This Saturday, August 12, as part of the celebration of International Youth Day. The United Nations in Haiti is supporting the Ministry of Youth in its call for young Haitians so that they are committed to advancing sustainable development and peace around the theme "Young people build peace".

Under the leadership of UNESCO, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Volunteer Program, several United Nations agencies and MINUSTAH are collaborating this year with the Ministry of Youth and other Haitian partners in a series of awareness-raising activities with youth organizations in different areas of the Port-au-Prince Metropolitan area (including Croix-des-Bouquets, Bel Air and Carrefour-Feuilles) and in the South Department.

The United Nations is particularly supportive of efforts in areas that are essential for young people, such as access to quality education, health services, decent work and the promotion of the culture of peace and non-violence. It should be recalled that 57% of the Haitian population is under 24 (6.2 out of 10.9 million inhabitants), which represents a great potential for development and growth if young people have access to basic services and opportunities.

Nevertheless, the United Nations draws attention to the fact that adolescents, as key actors in development, are also among the most vulnerable to the challenges of natural disasters, lack of access to basic services, unequal working conditions and environmental degradation.

IH/ iciHaiti