The youth are our future. They hold in their hands the agency to affect the world’s politics, progress, and reform. Over 50% of global youth (or over 1.1 billion people aged under 30) reside in Asia and the Pacific—a region facing many issues in water scarcity and climate change. If we are to achieve water security and resilience in our region, we must find a way to better engage the youth.
ADB’s Water Sector Group has partnered with ADB’s Youth for Asia to develop a roadmap for Meaningful Youth Engagement in the water sector. The roadmap includes evidence of the effectiveness of youth participation and pathways to achieve it.
Transcript
The youth are our future. They hold in their hands the agency to affect the world’s politics, progress, and reform. Over 50% of global youth (or over 1.1 billion people aged under 30) reside in Asia and the Pacific—a region facing many issues in water scarcity and climate change. If we are to achieve water security and resilience in our region, we must find a way to better engage the youth.
ADB’s Water Sector Group has partnered with ADB’s Youth for Asia to develop a roadmap for Meaningful Youth Engagement in the water sector. The roadmap includes evidence of the effectiveness of youth participation and pathways to achieve it.
Young people must be fundamental partners in improving water security. This means promoting safe and conducive spaces for intergenerational collaboration where youth can co-decide and co-implement decisions affecting their future.
Chanra Nhov
Water Engineer
Provincial Capacity Development Technical Assistance Consultant (PCDTA)
I think having youth as the focal person in the village development committee in the community is the best.
Serey Chheut
School Director
Prey Pdao Primary School
Youth is fundamental to the community’s development.
Developed through intergenerational dialogue with water stakeholders, the roadmap sets out five objectives in support of a water-secure Asia and the Pacific that empowers its youth to work with governments and local communities.
For each objective, the roadmap draws a set of actions to influence policy, projects, and program design. It also seeks to generate and share knowledge to deepen the understanding of the youth perspective, and provide a voice for young people in influencing change.
Seizana Pen
Youth Wash Coordinator
Cambodia
My name is Seizana Pen; I am Cambodian. I got the opportunity to work as a Youth WASH coordinator in ADB’s rural water supply and sanitation project. I am here because I believe that every young person can contribute to achieving a vision of water supply and sanitation for all. I am here to bring out and implement the novel ideas that youth have; I believe youth has the potential and will to contribute and youth can change mindsets in communities.
Sengchan Kongmany
Chomcheng Village, Long District, Luang Namtha Province
Hello everyone, construction of the water supply treatment plant in Long district has now been completed. It started its operations on 4 March 2021 to supply clean and safe water to all people in Long district.”
Mafalda Pinto
Water Resources (Young Professional)
Asian Development Bank
If we want to bring and sustain innovation, digitalization, climate resilience and inclusiveness to our water projects and programs, then we need to build the right cadre within our water entities on the ground.
Christian Walder
Water Supply And Sanitation Specialist
Asian Development Bank
A starting point will be to assess how inclusive your water entity is and prepare a roadmap. Together we can achieve water security and resilience in our Asia and the Pacific region, by involving the majority citizens of tomorrow, our youth.
Source: Asian Development Bank