments they make today will lock-in energy use and pollution levels
tomorrow. The way they manage natural resource revenues today will determine the
options available to their young people tomorrow. They must make smart choices to turn
cities into vibrant places full of opportunities, services and different lifestyles, where people
want to work and live.
• Urbanization as a crosscutting issue: This matters because inclusive growth emanates from
vibrant and sustainable cities, the only locale where it is possible to generate the number of
good jobs that young people are seeking.

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F. OBJECTIVES OF THE WCY 2014
It is hoped that the following objectives are reviewed collectively by all Member States and all
relevant stakeholders.
 To create an inclusive youth participation platform that enables youth to review the
progress of MDGs, share ideas, experiences and innovative approaches for effectively
contributing to the post-2015 agenda and its implementation.
 To facilitate a process that increases awareness on the World Programme for Action on
Youth, and further strengthens inclusive youth participation in the decision-making
processes of the post-2015 development agenda.
 To facilitate effective partnerships with youth and youth-led organizations and youth
movements in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
 To establish a permanent youth engagement platform that ensures consistent follow-up
mechanisms with young people and further boosts their engagement and partnership in
the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda at national, regional and
global levels.
G. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
 COLOMBO YOUTH ACTION ROAD MAP 2014 - youth participation and partnerships in
development - calling for a youth-focused goal and indicators in the post-2015
development framework (this will be the communiqué of the World Conference on Youth)
 Increased awareness on the World Programme for Action on Youth
 Increased intergenerational dialogue to encourage inclusive youth engagement in
global/regional/national/ local development
 Increased commitment on youth policy with effective engagement of young people
 Increased efforts to strengthen and boost the establishment of national youth councils
 Establishment of a World Youth Fund on Youth Engagement in the implementation of the
Post-2015 agenda
 Establishment of youth-friendly capitals and cities
 Promoting and strengthening youth volunteering opportunities worldwide
 Advocating for the establishment of a UN Permanent Forum on Youth
 Increased investment and resources on youth development and participation including
increase in Overseas Development Aid on youth issues
 Agreed definition on youth

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H. PROPOSED FOUNDATIONS AND THEMES
The following foundations, crosscutting issues and themes have been prioritized by the youth-
led International Youth Task Force to the World Conference on Youth (see annex for details).
These have been drawn from the World Programme for Action on Youth, priorities identified by
the youth-led global survey My World 2015 and the outcome from the report of the High-Level
Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda - a New Global Partnership:
Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development.
FOUNDATIONS & CROSS CUTTING ISSUES THEMES
1. Achieving Good Governance and
Accountability
1. Realizing Equal Access to Quality
Education
2. Inclusive Youth Participation at all levels 2. Full Employment and
Entrepreneurship
3. Youth Rights 3. Poverty Eradication and Food Security
4. Globalization/ Inclusive Youth Led-
Development (MOI)
4. Promoting Healthy Lives and Access to
Health
5. Ending Systemic Inequalities 5. Environmental Protection, Emergency
Preparedness and Youth Centered
Urbanization
6. Gender Equality 6. Realizing Peace, Reconciliation and
Ending Violence
7. Empowering Marginalized Youth
including Most at Risk Young People
7. Ensuring Inclusive Recreation, Sports
and Cultures
I. AGENDA
The agenda will be soon available on the website highlighting the above mentioned objectives,
outcomes, foundations, crosscutting issues and themes of the World Conference on Youth.
J. YOUTH-CENTERED PROCESS
The Sri Lankan Government will take measures to ensure that the forthcoming UN World
Conference is not just a one-off event on youth. We firmly believe that, in order to make an
impact in partnership with youth we need to invest in a youth-centered preparatory process

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leading to the Conference and most importantly, a commitment to a follow-
up phase in partnership with young people in the implementation of the post-MDG
development agenda.
The following is a brief description of the proposed three phases:
1. Youth Centered Preparatory Processes (2012-2014)
It is envisaged that this process will support youth-led processes in the post-MDG agenda that
enable their effective participation in contributing to key sessions that will shape the post-2015
development agenda. It will be vital to work closely with governments, UN agencies, youth
organizations and other stakeholders that are supporting young people men to effectively
engage in discussions related to the above. The preparatory process will cover various regions
and work with ongoing regional processes that are shaping the post-2015 agenda. We urge
governments and key actors to join us in the preparatory process. The main goal here is to
support young people to be able partners in the development of the Post-MDG agenda, so that
when they participate in the Conference in 2014, they are able to share the role they played
and the success of their contributions.
2. World Conference on Youth 2014 (May 2014)
The conference itself will allow for joint reflection and consolidation of experiences from the
preparatory processes and also act as a springboard for strengthening the partnership with
youth in the implementation of the post-2015 agenda. This will also provide an opportunity to
create a multi-stakeholder intergenerational commitment to boost youth partnerships in
implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. Furthermore, this will provide a critical
platform for magnifying the need for youth-focused indicators in the potential goals and targets
of the post-2015 development framework, as called by the SG’s Envoy on Youth. Furthermore,
the outcomes of the said World Conference on Youth, including the “Colombo Youth Acton
Plan” will be extensively shared at national, regional and global meeting including the ECOSOC
Youth Forum, the 66th
Session of the UN General Assembly, etc.
3. Youth Centered Follow-Up Process (May 2014 until Beyond 2015 – 2020)
Past lessons clearly show that lack of investment in follow-up can derail the work, enthusiasm
and energy to reach the next significant milepost. We strongly feel the need for the
commitment of all stakeholders in the follow-up phase so that youth can be supported to
become effective partners in the realization of the development goals in the post-2015 agenda.
K. RESOURCE COMMITMENT BY SRI LANKA
The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to undertaking the responsibility in facilitating and
leading the processes up to 2014, in organizing the World Conference on Youth in Sri Lanka and
then setting up a follow-up plan and mechanism. The Government of Sri Lanka is willing to take
the responsibility in organizing the groundwork for the global process with global ownership
which will enable young people to contribute to the decision making process for a post-2015
development agenda as well as discuss their partnership in its implementation. Sri Lanka as a

