During the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), UN Member States, Civil Society Organizations, private sector and media gathered on the topic of Transforming Humanitarian Action with and for Young People1, and called to align strategies, approaches and programmatic responses to reach all young people and empower young women and men, and adolescent girls and boys to be agents of positive transformation.
A ‘Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action’ was established and is now endorsed by more than 50 organisations to ensure that the priorities, needs and rights of young women and men, and adolescent girls and boys affected by disaster, conflict, forced displacement and other humanitarian crises, are addressed, and that they are informed, consulted, and meaningfully engaged throughout all stages of humanitarian action.
The Compact builds on previous initiatives led by and for young people including the 2015 Doha Youth Declaration2, Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, and the 2016 Global Refugee Youth Consultations. The Compact for Young
People in Humanitarian Action call for a long-term commitment to 5 core actions3 related to:
The Guidelines will contribute to the commitment made under Compact Core Action 14 “Promote and increase age- and gender-responsive and inclusive programmes that contribute to the protection, health and development of young women, young men, girls and boys within humanitarian settings”.