Intersection of UN Sustainable Development Goals and Youth Empowerment

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Begum Yildiz

Youth Mobilization, Empowerment, and Social Value Construction

The growing concern over the erosion of values among people underscores the urgent need to empower them through active involvement in social issues. To effectively address the complexities of our rapidly changing social environments, youth engagement activities must be dynamic and adaptable. The swift evolution of technological, economic, ecological, legal, and social landscapes, along with the global rise in youth empowerment efforts, will have a significant impact on society. To thrive in a volatile and competitive world, youth organizations and partnerships must become more interconnected and holistic, with a stronger emphasis on human values and a deeper commitment to others. Holistic, value-oriented activities can foster integrated personalities, supporting the optimal development of the physical, emotional, mental, aesthetic, moral, and spiritual aspects of both individuals and communities (Shobha & Kala, 2015).

Understanding Values

Values represent core convictions that certain behaviors or end-states are preferable, either personally or socially. They carry a judgmental element, reflecting an individual's beliefs about what is right, good, or desirable. Values have both content and intensity, forming an individual's value system. This system is typically shaped by factors such as national culture, parental guidance, education, peer influence, and environmental elements. While values are relatively stable and enduring, they can evolve through exposure to different value systems or by questioning existing ones (Shobha & Kala, 2015).

Education is not merely about imparting knowledge; it is also about character building. Learners need guidance in self-development so that values become an integral part of their character. There is a strong belief that we are currently facing a crisis in character formation. As the world increasingly demands greater communication and unity, there is an urgent need to cultivate values of cooperation, mutuality, and harmony through active engagement. The harmony between humans and nature is also receiving more attention due to global concerns about environmental protection (Shobha & Kala, 2015).

The troubling trend of rising enmities across the world highlights the importance of active engagement and partnerships that promote values such as discipline, respect, self-control, and peace. Fundamental duties, including the pursuit of noble ideals like non-violence, the promotion of harmony, a spirit of common humanity, and the strive for excellence, have been emphasized. As human life becomes more complex, individuals must be equipped with the skills to navigate these complexities, which requires a radical change in human nature achieved through moral transformation at a collective level (Shobha & Kala, 2015).

Youth Empowerment and Social Transformation

In exploring the transformative role of youth in shaping personal, social, civic, political, and economic landscapes, it is crucial to align youth actions with universal moral principles, foster social inclusion, advance gender equity, and build a sustainable future. Youth engagement fosters personal empowerment, builds self-confidence, and develops leadership skills. Active participation by youth strengthens community bonds and promotes civic responsibility. Youth mobilization also influences political discourse and policy-making, often leading to economic reforms that address the needs of younger generations. By aligning youth action with universal moral principles, we can create a more inclusive and equitable global society. Youth mobilization plays a critical role in societal transformation, bringing fresh perspectives, energy, and creativity, driving innovation, and challenging the status quo. Youth activism promotes social inclusion by advocating for marginalized communities and addressing systemic inequalities. Youth movements are instrumental in advancing gender equity, challenging traditional norms, and promoting gender-sensitive policies. Youth are key actors in the process of localization, where local actions have global impacts, and vice versa. They work to align global values with local practices, creating more inclusive and equitable societies. Youth-led initiatives are vital for achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as climate action, education, and gender equality.

How and Where to Begin?

I believe the very first step in activism is to start with oneself. A person should first know themselves. This requires facing all features of ourselves and then accepting our mistakes or areas for improvement. In doing so, we eventually have the opportunity to become the best version of ourselves. This is both an Islamic principle and a necessity for humanity.

When we achieve such personal awareness, we are more likely to recognize others’ problems, needs, vulnerabilities, and so on. As you certainly see, today’s world is facing tremendous issues, including women’s rights, climate change, health diseases, animal rights, racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, LGBTQ discrimination, and more. Given that we, as human rights activists, are committed to improving the world as much as we can, we believe that there is always a way to make changes - even ones that may seem small but are just as significant enough. To not be overwhelmed and exhausted, I believe it is essential to determine our priorities. Yes, of course, we should care about all these issues. However, if we do not plan ahead according to our capabilities - time-wise, energy-wise, interest-wise, resource-wise - we risk burning out in a very short time. And that means we would not only be unable to help others but also fail to help ourselves. For instance, I work for a human rights organization that focuses on all kinds of violations in Turkey. As you know, Turkish people have been enduring severe and brutal violations and persecution. I also do academic work which is very intense. Therefore, I need to be well-organized in terms of timing, scheduling, and prioritizing my work. Let me repeat: all kinds of human rights issues have extreme importance, yet since it is impossible for me to address them all, I absolutely must be aware of what I can do, when I can do it, and how much I can do. One final point about programming is that if you draw a parallel between different responsibilities and interests, it would help you make the most of your work. I study women’s and gender studies in academia, and in my human rights work, I focus primarily on women’s issues. For other topics, I coordinate with others rather than doing the work myself.

As people who engage in human rights work, which also makes us vulnerable, we need nutrition - not only food-based but also psychological and mental. For me, there are a couple of resources in this regard. Firstly, spiritual nutrition. The Qur’an plays a huge role in our lives, and I recommend not just reciting it but also learning its meaning. I will refer to my earlier words about prioritizing here. Considering the huge amount of time we spend on other responsibilities I think focusing on the topics we study and work on in our academic and professional lives would be much more useful while preferring to learn the interpretations of Qur’anic chapters or verses. I will revisit my personal experience. I am part of an independent research group in which we study gender-based verses in the Qur’an and also Hadith. In this case, I have the opportunity to nourish myself spiritually, learn my religion better, and also improve myself in my academic and activist work. You can see the bridges I am trying to build. Another source of nutrition for me is working on projects with young people because they let me feel more energetic, more hopeful, and more productive. I believe this is a very productive cycle: the more I work with youth, the more I am able to help others.

