At the World Health Summit held in Berlin on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the WHO Youth Council unveiled its vision for healthier societies. The council, consisting of 25 members, urged policymakers to better utilize the potential of young people. The initiative was supported by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and several major youth organizations.
In a declaration published at the summit, the WHO Youth Council emphasized the importance of involving and supporting young people in creating a healthier, more equitable, and future-proof society. The authors of the declaration highlighted the impact of global crises on younger generations, with the WHO recently reporting a rise in diseases among young people, particularly mental and sexual illnesses. The council believes that young people should not only be listened to but also entrusted with an active role and responsibility in finding solutions.
Specifically, the WHO Youth Council is calling for equal opportunities and inclusion in the education system, as well as the use of new technologies. Additionally, they urge for healthcare to prioritize prevention and for equal access to healthcare services for disadvantaged groups. The declaration also calls for better support for youth organizations and empowering young people to participate in shaping healthcare policy, through new formats for participation and genuine openness to their perspectives and experiences. The initiative has the support of international youth organizations, including the Digital Transformations for Health Lab and the Junior Doctors Network of the World Medical Association.
Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board Chairman Ralph Heck stated, “Young people make up around a third of the world’s population, but are not adequately involved in political decision-making processes. This is a problem because they will be greatly affected by the consequences of today’s decisions in the future. If their voices are not heard, it will lead to an imbalanced formation of opinions. A strong democracy requires the active participation of young people.”
Brigitte Mohn, Executive Director of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Health is a multi-faceted issue and is highly relevant to the development and transformation of societies on all continents. We need the perspectives of young people here. They must be involved in all decisions, such as the transition to a digital and sustainable economy, the structuring of social life in the digital age, and the development of new ways to ensure global access to education and natural resources. They are the ones who will shape the future of their countries and bear responsibility for it.”
Daniela Schwarzer, Executive Director of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, added, “In healthcare, as in other sectors, major challenges can only be solved through close international cooperation. The measures proposed by the WHO Youth Council provide a good starting point. However, their implementation depends on whether political decision-makers take these calls for action seriously into the political process. It is imperative for political leaders to carefully consider the proposals of these young health experts.”
Malte Etienne, an expert from the Bertelsmann Stiftung, stated, “The success of these measures depends on their incorporation into the political process. We urge policymakers to give serious consideration to the proposals put forth by our young health experts.”
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