Liberia- The president of the All-Africa Student Union and Co-Chair of the World Youth Group at the United Nations (UN) Varney Alieu Jarsey, has stressed the urgency of addressing global Youth-related issues which can be tackled by conviction and commitment by world governments.

The All – African Student Union president said African youths see numerous challenges in the youth community globally, and are prepared for those challenges.

He made the declaration recently during the celebration of the twenty-second International Youth Day at Smile Liberia on Russell Avenue in Monrovia.

Mr. Jarsey said youths problem can be solved but if it is acknowledged and by joining hands to address them.

“As we observe the twenty-second International Youth Day, we at the World Youth Group indisputably, the youth occupy the largest portion of the global population pie, and we the members of the various continental leadership of the World Youth Group situated at the United Nation Headquarters in New York understand the diverse responsibilities we bear in relations to raising adequate attention to issues affecting youth around the world,” Mr. Jarsey stressed.

He said among the challenges is the rise in global poverty, adding since the unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis that has devastated almost all countries, particularly developing nations, and world youths have seen a lack of preparedness and management of resources and the issue of vaccine equity.

The All – African Student Union president revealed that the number of children living in multidimensional poverty has soared to approximately 1.2 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing a new United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) study.

He noted that the rise in commodity prices, climate change, war amongst other vices is driving the shift in the problems faced by youth globally.

The African youths boss said it is time to talk and act on food equity while he mentioned that domestic food price inflation remains high around the world.

Mr. Jarsey: “Data between March and June 2022 shows high inflation in almost all low and middle-income countries; 93.8% of low-income countries, 89.1% of lower-middle-income countries, and 89% of upper-middle-income countries have seen inflation levels above 5%, with many experiencing double-digit inflation.”

He added that the share of high-income countries with high inflation has also increased sharply, with about 78.6% experiencing high food price inflation.

Mr. Jarsey said as of July 15, 18 countries have implemented 27 food export bans, and seven (7) have implemented 11 export-limiting measures, noting that in all related circumstances, the youth shoulder the brunt of the ensuing difficulties.

Moreover, the All – African Student Union president has suggested that as part of climate action, climate education, and poverty eradication, young people must be encouraged and trained to handle issues those fields.

However, he applauded world leaders for their staunch support of self-reliance never stopping in taking the lead in the fight against climate change and climate education.

At the same time, he said during this year observance of the International Youth Day, it was important to place emphasis on some of the perennial problems that affect Africans, especially young people.

He used the occasion to frown on the addiction to social media and drugs by youths globally. Mr. jersey said studies have proven globally that between ages 10-14 years, suicide rates have tripled.

Mr. Jarsey revealed suicide rates are significantly higher among African American children younger than 13 years, adding that beyond the two-hour mark of social media usage, kids have more mental health problems, including distress and suicidal ideation.

However, he cautioned young people to recognize that social media can be a useful tool in advancing themselves instead of using it for recreation. He said young people can harness the power of social media by using it for business and education through which means they will benefit themselves and prevent the harmful effects of social media.

Mr. Jarsey recounted countless universal problems ranging from widespread poverty to seeking better education, from lack of employment opportunity to drug addiction, from solid parental guidance to abuse by politicians, affecting young people today.

The All – African Student Union president said statistics indicate that there are 1.2billion young people aged 15 to 24yrs, accounting for 16 percent of the global population, and that by 2030-the target date for the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) that make up the 2030 Agenda-the number of youth is projected to have grown by 7 percent to entirely 1.3billion.

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Mr. Jarsey averred that it is without doubt that the future of the world depends on the youth, and if young people are to excel and fulfill their potential, the multitudes of problems- massive unemployment, unsustainable means of educational opportunity, pandemic-imposed barriers to youth progress, illicit drug use and addiction, national conflicts during which youth are exposed to violence and other abuses need to be addressed.

He then challenged world leaders to address the mounting challenges being faced by youth globally

“Therefore, I challenge world leaders and stakeholders to form concerted efforts and rally for the up liftment of every young person around the world and when this is achieved, our world will be a better place for everyone, including the youth who invest their time, energy, and resources in effecting genuine change in a world where progress is not only dependent on science and technology but profound innovation,” Mr. Jarsey concluded.