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This report presents an overview of the global situation of young people.

The report highlights the following issues: the impact of globalisation on young women and men; the use of and access to ICTs; the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people; the active involvement of young people in armed conflict, both as victims and as perpetrators; and the increased importance of addressing intergenerational issues in an ageing society.

Recommendations on these issues include:

• youth should be mainstreamed into poverty reduction strategies, emphasising the importance of poverty reduction among youth to the socio-economic development of the country. Young people should be consulted in the process of policy development
• there is a need for more quantitative and qualitative research on poverty alleviation among youth
• governments are encouraged to introduce and/or implement systems for validation of non-formal and informal learning for young people
• in order to have a real impact on poverty reduction, the challenge at national and international levels is to scale up the successful aspects of employment initiatives. There is a need to increase financial commitments to youth employment initiatives
• increasing the participation of youth in environmental protection depends on strengthening opportunities for young people to participate in the decision making of government-supported organisations and NGOs
• the leisure needs of young people should be considered in processes of urban planning and rural development, to ensure the availability of a range of constructive, voluntary activities and opportunities for youth
• efforts should be undertaken to foster intergenerational relationships and support the capacity of young people to participate meaningfully in programmes and activities that affect them
• health workers should be provided with specific training to be better able to communicate with young people to provide youth-friendly services and to build competence in handling the health concerns of young people
• special strategies are needed for youth at high risk of abusing drugs. They should include youth from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, refugees and displaced people, injecting drug users and sex workers
• gender analysis and awareness must be incorporated into all strategies undertaken to address the priorities of the World Programme of Action for Youth.

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