On the occasion of the 28th
Session of Human Rights Council, IIMA addressed once again the topic of Youth
Empowerment, by delivering and oral statement co-sponsored by VIDES
International, Salesian Missions, Inc and VIS along with the
support of Comitato per la promozione e protezione dei diritti umani, Don
Bosco Network, Fundación Jovenes y Desarrollo, Misiones
Salesianas and VIA Don Bosco BELGIUM.

IIMA urged the  Council to address major challenges that
youth are facing in regards to the full enjoyment of their rights. The
statement highlighted the current inadequate political and social participation
of young people as one of the main cause of current inequalities experienced by
youth. The potential of youth people to contribute positively to the promotion
of development and human rights in their societies was well stated as one of
the main triggers for significant and positive changes.

Accordingly, IIMA called on
all Member States to take concrete actions at local and international levels in
order to: (i) empower young people, by ensuring their right to participation as
a natural consequence of child participation established by the Convention on
the Rights of the Child; (ii) systematically mainstream the implementation of
youth human rights through all relevant UN bodies, including Treaty Bodies,
Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review.