Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law
(Geneva, 21 – 22 November 2016)
Intervention by Romania, on behalf of Morocco, Norway, Peru, Republic of Korea and Tunisia
Panel No.1: Creating an enabling environment for the effective participation of youth in public decision-making
21 November 2016
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of Morocco, Norway, Peru, Republic of Korea and Tunisia, members of the Core-Group of the Human Rights Council Resolution 28/14 of 23 March 2015, establishing a forum on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
We are honored to welcome the participants of this inaugural session of the Forumdedicated to the role of youth in public decision-making and express our gratitude to the High Commissioner and his devoted team for their efforts deployed with the view to ensuring a smoothorganization of this important event.
Being the youngest among the Human Rights Council fora, this forum has the mandate to provide for a platform for substantive dialogue on issues related to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It relies on the willingness of all the stakeholders to work together toward building an ever more peaceful, prosperous and democratic world.
Good governance and the rule of law at the national and international levels are essential for sustained economic growth, sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger. So is the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law and democracy, as it has been acknowledged,at the highest level, by the Heads of State and Government, gathered at the 2005 World Summit.
It is to the credit of the Human Rights Council, that it decided to bring an added value to these undeniably universal and major topicsat global level, in particular by establishing that the first session of the Forum be dedicated to the complex theme of participation of youth in public decision-making processes.
We express our confidence that the outcome of the four panel-discussions during these two days will make us better understand the importance of cooperation on youth-related issues, that would encourage and foster the participation of young people in civic and political life.
Youth participation is vital for the future of democracy and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and therefore we strongly believe that the Forum will also contribute to an in-depth understanding of the barriers that young people face in exercising their right to participate,as well as best practices and opportunities for promoting young people`s participation in public affairs.
At the same time, we express our hope that the Forum will highlight the need for acomprehensive and consensual approach and for partnerships between public bodies and civil society, especially youth organizations.
Mr. Chairman,
Before concluding, allow me to evoke the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that young people have the right to express themselves on issues important to them.
Let us be inspired by this!
Thank you.