Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Widening the democratic space: The role of youth in public decision-making

21 November 2016

Chairpersons,
Excellencies,
Colleagues and Friends,

It is an honour to open the first Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. I welcome the Council’s creation of this Forum, at a time of multiple challenges for the expression of people's voices around the world, and for their full participation in decision-making.

I particularly welcome this forum’s focus on young people, and I am very pleased to see how many young people are in this room today. You are the most interconnected, most highly educated, healthiest generation the world has ever seen. Among the top priorities of young people in a range of in-depth studies are honest, effective, democratically operated and responsive governments. And rightly so. A society that does not fully respect everyone's equal right to participate is fundamentally unsound. The right to express opinions – including criticism – and to participate in public affairs are essential to ensuring state institutions are accountable, grounded in service to the people.

It is often said, the younger generation is disengaged from politics. I disagree. Even the briefest dip into social media demonstrates the strength of young people’s engagement on issues essential to the well-being of humanity. Young activists today are the drivers of movements for justice, rights, the environment and an end to discrimination – just as every strong movement for human rights and solidarity in history has been spearheaded by the young.

And yet younger generations are not adequately represented in formal political institutions such as Parliaments, political parties and public administrations. This leads many to feel leadership and policymaking are reserved for an élite. We should be asking ourselves – and asking young people –what we can do to help them regain trust in formal structures, including elections; and how to best remove barriers to their participation.

Perhaps most importantly, the political participation of young people – like all other people – must be consequential. There must be action in response to their concerns.

I say this because our world urgently needs young people’s contributions. We live in an era of shocking inequalities. The health of our planet is threatened. Violence is shattering lives, destroying development and forcing millions into poverty and displacement. Around the world, the number and scale of humanitarian crises add up to a level of disaster greater than any the UN system has dealt with in its existence. Terrorist movements sow fear and pain, and feed a cycle of deepening mistrust and hatred. 

I am also deeply concerned by the rise of demagogues who stoke racism and xenophobia to advance their own personal ambitions. They inflame prejudice and violence – and engage the forces of selfishness, isolationism and division – instead of encouraging people to work together for a greater justice and a better society and planet.

This is a dark picture. I don't mean to suggest the world is ending, but it is aching. We need the energy and innovation of the young on our side – and we need your advocacy. Because to solve the world's problems we need a surge of collective action in support of human rights. We need to work together to uphold the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has the potential to eradicate extreme poverty and transform millions of lives. We need to speak out against bigotry and violence, and support the values of equality and human dignity, which uphold peace. We need to address the pervasive sense of injustice which undermines people's faith in the future of their societies.

Human rights build societies that are safer – where disputes can be peacefully resolved, the benefits of development are shared, and where there is democratic, transparent and accountable government. Building and upholding these structures takes persistence, determination and vigilance. Individually, it is difficult to make an impact. But together, we can. It takes moral courage, but we can stand up for others, voice the common good and act to support inclusion, equality, and human dignity. We can guide our actions by our principles.

In the coming weeks, my Office will be launching a campaign to encourage everyone to stand up for human rights values.  In the street, in school, at work, in public transport, on social media and in the voting booth – all of us can act to uphold human rights, and make a real difference.

Through their innovative ideas and their activism, young people will determine the world's prospects for peace, sustainable development and human rights for years to come. We need more open, democratic spaces for young women and men to share their thoughts, and make recommendations for change.

Let this be one such space.

Thank you