Children and Youth Roundtable

Cities have become younger – most of the three billion people under the age of 25  live in urban areas, and it is estimated that 60 percent of the urban population will be under the age of 18 by 2030. This is happening in parallel with growing inequity, lack of access to basic services and increased violence.

Young people are an integral factor in sustaining peace. In recent years there has been a significant shift towards recognizing young people and their roles in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.

This roundtable will feature a special UN Habitat initiative, Youth 2030 Cities, an urban governance initiative that seeks to build the capacity of youth leaders, and aims to promote the meaningful participation of young people towards sustainable urbanization.

Inclusive and Peaceful Cities by and for Children and Youth

• Highlight key strategies that can be used to engage young people and their allies in creating inclusive and peaceful cities?
• What are the key elements of these strategies that make them a success? Can they be replicated?  
• What evidence as stories can you share as strategies that youth have used to share their knowledge and ideas to influence city plans?  
• What research has been conducted on young people’s participation in govenence, their inclusion and their role as peacebuilders?  
• How can the UN and governments engage young people in identifying solutions to improve city planning. The help young to bring about positive change?