Vienna, 14 May 2024 - Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for the largest generation in history, with close to 90 per cent of these youth living in developing countries.
“Given the impact that crime and violence have on younger generations, and also their energy and work as peacebuilders in their communities, we need youth perspectives and experiences feeding into policies that affect our present and future” - stressed the Chair of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), H.E. Ambassador Ivo Šrámek of Czechia, during the launch of the brand-new Generation Justice (GenJust) initiative by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The initiative aims to engage youth from across the globe in shaping the international agenda on crime prevention and criminal justice. In particular, GenJust seeks to make the 15th United Nations Crime Congress, and the process leading up to it, the most youth-inclusive one ever by creating space for young people to participate and contribute and amplifying their voices. The 15th Crime Congress will be held in 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
As part of the initiative, UNODC recently created the GenJust Youth Network, composed of fifty young people representing all regions who will engage in preparing for and following up to the 15th UN Crime Congress.
“The GenJust Youth Network, of which I am proud to be a part, recognizes the power and potential of the largest generation in history, a generation predominantly residing in developing nations. This underscores the urgency for meaningful youth engagement, especially in the face of rising crime and violence that disproportionately affects younger generations,” shares Rania Ali, one of the participants in the GenJust Youth Network.
As a refugee who directly witnessed the resilience of communities torn apart by crime and violence, Rania aims to bring in her personal and professional experience to chart the course for the future of crime prevention and criminal justice. She sees in GenJust an initiative that embodies the spirit of empowerment, recognizing the innovative capacity of youth and their ability to articulate profound truths.
“We cannot address issues of justice without acknowledging the interconnectedness of global challenges,” Rania notes. “Climate change, perhaps the defining issue of our time, exacerbates existing inequalities and threatens the very fabric of our societies. It is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of justice. Climate justice demands that we recognize the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, many of whom are already marginalized by poverty and violence. […] Together, we can build a future where justice prevails, where every voice is heard, and where the planet thrives.”
During the launch of the GenJust initiative, youth representatives from the previous UN Crime Congresses held in Doha in 2015 and Kyoto in 2021 highlighted the positive impact of injecting youth voices in intergovernmental fora, both for the inclusiveness of international policies and for their personal development alike. This message was reinforced during the GenJust foundation course delivered by UNODC on 7 and 8 May 2024, when several GenJust Youth Network participants expressed appreciation for the inclusive approach and for learning more, first-hand, about topics like access to justice, violence against women, violence against children, prison and penal reform, and cross-cutting issues including human rights, climate change, technology and youth. Increasing the knowledge of young people on such crucial topics will serve to enhance their contributions to the Crime Congress and also serve them in their lives.
