1. WHY SHOULD WE INVEST IN YOUTH POLICY?

2. THERE ARE SIX REASONS THERE ARE SIXBIG REASONS

3. 1. It makes economic sense Youth-focused policies can do a lot to strengthen future growth and protect industries

4. WE CAN INVEST IN OUR FUTURE Missed investments in young people’s potential are costly to reverse… for youth and for societyJoint Statement by Heads of United Nations Entities Launch of International Year of Youth

5. 2. It brings sectors together Good youth policy development means key stakeholders work cooperatively

6. WE CAN WORK TOGETHER Youth policy reaches across policy areas, creating dialogue between governments, civil society and the private sector

7. 3. It drives priority areas A youth policy focus drives key development areas that require urgent action

8. WE CAN TACKLE THE ISSUES Poverty and inequality Education & vocational training Employment Health particularly RH and HIV

9. 4. It creates successful programmes Policy has an important role in creating frameworks that establish the programmes to support young people

10. WE CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY To make the best use of scarce public funding, policy makers need to invest in programmes that have proven to be successful Joint Statement by Heads of UN Entities Launch of International Year of Youth

11. 5. It supports and commits to young people Young people are entitled to supportive youth policies that represent commitments from government

12. WE CAN SUPPORTOUR YOUNG POPULATION 61% of the world’s young people 10-24 years live in the Asia-Pacific region

13. 6. It honours regional and international agreements Policies that honour agreements promote the interests and rights of young people

14. WE CAN DO THE RIGHTTHING Youth deserve our full commitment – full access to education, adequate healthcare, employment opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General

15. CAN WE DO IT? HOW

16. CONSULT, COORDINATE, COMMUNICATE, COOPERATE

17. COLLECT AND USE GOOD DATA

18. INVOLVEYOUNG PEOPLE

19. PUT POLICY INTO PRACTICE

20. BECAUSE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT Policy gives direction to a country to provide the things they want for their young people

21. INVESTING IN YOUTH POLICY Read Investing in Youth Policy and find out why countries should develop youth policies www.investinginyouthpolicy.com Investing in Youth Policy shares good practices from seven countries in the Asia-Pacific Region Produced by UNICEF in cooperation with the Asia-Pacific Interagency Group on Youth, 2011