PH Reaffirms Commitment as Champion of Youth Empowerment at Youth Dialogue on the Sidelines of the High-Level Event Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in Geneva

Justice Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez delivers the Philippine statement at the opening program of the Human Rights 75 Youth Dialogue on the sidelines of the High-Level Event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva on 11 December 2023.

GENEVA 29 December 2023– Justice Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez reaffirmed Philippine commitment to youth empowerment domestically and in the international fora at the Human Rights 75 Youth Dialogue on the sidelines of the High-Level Event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, held in Geneva on 11 December 2023. 

Usec. Vasquez underscored the enduring relevance of the UDHR as the world confronts global problems, such as climate change, extreme poverty and other structural inequalities, that greatly impact on the youth, especially women and girls. 

“Young people are drivers of prosperity, inclusivity, and resiliency. To harness your full potential, governments must invest in you through quality education and healthcare, among others”, Usec. Vasquez told human rights advocates from different organizations and countries in the world. 

He also highlighted that the Philippines has long recognized the importance of active and meaningful youth participation in policy-making and governance and has created the necessary institutions and mechanisms to make this happen. These include the National Youth Commission, Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) at the local government level, and the party-list system that allows for youth representation in the legislature.

In the UN, the Philippines is a strong voice for the youth with its membership in the Human Rights Council (HRC) Core Group that runs the biennial resolution on youth and human rights and in its role as penholder in the Core Group on the World Programme on Human Rights Education and Training (HRET). This year’s iteration of the HRET resolution, which the Philippines shepherded at the 54th Session of the HRC together with Brazil, Costa Rica, Italy, Morocco, Senegal, Slovenia, and Thailand, set out the thematic foci of the Fifth Phase of the World Programme starting in 2025. These are human rights and digital technologies, the environment and climate change, and gender equality, representing the most critical challenges that greatly impact on the well-being and human rights of young people. 

“The Philippine Government, inspired by and accountable to more than 31 million young Filipinos and counting, will continue to be a partner, amplifying the concerns, hopes, and aspirations of billions of young people all over the world”, Usec Vasquez stressed.

Usec. Vasquez was one of the speakers in the opening part of the dialogue together with Mr. Volker Tûrk, High Commissioner on Human Rights, H.E. Ms. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of Social Development and Family of Qatar, and Dr. Felipe Palullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.

The event was organized by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and co-sponsored by the HRC Core Group on HRET as well as El Salvador, Greece, Portugal and Qatar. END

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