Reporting back from the ECOSOC Youth Forum – NYC

Reporting back from the ECOSOC Youth Forum – NYC

by | Dec 12, 2023 | News & Blog

In New York, the third annual ECOSOC Youth Forum concluded with a Global Youth Call being presented to Member States. Endorsed by more than 1,000 youth and civil society organizations from some 140 countries, the Global Youth Call is an emerging global consensus on concrete proposals for target areas on youth in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Forty speakers from the floor provided their comments and reflections on the consolidated document.

The key outcome from last week’s ECOSOC Youth Forum was an overall consolidation of youth priorties from several platforms of consultation incuding The World Conference on Youth in May, previous youth declarations and the online crowdsourcing platform for GPY2015. The result was the Global Call on Youth, an overarching document consolidating youth priorities from across the world for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

During the morning session, Doug Court with ITU delivered a presentation on the convergence of ideas, supported by data from the crowdsourcing platform, whereas moderator of the session Prateek Awasthi from UNFPA gave a detailed overview of the Global Youth Call.

The idea of ‘leave no one behind’ set the tone for the discussion, and the youth voice resounded strongly as young people shared their vision of the world they want to see post-2015. An important highlight extracted from the discussion was that the Post-2015 Development Agenda should be looked at holistically, as there can be no isolated goals. Youth participants also voiced the need to see and recognize the linkages between all of the five thematic areas outlined in the Global Youth Call, because these issues all inform one another.

President of ECOSOC H.E. Mr. Martin Sajdik and Secretary General of the United Nations H.E Ban Ki Moon address the ECOSOC Youth Forum.

In his closing remarks addressing youth, H.E. Mr. Martin Sajdik, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), said: “You exceeded my expectations. If you will be the leaders, you will do a good job, I’m sure.” He also pointed out that recommended action from these two days would be presented during ECOSOC’s high-level segment, and expressed hope that the Youth Forum would become part of the Council’s formal proceedings.

Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, in his concluding remarks stressed that the ECOSOC Youth Forum and the endorsement of the Global Youth Call were a collective accomplishment. He also reminded the participants that next year will mark the 20 year anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, and extended an open invitation to everyone to take part in continuing the discussion and work on advancing youth priorities.

For YOURS and the Global Youth Network for Road Safety – getting road traffic crashes mentioned under the specific health goal was crucial.

Floor Lieshout, who attended the ECOSOC Forum said, “We worked hard on this campaign and it was truly a joint effort. We represent our global youth network for road safety the best we can. We are literally YOURS. Having road traffic crashes mentioned in the Global Call on Youth is something we can celebrate together. We continue our campaign with individual lobbying at our governments. Thank you again for your support!”

Due to the combined efforts of the youth of the world and the global network for road safety, road traffic injuries featured prominently in the overall collation of words used in the health section of the Crowdsourcing platform. See in the middle of the wordle above to see the prominence of ‘road traffic injuries’ and ‘road safety’. More on this can be read here.

A video of part one of the closing session of the ECOSOC Youth Forum is available here, and part two here. Read the Global Youth Call here.

Road safety target in zero draft of Post-2015 Development Agenda!

Road safety target in zero draft of Post-2015 Development Agenda!

by | Dec 12, 2023 | News & Blog

We are very excited to share that a specific road safety goal has been mentioned in the zero draft in the “Introduction and proposed goals and targets on sustainable development for the Post-2015 Development Agenda”. The international road safety community, under the great leadership of FIA Foundation, has been working tirelessly to ensure that a specific target for safe and sustainable transport is mentioned in the coming agenda and this zero draft is a good sign of things to come, although the work does not stop here. Let’s keep it in!

Enormous progress has been made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs). Global poverty continues to decline, more children than ever are attending primary school, child deaths have dropped dramatically, access to safe drinking water has been greatly expanded, and targeted investments in fighting malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis have saved millions. 

The MDGs are making a real difference in people’s lives and, with strong leadership and accountability, this progress can be expanded in most of the world’s countries by the target date of 2015.

After 2015, efforts to achieve a world of prosperity, equity, freedom, dignity and peace will continue unabated.

The UN is working with governments, civil society and other partners to build on the momentum generated by the MDGs and carry on with an ambitious post-2015 development agenda.

At the September 2010 MDG Summit, UN Member States initiated steps towards advancing the development agenda beyond 2015 and are now leading a process of open, inclusive consultations on the post-2015 agenda. Civil society organizations from all over the world have also begun to engage in the post-2015 process, while academia and other research institutions, including think tanks, are particularly active. The set of eleven global thematic consultations and national consultations in over 60 countries is facilitated by the United Nations Development Group and involves partnership with multiple stakeholders.

Much of the conversation around the Post-2015 Development Agenda began with the UN’s Global Survey – The World We Want

In a recent ‘Zero Draft’ report entitled, “INTRODUCTION AND PROPOSED GOALS AND TARGETS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE POST2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA”, a specfic goal has been included under the health goal. Currently there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) included in the zero draft which are likely to be cut down.

