Niels Caszo,
President AIESEC International 2016-17 There are more young people in the world than ever before, creating an unprecedented potential for economic and social progress. There are about 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 – the largest youth population ever. Many of them are concentrated in developing countries. In fact, in the world’s 48 least developed countries, children or adolescents make up a majority of the population. - From the office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth These statistics can’t be ignored. The one thing that I’ve always wondered is that if there are so many of us, then why aren’t we being heard? And what actions can we be taking to make our home - Planet Earth, a better place for all ? Too many of these young people see their potential hindered by extreme poverty, discrimination or lack of information. But with proper investment in their education and opportunities, these young people’s ideas, ideals, and innovations could transform the future. In September 2015, 193 world leaders of the members states of the UN came together to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals that include ending extreme poverty, inequality and injustice, and battling climate change for a better world for everyone, everywhere. What a great time to live in! And while the MDGs formation and implementation had its fair share of questions, we’ve still managed to get 43 million more kids go to school; new HIV infections are
down by 40 percent; over 2 billion more people get clean drinking water; and extreme poverty has been reduced by half since 2000. If that’s not progress, I don’t know what is. Over the last few weeks, I found myself in conversations about politics, the wrongdoings of our presidents and governments, lack of infrastructure in our communities and access to education, which left me quite frustrated. What’s the point of talking about something you aren’t willing to take action about? We can spend time discussing issues, but in the end, it comes down to thisWhat are you willing to do about it? AIESEC’s vision of Peace and Fulfillment of Humankind’s Potential and the SDGs go hand in hand. And while achieving the Goals may not mean achieving our vision, it sure does take us closer to it. But like I mentioned earlier, the goals won’t achieve itself. Someone’s got to stop just talking about them and take action. And this is how we’re doing it. President AIESEC International 2016-17