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Member State of the United Nations and in order to fulfill its commitment
towards global cooperation and support for youth is willing to undertake the financial cost of
facilitating and hosting a World Conference on Youth in 2014.
L. PARTNERSHIPS
The Government of Sri Lanka would like to invite all Member States to this pioneering process.
We seek advice from the UN, Youth-led Organizations and other stakeholders, including youth
volunteering organizations to make this a truly youth centered experience. An International
Youth Task Force has been established to prepare the youth-led agenda (see Annex).
M. EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS
The conference will bring together young people from world over with a special focus on under-
represented youth with a gender and regional balance. WCY is a truly intergenerational
conference brings together youth, Members States, Ministers of Youth, the SG’s Envoy on
Youth, Aides, regional intergovernmental organizations (EU, ASEAN, African Union, Ibero-
America, Arab League, SAARC etc), UN Agencies (including members of the Un Inter-Agency
Network on Youth Development), academics, corporate leaders, donor agencies, foundations,
celebrities, media and other actors.
It is important that a gender and diversity balance is maintained in the group of young people
who participate in the World Conference on Youth.
 Youth in the age group of 15 – 29 are encouraged to apply.
 A balance is needed in gender (at least 50% of participants should be women); place of
residence (urban/rural) etc.
 Focus on under-represented youth, such as indigenous youth, young people with
disabilities, LGBTQI, former youth combatants, sex workers, rehabilitated youth, young
people affected by HIV/AIDS, young migrants, religious/ethnic minorities, etc.
 Youth from youth-led organizations, youth-led networks and youth-led movements
 It is suggested that young people are selected/elected through a democratic, transparent
and inclusive processes under the principle of representativity.
 Total number of participants: 1500 Delegates
Contact Information:-
Email : wcy.secretariat@srilankayouth.lk
Web Site : http://www.wcy2014.com
Twitter : www.twitter.com/wcy_2014

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Annex: MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TASK FORCE OF THE
WORLD YOUTH CONFERENCE
1. Mr. Adhil Bakeer Makar (Sri Lanka UN Youth Delegate 2013/ Sri Lanka)
2. Mr. Ajanthan Sivathas (Emerging Young Leader 2011/ Sri Lanka)
3. Ms. Anush Aghabalyan (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts/Armenia)
4. Mr. Benson Saulo (National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy/Australia)
5. Ms. Chapa Madhushanki Perera (Sri Lanka UN Youth Delegate 2013/ Sri Lanka)
6. Ms. Christine Sudbrock ( International Falcon Movement-Socialist Educational International,
Belgium)
7. Mr. Christopher Dekki (IMCS-Pax Romana/USA & Syria)
8. Mr. Du Dong (All-China Youth Federation/China)
9. Mr. Ishan Jalil (Chairperson Young Voices, Organization of Youth with Disabilities/ Sri Lanka)
10. Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake (Sri Lanka UN Youth Delegate 2012/ Sri Lanka)
11. Mr. Lloyd Russell-Moyle (European Youth Forum/United Kingdom)
12. Mr. Maduka Wickramarachchi (Diplomat- Ministry of External Affairs/ Sri Lanka)
13. Ms. Malena Barbara Fama ( Latin American Youth Forum/ Argentina)
14. Mr. Milinda Rajapaksha (Working Director, National Youth Services Council/ Sri Lanka)
15. Ms. Naushalya Manjari Rajapaksha (Rotract Movement/Toastmasters International/ Sri
Lanka)
16. Mr. Saman Kumara Ranaweera (Secretary General, Sri Lanka Federation of Youth Clubs/ Sri
Lanka
17. Ms. Shubha Kayastha (Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women
(ARROW)/Nepal)
18. Mr. Senel Mindula Wanniarachchi (Journalist/Blogger/Social Media Activist/ Sri Lanka)
19. Ms. Thaw Zin Aye (Youth LEAD/Myanmar)
20. Ms. Waruguru Wanjau (International Federation of Medical Students Associations/Kenya)
Advisors to the World Conference
 Mr. Sanka Chandima Abayawardena, Conference Adviser - International Relations to NYSC,
Sri Lanka
 Mr. Ravi Karkara, Global Advisor to the World Conference on Youth, New York, USA

draft concept note wcy annex 02

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draft concept note wcy annex 02