Its been just over a month since we celebrated the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety. Of course, the world has changed dramatically in the face of a global pandemic meaning, if the Assembly was scheduled just a month later, it would not have happened!

So, we are truly grateful and thankful that our injection of energy into the global youth movement for road safety was able to take place while many crucial events for road safety are being postponed. With that in mind, we look back at a super successful event through videos from the event that cover speeches, performances and discussions.

Showcasing some of the leading thinkers, practitioners and change-agents in road safety, we are delighted to share some videos from the event covering all the keynote speeches in the opening ceremony, panel discussions and performances. You can now check out what happened at the Assembly through our selection of videos.

Opening Ceremony Speeches

WATCH MORE VIDEOS AT THE WYA YOUTUBE CHANNEL

What is the price young people have to pay for mobility? Over one thousand youth are killed every day globally because of road crashes – the most affected are aged 15-29 years old. The 2^nd World Youth Assembly (WYA) will engage and involve young leaders from across the world. At the Assembly, they will be inspired and empowered with the skills and knowledge needed for them to act on issues anchored in road safety and safe mobility.

But this is not just any event. The Assembly is entirely youth-driven and organized by a Global Youth Taskforce of young leaders convened by global NGO YOURS – Youth for Road Safety.

Up to 200 young leaders from more than 75 countries will descend upon Stockholm, all selected for their exemplary leadership activities in the communities. They will engage in a full day of programming including high profile speakers, intergenerational talks, interactive workshops, arts and culture, live performances and action planning. There is also an opportunity to pitch for seed funding for road safety projects.

Through the WYA, youth leaders will adopt a Global Youth Statement on Road Safety that states “enough is enough”. It demands immediate action in protecting young people from this global scourge and expresses their commitment to achieving the goals established in the global agenda.

Young people began engaging their communities through youth consultations in September 2019 and more than 1500 young people in 55 countries spoke up and had their voices heard on safe mobility issues. The youth are calling out to decision-makers to involve them in road safety decision making through meaningful youth participation and stop the ‘business as usual’ approach that is seeing so many youths die every day on the world’s roads.

Young people are not alone in their mission for safe mobility and being supported by major partners including the World Health Organization who is co-sponsor of the event. Main partners include the Michelin Corporate Foundation and the Total Foundation and partners include Fundación MAPFRE and the Volvo Group.

Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health under the World Health Organization says that “Road traffic crashes have become the leading killer of our youth. Young people should therefore be part of addressing this scourge. Inaction and even “business as usual” are not acceptable. We know the solutions and they should be implemented now.  The 2nd World Youth Assembly will catalyse the youth movement for road safety, demanding and generating the action needed.”

Philip Legrez, Executive Director of Foundation Michelin, says that “we have always believed in promoting and supporting safe mobility to help people move forwards. It’s at the core of our values and remains deeply engrained in our DNA.”

Maolin Macatangay, a Global Youth Taskforce Member from the Philippines said, “We do not accept that thousands of our peers die on the roads around us every day and we are #ClaimingOurSpace for safe mobility and at the decision-making table to take action and prevent these daily tragedies”.

Manoelle Lepoutre, Managing Director of Foundation Total, says that “Total Foundation is stepping up alongside young people to support them in helping make real change in society. By including them in discussions and decisions, we will be able to find innovative solutions to make mobility safer.

Jesús Monclús, Road Safety and Preventive Area Director of the Fundación MAPFRE, adds that “We need the passion, creativeness and complicity of every single young girl and boy, woman and man, around the world, and in particular that of the young leaders meeting in Sweden with the goal of changing the world.”

President and CEO of the Volvo Group, Martin Lundstedt explains that the “Volvo Group has a vision of zero accidents with Volvo Group products and our commitment for road safety goes beyond just the products. We believe in unleashing the energy, passion and bright ideas of young people to create innovative solutions towards a safer world”.

The Assembly is a mechanism for youth to come together and bring road safety issues from their communities into the spotlight. Now, more than ever, people need to join the conversation on road safety in order to work toward a solution to curb and eliminate the preventable carnage and trauma on our roads.

Let’s start Claiming Our Space for road safety!

VISIT THE WORLD YOUTH ASSEMBLY WEBSITE

The 2nd World Youth Assembly, initiated by YOURS – Youth for Road Safety (YOURS), will take place in Stockholm on February 18th, the eve of the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. The Assembly will bring together young people who want to take action for the biggest public health threat of their time and demand a seat at the decision-making table. 

The 2nd World Youth Assembly, initiated by YOURS – Youth for Road Safety (YOURS), will take place in Stockholm on February 18th, the eve of the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. The Assembly will bring together young people who want to take action for the biggest public health threat of their time and demand a seat at the decision-making table.

