By Ken Gbados.
Ardent volunteer; Favour Egbune has pledged support for solidarity across generations as a veritable ingredient for sustainable development while urging stakeholders to join hands across generations to break down barriers and work as one to achieve a more equitable, just, and inclusive world for all people.
Miss Egbune, who made this call on the sidelines of the 2022 International Youth Day, noted in a media parley on Friday that the objective of International Youth Day 2022 is to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no one behind.
According to her, it will also raise awareness on certain barriers to intergenerational solidarity, notably ageism, which impacts young and old persons, while having detrimental effects on society as a whole.
“Ageism is an insidious and often an unaddressed issue in health, human rights, and development, and has bearings on both older and younger populations around the world. In addition, ageism regularly intersects with other forms of bias (such as racism and sexism) and impacts people in ways that prevent them to reach their full potential and comprehensively contribute to their community.
“The Global Report on Ageism launched by the United Nations in March 2021 highlights that despite lack of research, young people continue to report age-related barriers in various spheres of their lives such as employment, political participation, health, and justice.
“The report also identifies intergenerational interventions as one of the three key strategies to address ageism. Intergenerational activities can also lead to a greater sense of social connectedness and strengthen intergenerational solidarity.
“Solidarity across generations is key for sustainable development. As we navigate the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to recognize and address these age-related barriers to “build back better” in a manner that leverages all generations’ strengths and knowledge”, Miss Egune stated.
Furthermore, the CEO of Favourite Collections revealed that globally Youth day is dedicated to the role young men and women play in bringing change in tackling global issues and achieving sustainable development, in addition to serving as an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.
“The theme of the International Youth Day 2022 should remind all stakeholders to support solidarity across generations in creating a peaceful and just society where development will strive, considering the challenges facing the youths.
“It couldn’t be more apt as there is no better time than now to seek intergenerational solidarity with relevant stakeholders at all levels to contribute their quota to youth social development where young people make up a greater percentage of the world population.
“The enormous contributions and commitment to the realization of United Nations agenda 2030, AU Agenda 2063, and the continual push and demand for sustainable development in the world by the youths can never be overemphasized.
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“This year (and the previous year) has been a very challenging year and young people around the world have been leading in Championing Peacebuilding and sustainable development as well as demanding a better society”, the ardent volunteer concluded.
