UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mrs Mary Robinson said today young people play a critical role in contributing to sustainable development.
In a message to mark International Youth Day, she said: "Young people, with their own world view can influence decision-makers to implement the deep changes that are needed to guide our world to a sustainable future".
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The theme of International Youth Day is sustainable development and comes ahead of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa at the end of the month.
Mrs Robinson said the summit must reinvigorate global commitment to sustainable development. She also said young people should continue to campaign for peace, against the denial of human rights, and for action on poverty, health including HIV/AIDS and for the end of discrimination.
"To campaign now for human rights and equality for all is to lay the groundwork for sustainable development for all, development that will not compromise the needs, dreams and possibilities of future generations," Mrs Robinson said.