Promoting youth rights at the UN!
From 31st October to 3rd November, the European Youth Forum organised a training and advocacy event on promoting youth rights through the United Nations (UN) human rights system in Geneva.
Bringing together representatives of ten youth organisations, the event aimed to give young people tools to access their rights and develop their capacity to fight for them. The participants met with government representatives, UN and civil society stakeholders to advocate for youth rights.
The capacity building focused on international human rights mechanisms and instruments including the Universal Periodic Review and the Special Procedures, as well as the Treaty Bodies, which are responsible for monitoring States’ implementation of international human rights treaties. (1)
The training was provided by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), the Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR Centre) and UPR Info, organisations with experience in supporting civil society engagement in UN human rights processes.
The Participants met with representatives of nine Permanent Missions (Austria, Estonia, Ireland, Finland, FYR Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Portugal and Romania) to raise two key messages
- The need for a greater focus on youth in existing instruments, for example through youth-specific recommendations.
- Advancing the youth rights agenda via dedicated tools and procedures specifically focused on young people.
Furthermore, participants met with a representative of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), as well as YWCA World and IIMA Human Rights Office, two Geneva-based organisations.
(1) For more information, see http://www.youthforum.org/youth-rights-info-tool/the-united-nations-and-youth-rights/
Related articles & publications

How Lviv and its young people are changing the culture of education
In Lviv, the European Youth Capital 2025, learning has long gone beyond school desks and university lecture halls. It begins where curiosity meets courage: with the desire to explore, try, make mistakes, improve and create something new. It is precisely this vision of education that has shaped one of the key directions of the European Youth Capital 2025 programme, as well as the new Lviv youth strategy, which will guide the municipality’s work on youth in the years to come.

Fresh Faces, Big Decisions: General Assembly 2025 wraps up in Brussels
On May 9 and 10 2025, hundreds of young people gathered in Brussels for our General Assembly (GA). They all came together for two days of democratic decisions, in depth discussions and conversations around the issues that really impact and matter to young people all over Europe.
Join the European Youth Capital 2028 Focus Group
Do you have experience in fostering young people's participation in cities? Have you implemented European youth policies at a local level, or through the European Youth Capital title?