Summary
This thematic paper explores country-level implementation of Youth2030 in The Gambia, particularly priority area four on youth and human rights, and priority area five on peace and resilience-building. The paper identifies learnings from UN colleagues, civil society, and government representatives on the success and limitations of ongoing efforts to implement the strategy within The Gambia.
Background
In 2018, the UN Secretary-General launched Youth2030, the first-ever system-wide UN Youth Strategy, aimed at transforming the work of the UN with and for youth in response to the complex challenges young people face, including climate degradation, conflict, and economic inequality. The Youth Strategy calls for the UN to foster a coordinated and coherent approach, addressing the diverse needs, advancing the rights, and building agency of young people as full-fledged partners in the UN’s mission to build a better world for all, while actively engaging them in global initiatives and aligning with UN development system reforms.
The Gambian UN Country Team, which is currently navigating a democratic transition amid climate-related conflicts and economic inequality, serves as a pertinent case study for evaluating implementation of the UN Youth Strategy at country level.