UTC: The City Youth Need, The World They Want

UTC

20

The City Youth Need, The World They Want 10 – 11 February, 2016 Nairobi, Kenya

2 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication pages do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries regarding its economic system or degree of development. Excerpts may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, the United Nations and its member states.

3 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Table of Contents Urban Thinkers Campus in figures.............................................................................................................................................. 4 Introduction to the Urban Thinkers Campus............................................................................................................................... 5 The City We Need principle(s) addressed.................................................................................................................................. 5 Matrix of linkages - TCWN 1.0 vs. new recommendations....................................................................................................... 6 Key outcomes of the UTC........................................................................................................................................................... 7 Key recommendations................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Key actors................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Outstanding issues..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Urban solutions......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 List of organizations represented............................................................................................................................................. 11 List of all countries present...................................................................................................................................................... 11

4 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Urban Thinkers Campus in figures

13

173

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

PARTICIPANTS

8

CONSTITUENT GROUPS REPRESENTED

26

ORGANIZATIONS

5 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Introduction

In line with UN-Habitat’s Youth Unit continuous effort to ensure the voice

UN-Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The City We Need principle(s) addressed

The 2-day Youth Campus served as a stock taking and innovation forum of

“The City Youth Need, The world They Want” UTC covered a wide range of

urban policies and programmes for young men and women in cities glob-

the city we need principles. They are as follows:

of the youth is heard, the Unit convened an Urban Thinkers Campus for youth across the region which was held on 10-11 February, 2016 at the

ally. It brought together key partners and stakeholders that support urban youth initiatives that are inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Urban poli-

1. The city we need is socially inclusive.

cies and programme for youth were explored. The stakeholders explored

2. The city we need is well planned, walkable, and transit-friendly.

the need, mechanisms, steps and recommendations for establishing syn-

3. The city we need is a regenerative city.

ergies and strategies for a better urban future for young men and women.

4. The city we need is economically vibrant and inclusive.

It created a platform for young people to share experiences and solutions

5. The city we need is a safe city.

related to sustainable development issues, disaster and risk reduction,

6. The city we need is a healthy city.

environment, human rights, access to public space, social inclusion, governance and forms of participation in decision- making at all levels.

6 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Matrix of linkages - TCWN 1.0 vs. new recommendations The city we need is well planned and uphold youth rights

The city we need should provide public spaces for sports.

The city we need should include young people with disabilities in sport activities.

The city we need should provide young person’s access to land and housing.

The city we need should mitigate land concentration to a few hands.

The city we need should be inclusive for both young men and women.

The city we need should provide the urban poor with easy access to basic services.

The city we need is a regenerative and resilient (climate) city

The city we need should be environmentally sustainable.

The city we need should provide all its citizens with access to washing facilities.

The city we need should have an efficient system for waste management.

The city we need should have an efficient sewage system.

The city we need should be suitable for urban agriculture.

The city we need should be powered by renewable energy.

The city we need is an inclusive city

The city we need should involve young people in leadership.

The city we need should have leaders elected on good performance basis.

The city we need should involve the youth in the national budget making process.

The city we need is economically vibrant and inclusive

The city we need regards youth as potential investors.

The city we need provides financial training on best practices to the youth.

The city we need should have a streamlined education system developing one’s interests.

The city we need should provide good quality and affordable education.

The city we need is a safe, healthy and resilient(conflict) city

The city we need should be free of drugs.

The city we need should involve young refugees in the decision-making process.

The city we need should have improved and efficient conflict solving mechanisms.

The city we need should have improved communication channels.

The city we need should involve in the decision making process.

The city we need should provide improved rehabilitation facilities.

