Quito, 14 October 2016 – Young people participating at the YoutHab Conference have gathered in Quito, Ecuador, to develop a “DeclarACTION” to seek local authorities’ commitment to youths within the framework of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and strengthen the partnership between them. Supported by UN-Habitat and a coalition of 10 civil society partners, youth worked round the clock to assure that everyone’s perspective was heard and reflected in the final statement.

The Mayor of Quito Mauricio Rodas, opened the YoutHab conference with a strong endorsement of youth’s engagement in the New Urban Agenda.

"Certainly the more voices and more participation we have in these discussions [on the New Urban Agenda], we will have better elements to build a city more respectful of human rights, a city that offers quality public services, a more democratic city where everyone can access spaces, have first class infrastructure, booming economic development and social inclusion under a clear focus on respect for the environment, natural resources", stated Mayor Rhodes.

The “DeclarACTION” proposes goals and actions that fulfill youths’ demands and needs to achieve more just, safe, healthy, accessible, affordable, resilient and sustainable cities and builds a roadmap to cities’ governments and young people work together.

The approved document included not only the actions co-created by young people present in the YoutHab conference but also the propositions of consultations and position papers written and/or subscribed by youths that were previously systematized and integrated to the process the development of the DeclarACTION to ensure an inclusive and integrated approach. In YoutHab people from 14 countries were present and propositions from 20 countries were systematized as a part of other regional and international the 5 regions of the world consultations and positions papers.

The “DeclarACTION” will be officially launched and available on Youthab’s website in the first day of Habitat III, October 17th, 2016 when the first approach with youthmand with the horizon of an approved NUA begins. Bellow, a first overview of its content with the goals developed. Please see this link for updates on the DeclarACTION here.