Skip to main content

MUST READ: UN Secretary-General's Message for 2013

 
 
This year’s observance of International Youth Day focuses on the issue of youth migration.  Of the annual total of some 214 million international migrants, young people constitute more than 10 per cent, yet too little is known about their struggles and experiences.

The reasons young people migrate are many.  Some are fleeing persecution, others are escaping economic hardship.  Some are alone, others part of a family – with parents, siblings and even children of their own.  Some have communities to go to, others must make new connections.  In transit and at their final destinations, many young migrants face equal or greater struggles, including racism, xenophobia, discrimination and human rights violations.  Young women, in particular, face the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Poverty, crowded and unsanitary living conditions and the challenges of finding decent employment are regular features of the migrant experience.  These challenges are exacerbated by the current global economic and financial crisis.  Migrants are also often accused by communities and politicians of taking jobs from local people, exposing them to further risk of discrimination.  In other cases, young people left behind by migrating parents face psychological and social challenges and greater vulnerability.

It is important to emphasize the positive contribution young migrants make to societies of origin, transit and destination – economically and by enriching the social and cultural fabric.  Most work hard to earn a living and improve their circumstances. 

The remittances they send to support families in their home countries are a major contributor to economies worldwide.  When they return home, young migrants often enhance development by applying skills and ideas acquired abroad.  And, in many cases, women are empowered through migration as they gain financial and social independence.

In October, the United Nations General Assembly will host the second High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.  I urge Member States to consider youth migration.  Working with and for young people is one of my top priorities.  On this International Youth Day, I encourage Member States, youth-led organizations and other stakeholders to act to promote the rights of all young migrants and maximize the development potential of youth migration.
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                  Ban Ki-moon

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SPECIAL EDITION: PRAY OVER YOUR MARRIAGE and another love story

Dear readers,  Words are powerful. I have learnt to let most of the things I say be positive and contain a prayer. Praying God's word over your marriage is important.  Marriage is a blessing from God, but it is not always cherished the way it should be; Maybe because life gets busy, or we get distracted; Maybe because we start to take one another for granted; Or we disagree and let resentments hang on longer than they should. Hm! I was taught recently that the baggages we bring along from our past, into our marriages are a great burden as well. We take these baggages for granted but believe you me, most old baggages, are the cause of most broken marriages.  Some baggages are in the form of old girlfriends and boyfriends who are witches and wizards, or left some kind of spiritual bonding with your spouse. Some are in the form of just clingy exes. Some baggages may even just be low self esteem or extreme high expectations. When joined as ''one'', a new battle to...
4 comments
Read more

Akos breaks TV3 Mentor's male winner record

The male dominance in TV3′s Mentor  came to an end in the wee hours of Monday, August 19, 2013 when Roselyn Akosua Mantey, popularly called Akos, was adjudged winner of Season VII of the station’s flagship reality show.  She beat competition from Gabriel Ansah, populalrly known as Gabby, and Honny Kingsley Theophilus, also known as Honny, to walk away with the sleek Hyndai Accent saloon car. She will also be GH¢7,000 richer and will receive souvenirs from sponsors. Akos’ performance in the final, held at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), kept a large section of the audience chorusing her name as winner of the contest, which began with 16 contestants. The night began with performances from  Mentor IV  winner Michael Kesse Frimpong (Kesse) and  Mentor II  runner-up Joseph Nii Otu Ankrah, known during his “Mentor days” as Joe but now with showbiz monicker Nii. After the introduction of the various groups into which this season’s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Making the effort part 3 (TAKEN FOR GRANTED?)

Bonjour a tous, We have discussed conciously making up our minds to work on our marriages or relationships.  We have learnt to go to God in difficult situations, we have decided divorce is not an option. Does that mean we give a green pass to our spouse to be unfaithful to us?  Or for our spouses to neglect the core values of spicing up the marriage and keeping it enjoyable.  Marriage is about consisently doing life together. what do we do in our daily lives.  Lets remind ourselves; sleep, wake up, prepare breakfast, eat, take a shower, wash dishes, go to work, attend to peoples needs, come back home, have dinner, take another bath, sleep! Oh I think I left out prayer! And if you have kids under ten(not in all cases), helping them take a bath and getting ready for school and bed.  And making sure they are fed. On weekends its a whole new plan which may include more or less activities.  Can we think of not hurting our spouses or keeping them...
4 comments
Read more