Engaging youth for global NCD agenda- experiences of youth parliament

Abstract

With speedy urbanization and globalization, there is looming threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, mental health disorders, and chronic respiratory illnesses, which are majorly preventable. Even though youngsters are affected more through NCDs and bear the emotional, financial, and social brunt of NCDs all through their lives, most preventive actions are not youth oriented. Therefore, active involvement of youngsters is desirable within all global development policy discussions and should be motivated. Youth Parliament can provide a forum to formulate pro-youth policies by engaging youngsters in critical thinking and discussions. Such forum can identify and discuss the key issues of NCDs and raise a collective voice to influence the policymakers of the government, nongovernmental organizations, donors, and civil society members.

Keywords

• Health
• noncommunicable diseases
• policy
• youth
• youth parliament