Intervention by H.E. Ambassador OSUGA Takeshi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Ambassadorial-level meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on “Youth, Peace and Security”
2020/2/11
Thank you, Ambassador de SOTO of Columbia, for giving me the floor. First of all, I wish to thank the young speakers for being with us and sharing their views on “Youth, Peace and Security”.
It was truly eye-opening for me and, I imagine, for many other ambassadors who used to be young so many years ago. In that regard, Mr. Chair, Japan wishes to commend you for convening today’s meeting, which demonstrates once again the significance of thematic discussions in this Commission.
Youth agenda is so close to my heart, because “youth” is at the center of “peaceful and inclusive societies” stipulated in the Goal 16 of the SDGs. Also, because “youth” is intimately connected to the notion of “human security” Japan has been advocating for years. Human security means that all individuals should have equal opportunity to fully develop their human potential, which is naturally greatest among the young people. Human security approach calls for twin strategy of “protection and empowerment”, which is also most relevant to youth, in particular under the situation of fragility.
For the sake of being interactive, I have one question to Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, SG’s Envoy on Youth: What concrete role and actions would you expect the youth in Japan or in any other developed countries to take in the context of peacebuilding and sustaining peace?
The Secretary General’s Envoy told us this morning that “Youth, Peace and Security” is not just an agenda for developing countries but for developed countries as well. Japan’s experience in implementing the SDGs tells us that sensitizing public opinion, including among youths, to take actions to achieve each Goal inside the Japanese territory is relatively simple. However, mobilizing them to contribute to the achievement in another country is another story.
So, I would rephrase my question as follows: How could the Governments in developed countries incentivize and mobilize the youngsters in their respective countries to take concrete actions to contribute to building peace, not just through supporting advocacy activities or funding capacity-building projects that their youths are engaged in?
If you do not have enough time to answer to my question this morning, please give us your full answer when you visit Japan next week and interact with Japanese youths and officials.
Thank you.
It was truly eye-opening for me and, I imagine, for many other ambassadors who used to be young so many years ago. In that regard, Mr. Chair, Japan wishes to commend you for convening today’s meeting, which demonstrates once again the significance of thematic discussions in this Commission.
Youth agenda is so close to my heart, because “youth” is at the center of “peaceful and inclusive societies” stipulated in the Goal 16 of the SDGs. Also, because “youth” is intimately connected to the notion of “human security” Japan has been advocating for years. Human security means that all individuals should have equal opportunity to fully develop their human potential, which is naturally greatest among the young people. Human security approach calls for twin strategy of “protection and empowerment”, which is also most relevant to youth, in particular under the situation of fragility.
For the sake of being interactive, I have one question to Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, SG’s Envoy on Youth: What concrete role and actions would you expect the youth in Japan or in any other developed countries to take in the context of peacebuilding and sustaining peace?
The Secretary General’s Envoy told us this morning that “Youth, Peace and Security” is not just an agenda for developing countries but for developed countries as well. Japan’s experience in implementing the SDGs tells us that sensitizing public opinion, including among youths, to take actions to achieve each Goal inside the Japanese territory is relatively simple. However, mobilizing them to contribute to the achievement in another country is another story.
So, I would rephrase my question as follows: How could the Governments in developed countries incentivize and mobilize the youngsters in their respective countries to take concrete actions to contribute to building peace, not just through supporting advocacy activities or funding capacity-building projects that their youths are engaged in?
If you do not have enough time to answer to my question this morning, please give us your full answer when you visit Japan next week and interact with Japanese youths and officials.
Thank you.