List of Proposed Sustainable Development Goals to be attained by 2030

  1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  2. End hunger, achieve food security and adequate nutrition for all, and promote sustainable agriculture
  3. Attain healthy life for all at all ages
  4. Provide equitable and inclusive quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all
  5. Attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere
  6. Secure water and sanitation for all for a sustainable world
  7. Ensure access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable modern energy services for all
  8. Promote strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all
  9. Promotesustainableindustrialization
  10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
  11. Build inclusive, safe and sustainable cities and human settlements
  12. Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns
  13. Promote actions at all levels to address climate change
  14. Attain conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas
  15. Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt all biodiversity loss
  16. Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, rule of law, effective and capable institutions
  17. 17.Strengthen and enhance the means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development

Under the ‘Attain healthy life for all at all ages” the international road safety movement including the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration have been lobbying for a specific road safety goal and its is with great excitement that road traffic deaths have been mentioned in the zero draft of the SDGs.

This mention at this stage is testament to all the hard work the international road safety community has undertaken for road safety.

This is a great step in ensuring road safety is given focus in the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, however, we are far from our end goals. The next steps will be to ensure we keep this phrase in the final development agenda goals. The zero draft will undergo several ratifications and adjustments.

It is crucial that we keep up the lobbying pressure from the ground by writing to your UN Officials and heads of state with these model letters and guidance.

Eggs on Weed – Don’t Drive High campaign from Canada

Eggs on Weed – Don’t Drive High campaign from Canada

by | Dec 12, 2023 | News & Blog

A new campaign from Arrive Alive Drive Sober and Ontario Student’s Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) gives focus to the use of cannabis while driving. It has been developed to address cannabis use and driving for youth in Ontario. Eggs On Weed just like to chill out and crack jokes. See what happens when they take their party on the road.

Many teens mistakenly assume their ability to get awesome video game scores when they are high means they will also be more focused on the road.  But, 41% of drivers in recent serious crashes tested positive for drugs – so there goes that theory! Every joint contains different amounts of THC and can vary from 1% – 30%.  This is what makes driving high so risky.  You just don’t know what that joint’s gonna do to you.

Driving high is a Criminal Code of Canada offence, so you could lose your licence.  Or worse, suffer the embarrassment of having your Mom drive you everywhere.

Check out the Eggs on Weed Contest to for the chance to win an iPad

Need more proof on why smoking weed and driving is a bad idea?  Check out these studies for the straight goods:

Every time you go out with friends you need a game plan. Where are you gonna go? What are you gonna wear? But most importantly, how are you gonna get home?

Just like drinking and driving, it’s okay to admit that your driving skills are not “road worthy.” So make sure you always have a backup plan. Catch a ride with a designated driver, call a cab, or use public transit and you will be much more likely to arrive home in one piece.

Click here to view Eggs on Weed the campaign video or view it in the right column.

Kill your speed, not your mates – New TfL campaign for young people

Kill your speed, not your mates – New TfL campaign for young people

by | Dec 12, 2023 | News & Blog

The shocking consequences of speeding are brought home to young drivers as part of Transport for London (TfL’s) latest road safety campaign. A new advert depicting a young man confronting the tragic outcome of showing off while driving will screen in cinemas and on the XBox Dashboard for the next eight weeks.

A new advert, ‘Kill Your Speed Not Your Mates’ – which can be seen at cinemas across London and on the XBox Dashboard over the next eight weeks – depicts a young man facing the tragic outcome of showing off in the driving seat. One of TfL’s top priorities is to reduce by 40 per cent the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 2020. 

The Mayor and TfL have made six commitments which, working with a range of partners, are guiding a programme of work to deliver this target.A new road safety plan “Safe Streets for London”, published in June last year, sets out a clear path towards helping to reduce death and serious injury on the capital’s roads.

In 2012, 4,684 people in London were injured in collisions involving young drivers.

The campaign targets young drivers with the clear message that they should take more care of the people they care about; their friends.The BBC3 series ‘Barely Legal Drivers’ shows that while young drivers enjoy having their friends as passengers, they sometimes find themselves showing off behind the wheel and taking unnecessary risks.

This road safety campaign is the latest of a series launched by TfL to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in the Capital. This continuing work takes an even handed approach, with campaigns working alongside each other to protect all road users. Last month new campaigns were launched focusing on collisions involving teenagers, older pedestrians and at junctions and next week, the Driver Cyclist tips campaign will also be relaunched, giving advice to both road users, and helping to reduce casualties on London’s roads. In March, the Mayor and TfL announced that London Buses will carry out a groundbreaking trial of innovative detection software this summer, helping to further reduce the number of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in London.

A consultation on the draft Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, compiled by TfL working alongside key stakeholders, was also recently carried out, which looks to address the concerns and challenges faced by pedestrians across London, helping to turn the capital’s streets into a safer, more pleasant place for all.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director Surface Transport, Transport for London said:

‘Reducing casualties among all road users is a top priority for TfL and the Mayor. Our young car drivers campaign will help us continue towards meeting our ambition of a 40 per cent cut in deaths and serious injuries by 2020.

