From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone, will address the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) during a permanent representation to the UN, starting Monday (15th July).
Minister Zappone will address a panel meeting of the Ireland and Global Education Monitoring Report at Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the UN. Minister Zappone will discuss the measures taken in Ireland to strengthen early-years education provision.
In commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child this year, Minister Zappone will attend the, “Leave no Child Behind: Achieving the SDGs through investing in the Rights of the Child” event at the HLPF. The Minister will highlight how Ireland is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with an emphasis on investing in child rights as a key accelerator for progress.
On Tuesday (16th July) Minister Zappone will address “Role of Youth and Civil Society in Climate Action” , an intergenerational dialogue in advance of the UN Youth Climate Summit taking place in September. The Minister will highlight the importance of the need for genuine engagement between leaders and youth on the issue of climate action.
Minister Zappone will also speak at the High Level Plenary Meeting, “Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development”. Minister Zappone will focus on Ireland’s Policy for International Development “A Better World” and Gender Equality.
Minister Zappone said:
“Among my priorities as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is to ensure that every child and young person, in Ireland, male or female, has equal opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives. We have placed gender equality at the heart of our new policy for international development, A Better World. The policy commits to increasing Ireland’s support to programmes directly related to achieving gender equality."
"A joint-up approach between the education sector, industry and employers, the political system and the civil society is required to remove any obstacles remaining which limit the involvement of young women in the workplace and other sections of society. Our Education Institutions and workplaces should always be beacons of equality, diversity and inclusion. If we allow women to become excluded from future job growth, it would not only harm gender equality in our society but would also leave our economy short of their talent, skills and knowledge.”
Minister Zappone will also meet with Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UN FPA along with Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason.
ENDS
The representation will include several elements.
Address by Minister Zappone at HLPF “Leave no Child Behind: Achieving the SDGs through investing in the Rights of the Child”. An event co-hosted by Ghana, Indonesia and Vietnam in partnership with UNICEF, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages International, World Vision and ChildFund Alliance.
Minister Zappone will participate at the Global Education Monitoring Report Event at Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the UN. The event will feature the launch of the Global Education Monitoring Report’s Beyond Commitments How countries implement SDG 4 report. The event will facilitate a discussion around the role of youth and governments in implementing SDG 4 and provide an opportunity to highlight best practices taking place in different member states. Minister Zappone will discuss the measures taken in Ireland to strengthen early-years education provision.
Minister Zappone will attend the ILO 100th Anniversary Event at UN HQ. Ireland is currently co-sponsoring an ILO exhibition marking its centenary. The exhibition features a quote from President Higgins and highlights the role of Irishman Edward Phelan in the foundation and early years of the ILO. Ireland is co-hosting the reception to inaugurate the exhibition.
Minister Zappone will attend the HLPF (Ireland Side Event): Climate Action – the Role of Youth and Civil Society in achieving Climate Change. Ireland and the Marshall Islands are co-leading a preparatory work stream on the topic of “Youth Engagement and Public Mobilisation” for the 2019 UN Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit which will take place in New York on 23 September.
Minister Zappone will address the High Level Plenary Meeting, “Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development”.
Minister Zappone will focus on Ireland’s Policy for International Development “A Better World” and Gender Equality.
Meeting with Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UN FPA.