Secretary-General, in Message to Democracy Forum, Calls for Outreach to Youth in Shaping Post-2014 Agenda
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Annika Savill of the United Nations Democracy Fund, to the fourth High-level Meeting of the Inter-regional Dialogue on Democracy held in Washington, D.C., from 16 to 17 October:
It is a pleasure to convey greetings to all the participants in this timely dialogue. I thank the organizers and hosts — José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), and Yves Leterme, Secretary-General of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — for being such good partners in our mission to shape the global development agenda beyond 2015. I also commend the leaders of all the regional groupings represented at this meeting for their engagement in our shared undertaking.
Over the past 15 years, the international community has adopted a series of landmark documents for sustainable development. The importance of democracy, good governance and the rule of law runs through them like a red thread. It was highlighted in the Millennium Declaration, at the 2005 World Summit and on many occasions since. In the Rio+20 outcome document, Governments explicitly stated that sustainable development requires effective, transparent, accountable and democratic institutions at all levels. And the General Assembly’s Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals recently decided to include a goal on peaceful societies, access to justice and effective institutions.
These are universal issues, relevant to the lives of billions, and Governments are responding to calls by their people for accountability and inclusivity. In the “MY World” survey organized by the United Nations in support of the discussions on the post-2015 development framework, people from all regions ranked “honest and responsive government” as a high priority.
As the United Nations works towards a transformative agenda, we have great expectations of all of you gathered for this dialogue on democracy. Many regional organizations and groupings have stronger policy frameworks in support of democratic governance than those the United Nations has been able to establish so far. Some of you have worked towards a common regional vision for the future of the development agenda. Beyond the valuable role your organizations are playing in shaping our common vision beyond 2015, you will also be essential in monitoring its implementation. The new agenda will require robust accountability mechanisms at the global, regional and national levels, involving all stakeholders. Your continued engagement will be important in ensuring transparency, inclusiveness and the availability of data.
As we look ahead, let us focus on one guiding principle above all: a truly inclusive and participatory approach in setting our agenda and in translating it into reality. As we have seen around the world, time and again, where societies are not inclusive, and where Governments are not responsive, peace, equality and shared prosperity cannot take hold.
I, therefore, ask you to reach out to those who will be at the forefront beyond 2015, and who by nature are at a turning point in their own lives: young people. One of every five members of the human family is between the ages of 15 and 24. Never before have young people had such powers to network — and thus to help advance our vision for a better world. Your organizations are well placed to listen to their voices, whether expressed directly or through elected representatives. I look to you as partners of the United Nations in empowering young people, so that they become architects of a future that leaves no one behind.
This is a unique moment in our shared mission to mobilize the world and build lives of dignity for all. I wish you a most productive gathering, and look forward to hearing about the outcome.