United Nations High-Level Political Forum 2017 – Special Event on “Youth in STEM for achieving peace and positive social change for all”
Entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship led by young women and men, has shown increased potential in responding to prevalent social and economic challenges. Driven by their responsiveness to current trends and opportunities, entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs are key drivers of change for the development of peaceful and resilient communities.
Enterprises and social enterprises led by young women and men not only trigger the necessary momentum for local innovation and sustainable development, but can also contribute to direct and indirect job creation, especially through the peer-to-peer support they facilitate, they can reduce the social gap of inequalities as well as contribute to economic growth and the creation of sustainable inclusive and equitable societies.
In light of this, UNDESA’s Division for Social Policy and Development – in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United for All Peoples (UP),
with the support of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY and the participation of Disabled Peoples International (DPI) and the Manhattan Multicultural Counseling (MMC) – are organizing a special event during the 2017 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on “Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for achieving peace and positive social change for all”, 14 July, 9-10:30 a.m. in conference room 8, United Nations Headquarters, New York.
The event aims to discuss how the academic fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) can contribute to the empowerment of youth – with a special focus on young women and girls – by eliminating the gender gap in education and skill-development, and by providing equal employment opportunities, as a strategy to reduce overall inequalities, eradicate poverty and promote peace and prosperity for all. Furthermore, the event seeks to recognize the role that young women and men in STEM are playing in our society and in the achievement of the SDGs, thus functioning as drivers of peace and prosperity.
