Focus Areas

Adolescent health and development: The world's population of young people is the largest in history. Ninety percent live in developing countries. New epidemics are making young people worldwide increasingly vulnerable. [Read more]

Youth employment: Unemployment increases the exposure of youth to many social and economic risks, particularly in poor and conflict-affected countries. [Read more]

Child protection: The well-being of millions of children continues to be compromised. Increasingly large numbers become orphans, street children, refugees, victims of war and emergencies, migrant workers, or abused and exploited. [Read more]

Disability:  Around 400 million people in developing countries live with a disability, outnumbering most other marginalized groups. More than 200 million are children and youth. [Read more]

Gender and men's participation:  Women comprise seventy percent of the world's poor. Their life-long lack of empowerment and their weak position within the family structure is a major factor in the entrenched high rates of poverty and poor maternal health. [Read more]

Water and sanitation:  Safe water and sanitation are critical for human health. More than one billion people are without access to safe water. [Read more]

Please note that the Millenium Development Goals are:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases  
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development