Channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 32/135 of 16 December 1977 and 36/17 of 9 November 1981, in which it adopted guidelines for the improvement of the channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations, and also recalling its resolution 41/99 of 4 December 1986,

Bearing in mind the importance of the existence of effective channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations as a necessary instrument for the information of young people and their participation in the work of the United Nations and the specialized agencies at the national, regional and international levels, and also for informing the United Nations of the problems facing youth with a view to finding solutions to such problems,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Policies and programmes involving young people: Participation, Development, Peace", in particular the section dealing with the channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations,

Convinced that the effective and efficient functioning of the channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations at the national, regional and international levels forms a basic prerequisite for the adequate information of young people and their active involvement in the work of the United Nations,

Convinced also of the importance for youth and youth organizations of the freedom of association, in accordance with the relevant national legislation, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, so as to enable them to participate in the United Nations system and to act effectively as channels of communication,

Convinced further that the participation of youth representatives from Member States in international conferences and meetings dealing with youth-related issues, wherever appropriate, can enhance and strengthen the channels of communication through the discussion of such issues, with a view to finding solutions to problems confronting youth in the contemporary world,

Recognizing that the guidelines for further planning and suitable follow-up in the field of youth provide a constructive framework for a long-term strategy in the field of youth,

Bearing in mind the important role that non-governmental youth organizations can play in co-operation with United Nations bodies and the specialized agencies in order to solve the problems of young people,

1.         Calls upon Member States, United Nations bodies, the specialized agencies and other governmental and intergovernmental organizations to implement fully the guidelines relating to the channels of communication adopted by the General Assembly in its resolutions 32/135 and 36/17, not only in general terms but also by concrete measures reflecting the issues of importance to young people;

2.         Requests the Secretary-General to continue in this respect to make use at the national, regional and international levels of the already existing structures of co-operation between youth and the United Nations system in accordance with the additional guidelines for the improvement of the channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations, contained in the annex to resolution 36/17, and to encourage other United Nations bodies and specialized agencies to do the same;

3.         Further requests the Secretary-General to develop methods that specifically indicate how the channels of communication could efficiently be attuned to youth-related projects and activities of United Nations organs and specialized agencies, and to include in his report thereon to the General Assembly concrete suggestions for co-operation between the United Nations system and the non-governmental youth organizations;

4.         Calls upon youth mechanisms that have been set up by youth and youth organizations at the national, regional and international levels to continue to act as channels of communication between the United Nations and youth and youth organizations by putting forth their proposals for co-operation with the United Nations system, and, where such mechanisms do not exist, recommends that national co-ordinating committees of the International Youth Year should similarly continue to act as channels of communication;

5.         Decides to consider at its forty-third session the item entitled "Policies and programmes involving youth" on the basis of the report of the Secretary-General.