Johannesburg, South Africa - On June 29, more than 120 youth delegates and young leaders from across the globe, gathered at the Youth Pre-forum during the 3rd Partners Forum for Maternal, Newborn and Child health (PMNCH) to discuss youth priorities within the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health agenda, and to devise a strategy for engagement as members of the RMNCH community and towards shaping the Post 2015 development agenda.

The outcome of the Youth pre-forum was the elaboration of an agreed outcome document consisting of key recommendation for the partner's forum and the post 2015 development agenda. To guide young people in this activity, panelists and floor contributors gave their recommendation and inputs.

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director, stressed how "up till now, the manner in which we have engaged young people has not been impressive".

Young people account for almost 2 billion worldwide, mostly located in developing countries. Majory of these youths lack access to sexual reproductive health, education, and often experience violence in many contexts. Young girls are the category who suffer the most. Young people's call urges for governments to be accountable and to include young people in the planning and programming for the next 15 years. However, this is not enough.

"Young people need to find a way to present their issues in a more powerful way, so that it will have a real impact in the international community and generate further discussion" says Dr. Osotimehin.

Today, young people's voices are not being heard as they should and they are not getting enough attention as the youth goal will not likely be included in the next Millennium Development Goals.

Dr. Babatunde challenged the youth delegates with the elaboration of a simple document where youth priorities for the post 2015 development agenda are outlined. This documents will be signed by one million young people, "two millions signatures" says a voice from the audience.

The petition was accepted by the young people with great enthusiasm and with a promise to keep advocating and working towards the inclusion of young people together with the help of organization such as UNFPA and, of course, Prof. Babatunde.

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