On April 27, 2015 Georgian Parliament’s Gender Equality Council, UNFPA Georgia and European Youth Parliament – Georgia organized the Youth National Forum.

Representatives of the Parliament of Georgia, the Government of Georgia, European Youth Parliament, various youth-led, local and international organizations participated in the event held at Holiday Inn Tbilisi.

The goal of the Youth National Forum was to advocate for the increased investment in adolescents and youth development and the realization of their rights for ensuring sustainable development of the country.

At the Forum youth representative presented the advocacy paper “Youth Voice” regarding youth needs and priorities in the country. The Framework of Actions for the follow up to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development Beyond 2014 and key action points were also presented to guide the discussion on national priorities for youth development.

Several plenary and workgroup sessions provided opportunity to participants of the Forum, to share the results achieved and future plans, discuss national priorities and possibilities for improving the enabling environment for youth development. As a result, the set of recommendations related to development and realization of their rights were elaborated to advance implementation of the ICPD beyond 2014 global priorities at the national level.

“In 2014 the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) supported the Population Situational Analysis (PSA) of Georgia, which revealed that reproductive health needs of adolescents and youth are going largely unmet in Georgia. Service providers lack relevant skills and knowledge for providing youth with adequate information, or counselling and confidential services. At the same time, it should be mentioned that significant gaps exist in terms of youth knowledge about healthy lifestyle, sexual and reproductive health and rights, safe behaviour thereto.

Increased investments in youth as a human capital, their education and healthcare will contribute to sustainable development of the country, which is achievable through multi-sectoral collaboration,” – Lela Bakradze, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund Georgia County Office.

The Youth National Forum was organized within the framework of UN Joint Programme “To Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia” through generous support of the Swedish Government.