The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), recently hosted a training workshop on “Youth Engagement in Institution Building and Public Services Delivery for Sustainable Development” in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The 80 participants from various civil society organizations across the country, government officials, members of the UNCT, and academics learned how to effectively engage youth in public policy-making to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The workshop aimed to boost young leaders' and government officials' capacity to implement the SDGs.  

Young people make up most of the population in the developing world, with more than 70 percent aged below 30. In Côte D’Ivoire, today, the median age is 18.9 years. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasizes the importance of youth involvement and has identified removing barriers and promoting meaningful, diverse, and effective youth engagement as a critical commitment in his report “Our Common Agenda.” 

This three-day workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry for Youth, the National Youth Council, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Offices. It was a great success, with the participation of many young women and youth with disabilities.  

The workshop began with an address from the Minister of Youth, Mr. Mamadou Touré, delivered by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Lancine Diomandé. Following this speech was an intervention from the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Philippe Poinsot, and one from the Resident Representative of UNFPA, Ms. Cecile Zoungrana. All speakers emphasized the importance of engaging young people as critical drivers in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. 

The workshop included a session on the SDGs and the Agenda 2030 with interactive group exercises in which challenges to achieving the SDGs were identified and proposed solutions discussed. The African Union 2063 Agenda and its connection to the SDGs were also discussed. 

Participants, government representatives, UNCT members, and facilitators engaged in lively and engaging discussions during the workshop. Participants have proposed constructive solutions to their challenges and shared their experiences and ideas. The workshop has been a tremendous success, as youth-led civil society organizations have spent three days discussing issues that interest them and the people they represent.  

As a result of the "Youth Engagement in Institution Building and Public Service Delivery for Sustainable Development" workshop, both government representatives and youth stakeholders were able to participate in an in-depth discussion regarding issues related to the development of institutions and the delivery of public services in Côte d'Ivoire for sustainable development. 

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), recently hosted a training workshop on “Youth Engagement in Institution Building and Public Services Delivery for Sustainable Development” in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The 80 participants from various civil society organizations across the country, government officials, members of the UNCT, and academics learned how to effectively engage youth in public policy-making to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The workshop aimed to boost young leaders' and government officials' capacity to implement the SDGs.  

Young people make up most of the population in the developing world, with more than 70 percent aged below 30. In Côte D’Ivoire, today, the median age is 18.9 years. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasizes the importance of youth involvement and has identified removing barriers and promoting meaningful, diverse, and effective youth engagement as a critical commitment in his report “Our Common Agenda.” 

This three-day workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry for Youth, the National Youth Council, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Offices. It was a great success, with the participation of many young women and youth with disabilities.  

The workshop began with an address from the Minister of Youth, Mr. Mamadou Touré, delivered by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Lancine Diomandé. Following this speech was an intervention from the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Philippe Poinsot, and one from the Resident Representative of UNFPA, Ms. Cecile Zoungrana. All speakers emphasized the importance of engaging young people as critical drivers in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. 

The workshop included a session on the SDGs and the Agenda 2030 with interactive group exercises in which challenges to achieving the SDGs were identified and proposed solutions discussed. The African Union 2063 Agenda and its connection to the SDGs were also discussed. 

Participants, government representatives, UNCT members, and facilitators engaged in lively and engaging discussions during the workshop. Participants have proposed constructive solutions to their challenges and shared their experiences and ideas. The workshop has been a tremendous success, as youth-led civil society organizations have spent three days discussing issues that interest them and the people they represent.  

As a result of the "Youth Engagement in Institution Building and Public Service Delivery for Sustainable Development" workshop, both government representatives and youth stakeholders were able to participate in an in-depth discussion regarding issues related to the development of institutions and the delivery of public services in Côte d'Ivoire for sustainable development.