Scouts Contribute to Discussions on Enhancing Stakeholders Engagement with UN-Habitat
26 May 2019, Nairobi: A delegation of World Scouting participated in the UN-Habitat Global Stakeholders Forum that took place on 25-26 May at United Nations Office in Nairobi ahead of the week-long 1st UN-Habitat Assembly that kicks off on 27 May.
Convened under the theme “Harnessing Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Foster Innovative Urban Solutions” the forum bought together UN-Habitat accredited stakeholders and guests among the Civil Society, Private Sector, Academia, Women Children and Youth organizations, professionals and grassroots organizations among others.
The meeting discussed the general framework and spaces for stakeholder engagement with UN-Habitat. The agency also shared key priorities in its strategic plan 2020-2025 with an invitation to stakeholders to engage in their areas of interest. The development of UN-Habitat Stakeholder Engagement Policy and Accreditation Procedure, establishment of new Stakeholder Advisory Group as well as innovative mechanisms for achievement of SDGs and New Urban Agenda were also discussed.
The delegation from the World Scout Bureau Africa Support Centre comprising of Frederic Kama-Kama, Regional Director; Nelson Opany – Manager, Communications and Partnerships; and Grace Kamau – Assistant, Youth Programme carried the message of Scouts commitment to the SDGs through inputs into conversations around advocacy, innovative approaches to localizing SDGs as well as contributions to the outcomes document.
Addressing the Forum, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN-Habitat said, “Youth is not the leader of tomorrow but today. Youth, Children and Women is part UN-Habitat’s strategic plan and we would like to institutionalise youth engagement through developing progressive programmes that help us achieve New Urban Agenda and SDGs.”
The forum delivered perspectives on policy implications for innovation for better quality of life in cities and communities, implementation of the new urban agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, as well as, implementation of UN-Habitat Strategic Plan. A declaration targeted at the 1st UN-Habitat Assembly was also developed to inform future collaborative efforts with and among stakeholders.
The first session of the UN-Habitat Assembly will be held from 27-31 May 2019, at the UN-Habitat headquarters in Nairobi under the theme “Innovation for Better Quality of Life in Cities and Communities” with the sub theme as: “Accelerated implementation of the New Urban Agenda towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
The outcomes of the forum stem out of detailed discussions and consultations among stakeholders in which the Scout movement was ably represented. As a movement, Scouting remains committed to working with UN-Habitat and other UN agencies in advancing youth empowerment towards the achievement of SDGs.