The last thing I’d like to discuss about that is an energy saver and energy generator for me is not to get stuck in the past and in dismal thoughts. By this, I mean that I know I have made a lot of mistakes in the past in terms of human rights. I didn’t pay enough attention to others’ persecutions or human rights issues. However, I strive to avoid the negative impact of these mistakes and rather focus on today. I learn my lessons from my past experiences and try to do my best today based on those lessons. At this point, not letting in the dismal thoughts is significant. If I see the brutal incidents in Turkey and all around the world and do nothing but get lost in helplessness, I find myself sinking into pessimism, depression and eventually criticizing the actions of others. This is not what a Muslim or an aware individual is supposed to do.

Taking Action for Youth Empowerment

Now let’s move on to the actions for youth empowerment. First of all; youth empowerment has many benefits, including:

  • Reduced poverty
  • Improved education
  • Reduced crime
  • Improved social skills
  • Increased self-esteem and self-efficacy
  • Improved behavior
  • Increased academic achievement
  • Sustainable development
  • Positive civic action

As you see, individual improvements are both linked with and lead to societal developments.

UN SDGs 16 and 17: Social Justice, Youth Mobilization And Partnerships

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels,

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Drawing on these specific goals, let me dive a bit more into strategic points inspired by the Youth for SDGs Action Network in terms of combining strength and cause to do something ASAP. ASAP is a model for taking action.

  • Awareness: Educate others to change behaviors. Examples for this action item include encouraging recycling and healthy eating; discouraging smoking, bullying, and drug use; and teaching young adults and children how to be prepared for disasters.
  • Service: Use your passion, creativity, and idealism to solve problems through volunteering. Examples for this specific action item are tutoring, mentoring, planting trees, and cleaning neighborhoods.
  • Advocacy: Persuade policymakers to change policies and laws. Examples of advocacy include rallies, marches, protests, meetings with elected officials, speaking at public forums or meetings, voter education, organizing petitions, and online advocacy.
  • Philanthropy: Collect and donate financial and in-kind support. Examples of philanthropy include raising money for disaster relief, clean water wells, or research to treat and cure diseases; food drives and supply drives; and collecting books for children.

Going forward towards partnerships and collaborations, I strongly believe - and also observe - that we can bridge people all around the world and share their experiences of good deeds and coping mechanisms with vulnerabilities so that others can find ways to apply these in their experiences.

Engaging Youth in the Call to Service

What do we really mean by "youth asked to serve"? Often, we see young people who are enthusiastic and ready to take on service opportunities. As more youth become interested in participating in service projects and organizations seek to recruit them, it becomes an urge to create an environment where these youth can also experience the significant benefits of being a positive influence in their community.

As I mentioned earlier, individuals and societies are directly connected; we need interconnected actions, which means we need to focus on “Reaching Out to Community Partners.”

Who are they?

  • Youth Serving Organizations
  • Issue-based and Advocacy Groups
  • Educational Institutions
  • Businesses and Corporations
  • Faith-based Organizations
  • Government Departments, Agencies, and Public Officials
  • Youth Committees or Councils
  • Athletic Groups or Associations
  • Neighborhood Associations
  • International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

In this sense, we need to be prepared, during our first meeting, to answer some questions about our group or organization. We need to know and articulately express:

  • The purpose of our organization,
  • Our vision for the future,
  • The history of our organization – how, when, and why it got started,
  • How our organization contributes to the life of our community,
  • What programs we offer,
  • Why we chose to focus on those programs,
  • What our organization’s strengths are,
  • What our organization’s needs and expectations are.

In conclusion, empowering youth is essential for building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. By fostering personal development, aligning actions with universal moral principles, and encouraging active engagement in social issues, we can equip young people with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of our world. Through strategic partnerships and holistic approaches, youth can drive positive societal transformation, ensuring that the values of cooperation, respect, and justice are upheld in the face of global challenges. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue nurturing these efforts, recognizing that the strength and vitality of our future lie in the empowerment of today's youth.

Author Bio

Begum Yildiz is a Gender Studies researcher based in the United States, dedicated to empowering girls and women through international organizations such as the United Nations. With a background in English Literature, Yildiz's research centers on human rights and the status of women in Muslim contexts. Her primary focus is on the integration and adaptation experiences of Muslim immigrant women as they navigate the redefinition of their cultural identities. She aims to analyze the lives of Muslim women, investigating the challenges they face within their cultures before, during, and after conflicts. Yildiz's research explores the coping mechanisms employed by immigrant women to overcome various challenges, including social discrimination, oppression, and violations of basic rights, across different contexts such as their home countries, refugee camps, and new settlements. Since relocating to the United States in 2016, Yildiz has broadened her research interests and actively engages in women's rights movements. Over the past nine years, she has organized and spoken at international panels and conferences focused on women's issues and experiences. Additionally, she mentors youth, encouraging them to participate as researchers and speakers in these events.

References

  1. Shobha, S., & Kala, N. (2015). Value Education towards Empowerment of Youth-A Holistic Approach. Procedia, Social and Behavioral Sciences, 172, 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.354
  2. United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
  3. Youth Service America. (n.d.). Service-Learning Experience Toolkit. https://ysa.org/resources/toolkit/