Young people make up almost one fifth of the world's population, with close to 85 per cent living in developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. This publication considers the parallel realities that govern the lives of young people throughout the world, exploring the opportunities, achievements and hopes that exist for some, as well as the lost potential, inequalities, vulnerabilities and discrimination that affects many youth. This review is based on the findings of a UN expert group meeting, held in Helsinki in October 2002. Issues discussed include: current trends and priorities for global youth policy, focusing on the ten priority areas highlighted in the 1995 World Programme of Action for Youth to the year 2000 and beyond; as well as five new issues of concern that have emerged since then, focusing on the impact on young people of globalisation; information and communication technologies (ICT); HIV/AIDS; armed conflict situations; demographic changes, family structures and intergenerational relations.

HIV/AIDS reverses life expectancy gains, erodes productivity, consumes savings and dilutes growth efforts, threatening the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa.The report is the result of an extensive analytical and consultative process begun in 2006, that engaged more than 1,000 people from over 30 countries and many institutions mostly in Africa, as well as UN agencies, multilateral and bilateral donors, and foundations. The report reaffirms the Bank's commitment to combating HIV/AIDS in Africa, moving from its initial emergency response to the next phase, including the goal to provide at least US $250 million annually and to create an Africa HIV/AIDS Incentive Fund to enhance the evidence base, promote the multisectoral response and provide technical support, analysis and policy advice to countries.

This book deals with problems facing children and youth in African cities today. African populations have high growth rates and, consequently, relatively high proportions of young people. Population growth in rural areas has stretched resources leading to urban migration and a rapid growth of cities. Economies have not grown apace with the population; and in some countries, economies have even shrunk. The result is a severe lack of resources in cities to meet the needs of the growing populations, shown in high unemployment, inadequate housing, poor services, and often extreme poverty. All the essays in this book draw attention to such urban environments, in which children and youth have to live and survive. The title of this book speaks of negotiating livelihoods. The concept of ‘livelihood’ has been adopted to incorporate the social and physical environment together with people’s responses to it. It considers not only material, but also human and social resources, including local knowledge and understanding. It, thus, considers the material means for living in a broader context of social and cultural interpretation. It, therefore, does not deal only with material and economic existence, but also with leisure activities, entertainments and other social forms of life developed by young people in response to the dictates of the environment. The book contains country-specific case studies of the problems faced by youths in many African cities, how they develop means to solve them, and the various creative ways through which they improve their status, both economically and socially, in the different urban spaces. It recognizes the potentials of young people in taking control of their lives within the constraints imposed upon them by the society. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of child and youth development, and a useful tool for parents, teachers, academics, researchers as well as government and non-government development agencies.

This book relates the latest chapter in the story of a remarkable partnership between the worlds of faith and development, launched in 1998 by Jim Wolfensohn and then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, when they convened a meeting of faith and development leaders in Lambeth Palace. The intervening years have seen the growth and enhancement of a network of world faith and development leaders who share a common passion to eradicate global poverty, extend social justice and ensure global security for all of the world's people. Periodically this group of leaders gathers together to debate issues of common concern and global significance. The most recent meeting took place in Dublin, Ireland in Janaury 2005. Debates over two days were rich and provocative, examining issues ranging from the recent Asian tsunami, to HIV/AIDS, gender and youth, and the roots of conflict, all viewed through the lens of equity. References to the ethical dimensions of poverty alleviation and the need for a strong moral underpinning as a foundation for equitable and sustainable development lay at the heart of every session. The uniqueness of this partnership is the fresh perspective it offers on critical development issues and the opportunity for faith leaders and development leaders to seek new avenues for collaboration. This book tells the story of this partnership, within the context of the Dublin meeting.

It is ten years since the General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth in 1995. This publication deals with fifteen identified priority issues, grouped under three main contexts in which youth deal with challenges and concerns: youth in a global economy, youth in civil society, and youth at risk. It reports over 200 million youth living in poverty, 130 million youth illiterate, 88 million unemployed and 10 million young people living with HIV/AIDS.

This interdisciplinary book analyzes the nature of child justice administration in Africa, particularly focusing on Nigeria and South Africa. The author uses a comparative approach in analyzing the legal regime and practice of child justice administration in Africa by recommending South Africa as inspiration for Nigeria since the justice sector in South Africa is significantly more developed. It further investigates various problems and challenges associated with children in the criminal justice system in Africa, thereby contributing to the cross-fertilization and collaboration among African nations that contributes to the development of the continent as a whole. The monograph shows that children are not only neglected by academics and practitioners but also that there is no access to scholarly materials in this area of law in Africa. This work contributes to knowledge in the area of law and methodology on the issue of child justice administration, development studies, political science, and African studies.

In the first textbook of its kind, "Global Youth Ministry" brings together some of the foremost voices in international youth leadership to focus on the theological, theoretical, sociocultural, and historical issues that shape ministry to youth in contexts around the world.