Spain and Brazil commit to youth participation by signing a Joint Declaration on Youth Rights

Family photo of the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration on Youth Rights between Spain and Brazil

The Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego, has signed a Joint Declaration on Youth Rights between Spain and Brazil in New York while emphasising the importance of governments committing to and promoting an intergenerational pact that guarantees the well-being not only of present generations, but also of future generations.

"For my generation, the 'future' meant opportunity. Today, for young people, the 'future' means uncertainty crossed by anxiety," Rego stated during the event 'Children and young people building a shared future' organised by the Ministry for Youth and Children, on the occasion of the United Nations Future Summit. In addition to the Government of Spain, the Institute of Youth [Instituto de la Juventud (INJUVE)], the National Youth Secretariat of Brazil, the UN Under-Secretariat for Youth, the International Youth Organisation for Ibero-America (OIJ) and the NGO Aldeas Infantiles also participated in organising the event.

The Minister reiterated that the intergenerational pact and public policies must include the active participation of young people. In this regard, she highlighted the work undertaken by the Government of Spain on the future youth law and the importance of promoting youth participation also at international level through forums, such as the Summit of the Future, and commitments like the Pact for the Future.

The event was also attended by the National Secretary for Youth from the Federal Government of Brazil, Ronald Sorriso, and the Advisor to the Special Counsel for the Presidency of Brazil, Alexandre Pupo; the UN's first Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier; the Secretary General of the OIJ, Max Trejo; the Representative of Aldeas Infantiles, Sofía García; and the Deputy Director of Public Partnerships of UNICEF, Juan Santander.

Guarantees to strengthen democratic societies

As part of the Joint Declaration on Youth Rights between Spain and Brazil, signed by Rego and Sorriso, both countries have committed themselves to promoting and guaranteeing youth rights and to fostering bilateral collaboration in this area.

The Declaration emphasises the importance of making political participation by young people effective, as well as addressing their social inclusion, equity and respect for diversity. Rego and Sorriso stressed that this participation is the "best guarantee for strengthening democratic and just societies in face of the threats of authoritarianism".

In addition, Spain and Brazil will collaborate to "strengthen public policies that ensure young people's access to education, employment and sources of income, as well as to health services, with a special focus on mental health as well as sexual and reproductive health".

In Spain, the Ministry of Youth and Children is promoting the first national youth law, which is now in the consultation period, in which youth participation is a key issue.

Non official translation