WHO Youth Council Launches Declaration for Healthier Societies

The World Health Organization (WHO) Youth Council unveiled its first Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies, which aims to position youth as key contributors to building healthier and safer societies. The document outlines specific calls to action for governments, international organizations, and communities, emphasizing youth engagement in health policy and initiatives.

"This Declaration represents our collective commitment and priorities to help communities, especially youth, at local, regional, and global levels, to be healthier and more resilient in the face of the many health challenges the world faces today as well as the ones ahead," says Kate Ndocko, Member, WHO Youth Council.

The declaration stresses the importance of access, equity, and inclusion in education, advocating for the removal of barriers that limit young people's opportunities. It calls for education systems to incorporate comprehensive national curricula on health, climate change, and digital literacy. This approach aims to prepare young people to address the multifaceted challenges of the modern world while ensuring that educational content is responsive to diverse healthcare needs.

A key priority in the declaration is youth engagement in the design and implementation of health policies and programs. This involves enabling young people to take on leadership roles and contributing their perspectives to health strategies. The Youth Council emphasizes that inclusive and prevention-focused healthcare is crucial, especially for marginalized and vulnerable groups. The declaration also calls for investment in youth leadership to drive solutions across health, climate, and education sectors, recognizing young people as critical agents of change.

The WHO Youth Council also advocates for creating safe spaces where young people are protected from social and institutional barriers, violence, and other harmful practices. It also encourages collaboration between youth, governments, and civil society organizations to co-create health policies that address priority needs. 

"The Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies, issued by the WHO Youth Council, channels the ideas, advice, and action of youth into a powerful call for change, and shows what can be achieved when youth are actively engaged in shaping their health and futures," says Tedros Adhanom, Director General, WHO.

The WHO Youth Council, established in 2023, serves as a platform for elevating youth voices and integrating their expertise into global health discussions. Its members, representing various health and non-health organizations, work closely with WHO leadership to ensure that youth perspectives are included in health policies and programs.