‘Driving too fast for the circumstances is often a factor in road collisions. Young drivers can lack road experience so judging hazards can be difficult.  This hard hitting campaign reminds young drivers that they are responsible for the safety of their friends and of the consequences of not taking care behind the wheel.’ For more info about the work the Mayor and TfL is doing to improve road safety, please visit here.

Click here to view the new campaign video on Youtube.

Save the Date! Third UN Global Road Safety Week 4-10 May 2015

Save the Date! Third UN Global Road Safety Week 4-10 May 2015

by | Dec 12, 2023 | News & Blog

On 10 April 2014 a new UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution – “Improving global road safety” – requested WHO and the UN regional commissions to facilitate organization of the Third UN Global Road Safety Week in 2015. WHO and the regional commissions are pleased to announce that the Week will be held 4 – 10 May 2015 and the theme will be children and road safety.

The Week will draw attention to the urgent need to better protect children and generate action on the measures needed to do so. While the international organizing committee for the Week further refines preliminary plans, partners worldwide are encouraged to establish a national or local organizing committee and develop a plan of activities, including with involvement of children.

The UN Road Safety Collaboration will host the Week’s global web site, which will grow and develop in the months ahead, with a toolkit for organizers, calendar of events and other advocacy materials.

UN global road safety weeks are called upon by governments through UNGA resolutions. They serve as important platforms for concerted advocacy. Global, regional and national events should engage governments, civil society, foundations, academia and the private sector – in fact all who seek to save lives by improving safety on the roads. As milestone events on the global road safety calendar, UN global road safety weeks give added impetus to the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 and its goal: saving 5 million lives. More information will be shared about advocacy campaigns to be conducted during the campaign so stay tuned!

For more information contact:
Decade Secretariat
Ms Laura Sminkey
Communications Officer
Email: sminkeyl@who.int
Tel: +41 22 791 4547

RELATED LINKS

Toyota Teams up with Taylor Swift for First ASEAN Road Safety Campaign

Toyota Teams up with Taylor Swift for First ASEAN Road Safety Campaign

by | Dec 12, 2023 | News & Blog

Celebrities, singers and famous faces are no stranger to the world of global road safety. The Decade of Action Campaign has seen support from hundreds of high profiles and the latest to join the list of safety conscious celebrities is global pop sensation, Taylor Swift. She teams up with Toyota for a South East Asia Road Safety Campaign!

oyota is launching its first Southeast Asian road safety campaign in five ASEAN countries as the official automotive sponsor of Taylor Swift’s The RED Tour presented by Cornetto. The seven-time Grammy® Award winner and her critically acclaimed RED Tour will be making stops in Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore this June.

Toyota believes that education is the basis for improving road safety, so it is focusing on young people with its Be Safety Leaders road safety campaign. The campaign emphasizes that creating a safer road environment requires a concerted effort by all road users including drivers, pedestrians and others in embracing road safety as a way of life. While Toyota constantly strives to create safer cars, it also encourages drivers and passengers to put on their seatbelts, as the simple act of buckling up helps save lives and reduce injuries from crashes.

This message is crucial: Toyota’s research in five Southeast Asian countries shows that only 25 percent2 of drivers and passengers wear seat belts, and that airbags work 153 times better when seat belts are worn.

To help bring this important message to young people, Taylor Swift will help educate her fans on the importance and safety of wearing a seat belt via a video message which will be screened at her upcoming June concerts and via online and social media platforms.Toyota’s road safety campaign will leverage a variety of advertising formats, social media and interactive technologies across Southeast Asia. Each concert venue will feature a Toyota exhibit where fans will have the opportunity to learn more about other safety initiatives by Toyota.

See Taylor Swift’s message for road safety.

To find out more about the Be Safety Leaders campaign, please visit the campaign’s website: http://www.besafetyleaders.com

Vehicle Safety Study in ASEAN (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam) on Seat Belt Usage – Source Toyota 2013

About Taylor Swift
Lauded by The New York Times as “one of the most important pop artists of the last decade,” and by Rolling Stone as “one of the few genuine rock stars we’ve got these days,” 24 year-old Taylor Swift is a seven-time Grammy® Award winner, and is the youngest winner in history of the music industry’s highest honor, the Grammy® Award for Album of the Year. With the 2012 release of her album RED, she is the only female artist in music history (and just the fourth artist ever) to twice have an album hit the 1 million first-week sales figure. She holds the record for the biggest digital sales week ever for a song by a woman, and for the second-largest song sales week overall, as well as the worldwide iTunes record for highest ever first-week album sales.

Taylor has career record sales in excess of 30 million albums and 75 million song downloads worldwide, and Time magazine has named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She is Billboard’s youngest-ever Woman of the Year, and her more than 100 industry award wins have included the American Music Awards’ Artist of the Year, the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year and three European Music Awards. With RED, Taylor became the first artist since the Beatles (and the only female artist in history) to log six or more weeks at #1 with three consecutive studio albums.

Communications Officer at YOURS, Mr Manpreet Darroch said, ‘It is fantastic to see popular musicians such as Taylor Swift taking action for road safety as an individual who has unprecedented reach and influence with young people. It is encouraging to see young musicians championing this cause especially since certain musicians in the spotlight are caught speeding and drink driving. YOURS supports this campaign!’