Side-event Organized by the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) in collaboration with the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD)

United Nations 60^th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD60)

Youth Wellbeing: How COVID-19 has impacted youth around the globe

CSocD60 Priority Theme:
Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all:  eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Background:
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, youth in all parts of the world have faced immense pressure, from disruption in their education and economic opportunities, while having to deal with (mental) health factors, within social isolation, uncertainty and in many cases, while facing increased domestic violence within the family sphere. In fact, the pandemic has exacerbated already existing inequalities, leaving significant impact on youth’s emotional, behavioral, health, social and economic wellbeing. These changes and more have vastly impacted youth wellbeing, increasing the fear that this generation will be left behind.

Objectives:
This side-event aims to provide a platform for a diverse set of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and United Nations entities to undertake a policy dialogue to enable a better understanding of progress made and challenges faced by youth during the pandemic and to exchange experiences and lessons learned concerning new evidence and innovations targeted at youth. To that end, the side-event aims to address the following:

1. What are the main challenges that youth have faced during the pandemic?
2. What coping strategies did youth utilize to deal with the pandemic?
3. What role did families play in youth’s wellbeing during the pandemic?
4. Were there any positive takes on youth’s wellbeing during the pandemic and what were they?
5. How did policies and programs support youth during this time?