UN Youth Office & Big Six Launch Global Youth Leadership Partnership

Description: The UN Youth Office and the Big Six Youth Organizations form a strategic global partnership to strengthen youth leadership and accelerate action toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Published By: Mr. Dibakar Mandal
Published On: 30 October 2025, 10:45 AM +05.30 India IST

Introduction

Young people today are at the center of some of the most powerful movements for social, economic, and environmental transformation. Across the world, youth are leading community resilience programs, climate justice campaigns, digital innovation networks, and grassroots development initiatives. However, they continue to face persistent barriers to meaningful participation in decision-making processes that directly affect their present and future. Recognizing the urgent need to bridge this gap, the United Nations Youth Office and the Big Six Youth Organizations have announced a major strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Global Youth Mobilization and ensuring that young people are empowered to take leadership roles in shaping global solutions.

This partnership comes at a time when the world is only a few years away from the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Progress on several goals remains slow or uneven, and young people continue to demand stronger commitments from institutions to address climate threats, inequality, gender-based violence, youth unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare. The partnership recognizes that young people are not simply beneficiaries of development — they are essential actors in driving progress.

The announcement emphasizes collaboration among six of the largest global youth-focused organizations: World YMCA, World YWCA, World Scouting, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Together, these organizations reach more than 250 million young people across 190+ countries, forming one of the most powerful youth engagement networks in the world.

By joining forces with the UN Youth Office, which is led by the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Dr. Felipe Paullier, the partnership aims to elevate youth leadership at global policy-making levels, expand access to funding and capacity-building, and create sustainable systems where young people hold influential roles in shaping the directions of international development.

This partnership signifies a clear message: youth leadership is not optional — it is necessary for building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

Background Information

The Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) initiative was originally launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, when young people worldwide faced disruptions in education, employment, mental health, and social development. The initiative, supported by the World Health Organization and the UN Foundation, provided funding and mentorship for youth-led community projects responding to these challenges. GYM demonstrated that when young people are provided with resources, trust, and decision-making power, they create effective, innovative, and scalable solutions.

Meanwhile, the UN Youth Office was established to unify and strengthen youth engagement efforts across the UN system. The office plays a key role in aligning global youth policy, supporting Member States in youth development strategies, and ensuring that youth participation is institutionalized across development, humanitarian, and peace-building sectors.

The Big Six organizations share decades of experience in non-formal education, community service, and youth empowerment. From Scouts and Guides conducting climate action campaigns to Red Cross youth volunteering in disaster response, and from YMCA community wellbeing projects to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program, these organizations shape leadership in millions of young people from childhood into adulthood.

This partnership marks a new phase: shifting from participation in isolated programs to direct involvement in decision-making systems. With shared planning, funding, and political representation, the partnership aims to create long-term, structural solutions for youth inclusion at local, national, and international levels.

Key Strategic Focus Areas

1. Collaboration and Shared Program Leadership

The UN Youth Office will serve as the primary — but not sole — partner for GYM, aligning youth action initiatives with UN development frameworks, disaster resilience policies, and global humanitarian priorities.

2. Advocacy for Youth Rights and Inclusion

The alliance will jointly engage with global platforms such as the UN General Assembly, COP Climate Summits, World Humanitarian Forums, and regional development councils, advocating for youth representation in decision-making.

3. Resource Mobilization for Youth-Led Solutions

A coordinated global funding strategy will support grassroots youth leaders, with priority given to marginalized communities, conflict-affected regions, and low-income countries.

4. Representation in Global Decision-Making

The partnership ensures that youth delegates hold speaking, advisory, and voting roles in major policy discussions affecting their lives.

Statements from Key Leaders

“This partnership reflects our shared belief that meaningful progress can only be achieved when young people are placed at the center of decision-making.”
— Dr. Felipe Paullier, UN Youth Office

“When youth are trusted with resources and leadership, they create real change.”
— Carlos Sanvee, World YMCA

“We can represent ourselves. We do not need to be spoken for.”
— Michelle Chew, Youth Board Representative

Why This Matters

This partnership sets a precedent for intergenerational governance — where young people are not symbolic participants but core contributors and leaders.

It strengthens:

• Youth leadership pipelines
• International cooperation
• Global equity and sustainability efforts
• Local community action capacity

External Authoritative Links

• https://www.un.org/youthenvoy
• https://www.wagggs.org
• https://www.scout.org
• https://www.who.int
• https://www.unfoundation.org
• https://www.ifrc.org

Conclusion

The strategic partnership between the UN Youth Office and the Big Six Youth Organizations represents a historic turning point in global youth empowerment. By strengthening collaboration, expanding funding, and ensuring youth voices shape the world’s most significant decisions, the alliance reinforces a global commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.

The message is clear: The future must be shaped with youth — not simply for them.