Youth Leadership Working Group statement in Interactive Session of Intergovernmental Negotiations

The following statement was made by Lara Cousins, speaking on behalf of the Youth Leadership Working Group, from the floor during the Interactive Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Post-2015 Development Agenda:

We very much welcome today’s emphasis from various speakers and Member States on disaggregating data, in order to ensure that the human rights and specific needs of young people are integrated across the agenda, and that adolescents and young people are consistently visible. 

At the same time, however, it’s crucial to also look beyond just disaggregating data, to developing indicator(s) that specially measure progress with the most marginalized young people and young people in special circumstances, such as those in hard to reach areas, and crisis situations. For as we well know, when we think of young people, they are not all the same any more than women (or for that matter men) are. Disaggregation by age and sex alone, while integral, won’t ensure in and of itself that "no one is left behind."

Lastly I just want to flag as others have done the huge value of this interactive space, and if at all possible continuing to have these dialogues in June and July. Thank you.