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.