The following organizations have been recommended for special consultative status:

• Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (Italy)
• Global One 2015 (United Kingdom)
• Gooddler Foundation (United States)
• Humanitarian Exchange and Research Center- HERE (Switzerland)
• International Institute for Research, Documentation and Training for the Prevention and Combating the Falsification of Health Products (France)
• International Interfaith Peace Corps, Inc. (United States)
• OneNess Foundations Diaspora United States (United States)
• Pangloos (France)
• Stichting Iranian Center for International Criminal Law (Netherlands)
• Stichting Youth for Road Safety- Yours (Netherlands)
• Tangata Group, Inc. (United States)
• The United Society (United Kingdom)
• Welcome Clubs International, Incorporated (United States)
• I-Smile International (Ireland)
• Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH (State of Palestine)
• Women in Politics Forum (Nigeria

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been actively engaged with the United Nations (UN) since its inception in 1945. They work with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in various ways, including in consultation with the Member States. NGOs contribute to a number of activities including information dissemination, awareness raising, development education, policy advocacy, joint operational projects, participation in intergovernmental processes and in the contribution of services and technical expertise.

Executive Director of YOURS, Mr Floor Lieshout said, “We are delighted to have been recommended to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to receive special consultative status. This will allow our organization to participate in the broader UN system and advocate for our cause!”.

Article 71 of the United Nations Charter, which established the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), states the following:

The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned.
— United Nations Charter, Chapter X, Article 71

Article 71 of the UN Charter opened the door to provide suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations. Thee consultative relationship with ECOSOC is governed today by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, which outlines the eligibility requirements for consultative status, rights and obligations of NGOs in consultative status, procedures for the withdrawal or suspension of consultative status, the role and functions of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, and the responsibilities of the UN Secretariat in supporting the consultative relationship.

The United Nations has been working to strengthen cooperation with NGOs across the entire United Nations system and in all areas of its work. As a result, United Nations entities are identifying new modalities to promote increased and more strategic participation of NGOs.

ECOSOC consultative status
ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation.
is accreditation framework benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs. As stated by resolution 1996/31 on the “Consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations,”

“… Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views.”
— ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 20

Late last year, the European Commission and the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety co-organised a Road Safety Roundtable in Brussels. During this event, two commitments were handed over: One from the European Commission and the EU Member States, namely the target of halving the number of fatalities and serious injuries on European roads between 2020 and 2030, and one from European cities, entitled “The New Paradigm for Safe City Streets”.

The city declaration has been coordinated by Polis and EUROCITIES.

Karen Vancluysen, Polis Secretary General, says:
“Death and serious injury are not an inevitable by-product of urban mobility. Urban mobility must become both sustainable and safe. Authorities at all levels, road safety agencies and police forces must work towards the same goal. With this declaration on road safety, local and regional authorities recognise their key role in building safe systems. We hope it will inspire many more cities across Europe and beyond to not only promote walking and cycling but to also invest in making these modes safe.”

Antoinette Maas, Deputy Mayor for Mobility, “Smart City” Helmond, says:
“A safe city goes hand in hand with sustainable goals. As a green and bicycle friendly city, we always strive for more walking and cycling. Improving the safety of our streets will unlock the potential for walking, cycling, public transport and a growing number of shared micro-mobility options which helps us achieve climate and air quality objectives.”

Ingmar Streese, Permanent Secretary for Transport, Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection, says:
“Berlin supports the Joint Declaration of European Cities on an immediate and stronger focus on road safety. The vision zero and the principles of the Declaration correspond to the objektives and requirements for action defined in Berlin’s Mobility Act. A common European understanding will help a lot of cities to find new approaches and solutions in favour of road safety.”

Miguel Gaspar, Lisbon’s Deputy Mayor for Mobility and Safety, says:
“In Lisbon we want City streets to be places for life. People come first, and we must make sure that Active Mobility is safe and comfortable, and that vulnerable users are protected. That’s a cornerstone of our Mobility policy.”

Adelheid Byttebier, Vice-Mayor of Mobility in Shaarbeek, says:
“We are happy to sign the New Paradigm because it is the most complete overview of what we as cities need to do to ensure road safety. In Schaarbeek, for example, we’re working on ‘Safety leads to efficiency’ by reducing the speed limit to 30km/h and modifying the outlooks of our streets so they’re equally welcoming to cyclists and pedestrians.”

Konstantinos Asikis, the Head of the Planning department of the Municipality of Farkadona, says:
“By supporting this declaration, we make a conscious choice to implement our safe and sustainable mobility visions as a social prosperity critical factor.”

Floor Lieshout, YOURS – Youth for Road Safety’s Executive Director added:
“Cities are very attractive to young people. They offer jobs, education, shops, entertainment and of course other young people. We owe it to the youth and all other citizens to design and build the healthiest and safest cities possible [so that they can thrive and prosper]. Cities wake up and act now! YOURS fully supports the ‘City Declaration’ and will encourage youth to claim their space.”

The Global Alliance will present these commitments to the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm in February 2020.

DOWNLOAD THE DECLARATION

VISIT THE POLIS WEBSITE