7 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Key outcomes of the UTC

Key recommendations

The constituent groups discussed a multitude of issues in regards to the

Delegates in the event recommended that governments should give incen-

situation for youth in the cities. They agreed that youth participation in

tives to youths to encourage entrepreneurship. Crowd funding should also

local decision-making is an important issue that merits attention. Young

be advocated as a source of capital. In regard to education, the national

persons need governments to be transparent, accountable and responsive

government should set standard guidelines on tuition fee to make it afford-

to their rights and needs. By the same token, youth need to be better

able to all. The education system should be streamlined and help students

included in local budgeting processes.

nurture their abilities. They further strongly advocated for the enforcement of drug abuse awareness policies and the health repercussions. Peer

There are several factors that hold youth back. Young people possess new

programs should also be provided to educate the youth on drug abuse. Im-

innovative ideas and perspectives, but lack of access to capital prevents

proved drug rehabilitation centers should be set up. Young refugees should

them from implementing the ideas. Education is not accessible for large

participate in the decision-making process. While long term solutions

shares of the urban poor, who demand more affordable education. High

should be articulated to address the refugee crisis. There should be effort

rates of unemployment in cities constitute to a major cause of depression,

to stimulate inter-tribal/clan relations. Local governments further need to

criminality and drug abuse among the youth. Poor provision of water,

acknowledge the importance of public spaces for sport activities. Public

sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is a further problem for many African

space should include sport facilities where youth can participate in indoor

countries, in particular in the informal settlements. Many cities also lack

sports. Governments should provide resources to ensure the participation

adequate city planning of public spaces for youth. The participants agreed

of urban youths in sport events. In land and housing matter, the youth

that there is lack of public spaces for sports in cities.

should be involved in the formulation and implementation of policies. Rent for urban housing should be favorable in accordance to the standards of

The youth are also particularity vulnerable to insecurity, conflict and migra-

the accommodations provided. Gender equality should also be promoted

tion crises. A huge amount of young people live in refugee camps due to

through education. There should be increase in participation of men in the

violent conflicts. In the camps, the youth often lack access to education and

advocacy of gender rights for example the “He for She” campaign.

other basic services. Youth in conflict zones are vulnerable to radicalization.

The delegates further recommended the inclusion of youths in the making

Young Women in these areas are also frequently victims of sexual violence.

of annual budgets and other matters revolving the process. Youth should also be trained on budgeting and finance in order for them to gain the

Another issue that concerned the participants is the effects of climate

expertise needed for these processes. In leadership, independent bodies

change. The urban youth in developing countries are vulnerable to climate

should be created to implement various policies and in order to monitor

change, as it leads to food insecurities and rising costs of living. Climate

and evaluate leaders’ performance. In addition, all youth leaders should be

change affects urban agriculture and young urban farmers. The participants agreed that youth are not adequately engaged in renewable energy production. Plots of land in cities are generally very expensive, which excludes urban youth dwellers from accessing it. Legislation on gender issues need better implementation and the policy on gender should address the concerns of both genders.

8 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

elected based on track record, and be engaged as partners. In regards to

Key actors

environment, there is need in launching awareness campaigns on climate change and how youth can participate. Youth should also be trained in

Local Government, Children and Youth, Academia and research Insti-

innovative technological solutions that can be used to tackle the current

tutions, Private Sector, Professional, Urban Youth Groups, Civil Society

challenges of climate change. The delegates agreed that there is need

Organizations, Grassroot Youth Organizations, Bilateral and Multilateral,

to implement sanitation policies. The youth should also be educated on

Humanitarian organizations like The Kenya Red Cross, World Vision Kenya,

WASH issues in order to cultivate a sense of mutual responsibility. In

Oxfam, ActionAid and Canadian Feed for Children.

addition legislation on waste management in Africa should be reinforced.

With an increasing concern on the decrease in the practice of agriculture, it was advised that agricultural products should be made more marketable through the creation of farmer SACCOs. Further research should be made in order to improve knowledge about soil compositions and what crops are

Joao Scarpelini

most suitable for urban agriculture. Young farmers should be encouraged

@joaoscarpelini

to participate in agricultural research and development. Recycling and green jobs were advocated by advising the improvement of waste separation mechanisms in order to encourage recycling. In addition young people should be enabled to leverage on their innovations to make renewable energy affordable.

