We came. We shared. We committed. Now we take action!
16 February 2005

Recognising that as the leaders of future generations, we have specific rights, obligations and responsibilities, and that it is our duty to present to the global community our concerns and proposals for achieving and maintaining sustainable development for young people living in small island nations… (Youth Visioning Declaration)

Three youth representing each of the small island regions stood before the general assembly of the Main UN Meeting and clearly and confidently put forward their declaration. They were not only speaking for themselves but on behalf of their fellow Youth Visioning for Island Living participants and for their peers back home - making the voice of young people on small islands heard on the international stage.

The rest of the world took note.

96 youth representing 37 small island states around the world gathered at Pointe-aux-Sables, Mauritius from January 7-12, 2005, to interact, exchange ideas and inspire one another to enact positive change for the sustainable development of their islands.

One day was spent discussing each of the three themes: Life and love in the islands; My island home; Money in my pocket with additional time for workshops, cultural performances and participation in special events as part of the main UN meeting. The packed programme kept the participants busy but they remained focused on the creation of a Youth Visioning Declaration.

This kind of unprecedented meeting of bright young leaders from small islands had an impact in Mauritius and around the world.

Not only were numerous newspaper articles published but the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, accompanied by his wife, Nane, took the time to attend the Youth Visioning Closing Ceremony and offer words of support to the young delegates.

The international community also renewed its commitment to young people on small islands. The Mauritius Declaration from the Main International Meeting makes reference to the important role youth play in the sustainable development of SIDS and the need to encourage their efforts (Paragraph 15) as well as recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on women and youth in SIDS and committing to addressing this issue (Paragraph 17).

But Youth Visioning is much more than one meeting in Mauritius or a final declaration. The Youth Visioning initiative was envisaged as a three stage process and Stage 3: Follow-up and implementation of projects and activities is just getting started!

Youth Visioning is about taking action and turning the island vision of young people into a reality! The youth from each country represented in Mauritius made a commitment to a project that they would carry out when they returned home and now it is time to get those projects underway! And UNESCO and its regional partners are committed to helping every step of the way.

Keep checking back for exciting updates about the projects/activities being implemented as they take shape!