MDG are still a challenge..

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Today’s livelihoods programmes must take account of adolescent-headed households,

out-of-school youth, economic migrants, internally displaced persons and refugees. In

this more fluid social landscape youth work expertise is needed to help resolve

resource conflict issues, build consensus between the generations and promote skills

transfer where traditional pathways have broken down. It is also needed to ensure

cross-sector collaboration on youth livelihoods interventions.

2. Achieve universal primary education

Although youth workers usually educate in the non-formal setting, they play a role in

encouraging out-of-school youth to go back to education, and also in making sure the

parent community understands the value of education.

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

A “youth-worked” community is one in which young women have a voice. Raising

young women’s expectations and building their self-esteem is at the heart of informal

education.

4. Reduce child mortality; 5. Improve maternal health

“Youth-worked” health services are ones which are approachable and nonjudgemental

toward young mothers, with information campaigns that connect with

youth cultures.

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

As agencies look to peer-education as part of combating HIV/AIDS and encouraging

healthy lifestyles, the ability to communicate with young people becomes a life-saving

issue. Self-esteem issues are central to young people’s negotiating and sustaining

behaviour change. HIV/AIDS is overwhelmingly a disease of young adults.

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

Youth workers have a role to play in mitigating unsustainable urbanisation: by helping

young people toward a more realistic understanding of life in today’s cities, and by

building recreation and livelihoods in rural areas. Youth workers are also vital to

conservation and public health efforts, the sustainability of which depends on new

generations.

8. Develop a global partnership for development

This Goal sets out a number of macro objectives that would improve young people’s

access to sustainable livelihoods, including inter alia: an open trading and financial

system that is rule-based; debt relief; more generous development assistance; and

access to affordable essential drugs. It also makes specific reference to young

people: “In cooperation with the developing countries, develop decent and productive

work for youth.”