10 Feb 2016

Today I had the privilege of helping to facilitate a session on #Urban #Youth in #Conflict and‌ https://www. instagram.com/p/BBn8sb6JnR2/ https://twitter.com/joaoscarpelini/status/697562797115363329

9 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Outstanding issues

unemployed and unengaged youth; and depressed or declining economic opportunities. To address these causes of instability, youth and other

In as much as all issues that were discussed were all important, two

stakeholders should work to bridge divisions between people — whether

of them came out exceptionally as those that are more often than not

it is between government and local communities, youth and elders, or

neglected by stakeholders , yet they affect young urban men and women

ethnic groups — by creating opportunities for collaborative engagement

enormously. These issues are:

around mutual interests. These include projects that use economic assistance to build bridges across ethnic or religious divides, strengthen ties

Drug abuse and Health

between citizens and local government authorities through dialogue and

Drug use affects every sector of society, straining the economy, healthcare

community development, re-knit the social fabric between young people

and criminal justice systems, and endangering the futures of young people.

and their communities through civic and economic engagement, and address competition over critical natural resources such as land and water in

The social and economic costs related to youth substance abuse are high.

arid and semi-arid areas.

They result from the financial losses and distress suffered by alcohol- and drug-related crime victims, increased burdens for the support of adoles-

Other approaches include: create spaces for youths to express their

cents and young adults who are not able to become self-supporting, and

opinions — and listen to them; enhance the peace-building knowledge

greater demands for medical and other treatment services for these youth.

and skills of young people; build trust between youths and governments; promote intergenerational exchange; strengthen monitoring and evaluation

Preventing or delaying use of psychoactive drugs, alcohol, and tobacco

across all building initiatives; and support youths who are positively con-

among adolescents and youth is a critical, national public health goal of

tributing to their communities.

any government. The simplest and most cost-effective way to lower the human and societal costs of drug abuse is to prevent it in the first place.

Some of the strategies to prevent drug use and addiction among youth include: Make treatment available on request like any other health service; providing them with accurate information; focus law enforcement resources on the most dangerous and violent criminals; international drug control efforts should be demilitarized and focus on economic development and prioritize prevention strategies.

Peace building and conflict resolution The United Nations Security Council recently adopted an historic resolution on youth, peace and security, which for the first time in its history focuses entirely on the role of young men and women in peacebuilding and countering violent extremism. The resolution represents an unprecedented acknowledgment of the urgent need to engage young peacebuilders in promoting peace and countering extremism. The resolution also positions youth and youth-led organizations as important partners in the global efforts to counter violent extremism and promote lasting peace.

Conflicts and instability stems from a variety of factors including weak government; ethnic, religious and political divisions; large populations of

10 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

Urban solutions

Public spaces for youth The rising numbers of youth in cities need adequate support systems,

The following solutions were recognized as the basis of policies and strat-

space to meet and interact and opportunities to actively participate in ur-

egies towards an inclusive, resilient and sustainable city for youth.

ban planning and development. Sport is a fantastic tool to attract, mobilize and inspire the younger generation to meaningfully contribute to creation

Urban Livelihoods strategies

of inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. Youth should also engage in

Under education is a key factor leading to labor market segregation and

advocacy campaigns on matters in regards to land. Policies should limit

inequalities, particularly in developing countries. An inclusive, resilient and

the quantity of land owned by a single person, in order to mitigate concen-

sustainable city provides youth with employment opportunities and access

tration of land ownership to just a few.

to education.

