Policy Frameworks for Youth Advocacy

Adopted at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, the Pact for the Future is a landmark commitment by world leaders to accelerate progress toward a better future. For youth, Actions 17 (meaningful participation), 20 (digital cooperation), and 22 (peaceful and inclusive societies) are most directly relevant.

The 2030 Agenda's 17 SDGs are the core accountability framework for youth advocacy. AUNYD focuses on Goals 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace and Justice), and 17 (Partnerships) as the most actionable for youth delegates.

UNSCRs 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018), and 2535 (2020) establish youth as agents of peace — not just victims of conflict. They create obligations for member states to include youth in peace processes, protection mechanisms, and prevention strategies.

ILO Resolution 205 (2017) calls for employment and decent work policies that contribute to peace and resilience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. It is the foundation for youth employment advocacy in AUNYD's conflict-affected program countries.

Youth2030 outlines five priorities: engagement, participation, well-being, education, and peace. It guides how the UN system as a whole works with and for young people. A new UN Youth Strategy is currently being developed and the toolkit will track and update resources as it is finalized.

Adopted in 1995, WPAY covers 15 priority areas including employment, education, health, political participation, and globalization. It remains the foundational reference for national youth policies and provides the basis for many government youth plans across East Africa.