BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 18. An international
conference titled “The Role of Youth in Urban Planning in the
Decolonization Process” will be held on May 20 as part of the 13th
Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku,
Trend reports.
The event is being organized by the Baku Initiative Group and is
expected to mark the first international gathering of the Global
South Youth Platform, established by young representatives from
countries around the world at the initiative of the
organization.
For the first time, the United Nations Youth Office will also be
represented at the conference.
Participants from 22 countries are expected to attend, including
members of the Global South Youth Platform representing current and
former colonies. Attendees will include young researchers,
international law specialists, healthcare professionals,
representatives of pro-independence political parties and
organizations, youth leaders and university students.
Discussions at the conference will focus on strengthening
coordination among young people from different regions in
addressing the continuing effects of colonialism and
neocolonialism. Participants are also expected to discuss expanding
the Global South Youth Platform’s international network and turning
global solidarity into more effective action-oriented
initiatives.
The agenda will additionally cover ways to improve youth
organization efforts, raise awareness of discrimination and human
rights violations faced by minority communities, and advance
practical international initiatives aimed at addressing those
challenges.
On May 19, ahead of the conference, the Baku Initiative Group
will also host an event within the framework of WUF13 focused on
“Injustices Created by Colonial Rule and the Housing Crisis.”
That discussion is expected to examine the socioeconomic
consequences of colonial and neocolonial governance, structural
inequalities linked to urbanization, ongoing housing challenges and
the impact of those issues on local populations.