Urban governance and leadership Risk reduction and Rehabilitation

Young people are most affected and often find themselves challenged

All stakeholders, including Governments, NGOs, Civil Society and youth

by underemployment and unemployment, unequal access to education

themselves should; create spaces for dialogue and for people to meet and

and participation in governance and decision-making. Youth should be

learn more about each other; create job opportunities, and specifically

empowered to demand accountability and concrete actions from their

look into creative job opportunities and providing vocational training &

governments in addressing issues of corruption and governance; youth to

building the technical capacity; strengthen the role of international com-

create networks of knowledge sharing and learning on governance and

munity in conflict mediation and in facilitating peace-talks; include youth

anti-corruption; capacities of youth should be built to enable them partic-

in decision-making processes, particularly in process of planning cities and

ipate and increase their representation in urban governance, especially

services; secure access to land and opportunities for youth, so they can be-

in the developing countries; and governments to adopt more policies that

come active members of their community; rapid response plans for health

improve youth’s representation.

services during conflict, specially looking into access to maternity health services; create opportunities for inter-faith dialogue, specially explore the

Environment

opportunities of religious fluency, and opportunities for youth to learn more

Environmental issues present some of the most profound and complex

about other faith; promote campaigns to promote a positive message and

challenges that require attention today and in the coming decades. One

facilitate the development of a shared identify. Example is the Lido beach

foundation-building step in enhancing local, regional, national and global

attack in Mogadishu, and how Somali youth responded to the attack by

capacities to respond to these challenges is to increase environmental

showing how they love the city, and reclaiming their right to public space;

awareness. Here the role of youth is central, for it is in the rising genera-

create opportunities for youth to engage as partners, not only as beneficia-

tions that heightened awareness can most easily be achieved;there should

ries and finally tackle hate speech which usually create animosity among

be improvements in waste separation in order to encourage recycling;

youth and the general public.

policy should also be put in place to make sure that measures in regards to waste separation are properly enforced; young people should be enabled to leverage on their innovations to make renewable energy affordable; Governments to put in place tax reliefs and subventions to encourage

Joao Scarpelini @joaoscarpelini

9 Feb 2016

#UrbanThinkers kicks off in #Nairobi! The #cities #youth need, the world they want!� #Habitat3 #Youth4Cities #Urban https://twitter.com/joaoscarpelini/status/697323710026551298

renewable energy initiatives by city youth. A further solution is to create mechanisms to more fully involve youth in renewable energy initiatives in the African countries.

11 Urban Thinkers Campus: 20 – The City Youth Need, The World They Want

List of organizations represented 1. Central Government of Kenya- Ministry of youth and public service 2. County Governments 3. Mathare Environmental 4. Grass root Youth organizations 5. Young African Leaders Initiative 6. University of Nairobi 7. Aga khan University 8. Strathmore University

9. Technical University of Kenya 10. Global Peace Foundation 11. ILO 12. UN Major Group for Children and Youth 13. UNODC 14. UNEP 15. UNDP 16. UN-Habitat Somali Programme 17. UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board

18. Red Cross Kenya 19. World Bank 20. World Vision Kenya 21. Oxfam 22. ActionAid 23. Sun Microcredit 24. Ecopost 25. Canadian Feed for Children 26. Ecotact

List of all countries present 1. Australia 2. Austria 3. Bangladesh 4. Botswana 5. Burundi 6. Canada 7. China 8. Cote D’Ivoire 9. Djibouti 10. Egypt 11. France 12. Gambia 13. Germany 14. India

15. Italy 16. Jordan 17. Kenya 18. Kuwait 19. Lebanon 20. Liberia 21. Mali 22. Mexico 23. Netherlands 24. Nigeria 25. Pakistan 26. Poland 27. Qatar 28. Russian Federation

29. Saudi Arabia 30. Senegal 31. Singapore 32. South Korea 33. State of Palestine 34. Switzerland 35. Togo 36. Ukraine 37. United Arab Emirates 38. United Kingdom 39. United States of America 40. Zimbabwe

www.unhabitat.org/youth

United Nations Human Settlements Programme P.O. Box 30030 Nairobi 00100, Kenya World Urban Campaign Secretariat www.worldurbancampaign.org Email: wuc@unhabitat.org Tel.: +254 20 762 1234

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