In October 2024, the Fulton County Youth Commission (FCYC) collaborated with the United Nations Association of Atlanta (UNA-Atlanta) to draft the "United Nations Declaration of Human Rights for Youth." This declaration outlines ten essential rights, including the right to a safe learning environment, mental health support, and digital privacy. Each right emphasizes the need for proactive policies and community support to empower youth in addressing global challenges. Building on this initiative, the FCYC developed an "Actionable Items" document to inspire young individuals to contribute to societal change. This list includes practical steps such as reducing screen time, fostering inclusivity, and educating oneself on financial and digital privacy matters. These actions aim to empower Fulton County youth to effect positive change locally and influence youth advocacy worldwide.
1. The Right to Safety and Security in Schools
Young people have the right to learn in a safe and secure environment, free from violence, fear, and threats both digital and in-person. Schools must be sanctuaries of peace, and local authorities must work together to ensure the protection of students from gun violence and other dangers.
2. The Right to Mental Health Support
Youth have the right to access mental health care and support, free of stigma and barriers. Schools, communities, and families must prioritize mental well-being, providing resources and safe spaces for young people to seek help.
3. The Right to Clean Air, Water, and a Healthy Environment
Young people have the right to live in a clean and sustainable environment. This includes the right to breathe clean air, drink safe water, and enjoy green spaces. Local authorities must act against environmental injustice and protect vulnerable communities from pollution and climate change.
4. The Right to Participate in Decision-Making
Youth have the right to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives locally and globally, Governments, institutions, and communities must ensure youth participation in policy formulation, particularly in education, climate action, and social justice.
5. The Right to Quality Education
Every young person has the right to access quality education that prepares them for the future. This includes academic learning, life skills, social skills, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Schools must be inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of all students, regardless of their background.
6. The Right to Peace and Security
Youth have the right to live in a world free from war, violence, and conflict. Both global and local efforts must be made to ensure peace and security, including addressing the root causes of violence, promoting conflict resolution and creating peaceful communities.
7. The Right to be Free from Discrimination
All young people have the right to be free from discrimination, harassment, and prejudice, regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Governments and communities should take proactive steps to condemn societal and institutional discrimination, ensuring all young people are treated equally regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Governments and communities must also take concrete actions to promote equality and inclusion for young people, especially in the education system.
8. The Right to Health and Well-Being
Young people have the right to affordable and accessible health care, including reproductive health services. Governments must ensure that all youth, particularly those in marginalized communities, receive the care and resources they need to thrive.
9. The Right to Economic Opportunities
Youth have the right to pursue economic opportunities, including access to fair wages, employment, and entrepreneurial support. Governments and the private sector must work together to create pathways to financial independence and economic security for young people, focusing most on pathways that motivate financial literacy.
10. The Right to Digital Privacy and Security
In an increasingly digital world, young people have the right to online privacy, security, and data protection. Governments and tech companies must safeguard youth against cyberbullying, online exploitation, and breaches of confidentiality. Specifically, the issue of data collections and usage by social media companies must safeguard youth against cyberbullying, online exploitation, and breaches of confidentiality. Specifically, the issue of data collections and usage by social media companies must be prioritized.
1. The Right to Safety and Security in Schools
Young people have the right to learn in a safe and secure environment, free from violence, fear, and threats both digital and in-person. Schools must be sanctuaries of peace, and local authorities must work together to ensure the protection of students from gun violence and other dangers.
2. The Right to Mental Health Support
Youth have the right to access mental health care and support, free of stigma and barriers. Schools, communities, and families must prioritize mental well-being, providing resources and safe spaces for young people to seek help.
3. The Right to Clean Air, Water, and a Healthy Environment
Young people have the right to live in a clean and sustainable environment. This includes the right to breathe clean air, drink safe water, and enjoy green spaces. Local authorities must act against environmental injustice and protect vulnerable communities from pollution and climate change.
4. The Right to Participate in Decision-Making
Youth have the right to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives locally and globally, Governments, institutions, and communities must ensure youth participation in policy formulation, particularly in education, climate action, and social justice.
5. The Right to Quality Education
Every young person has the right to access quality education that prepares them for the future. This includes academic learning, life skills, social skills, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Schools must be inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of all students, regardless of their background.
6. The Right to Peace and Security
Youth have the right to live in a world free from war, violence, and conflict. Both global and local efforts must be made to ensure peace and security, including addressing the root causes of violence, promoting conflict resolution and creating peaceful communities.
7. The Right to be Free from Discrimination
All young people have the right to be free from discrimination, harassment, and prejudice, regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Governments and communities should take proactive steps to condemn societal and institutional discrimination, ensuring all young people are treated equally regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Governments and communities must also take concrete actions to promote equality and inclusion for young people, especially in the education system.
8. The Right to Health and Well-Being
Young people have the right to affordable and accessible health care, including reproductive health services. Governments must ensure that all youth, particularly those in marginalized communities, receive the care and resources they need to thrive.
9. The Right to Economic Opportunities
Youth have the right to pursue economic opportunities, including access to fair wages, employment, and entrepreneurial support. Governments and the private sector must work together to create pathways to financial independence and economic security for young people, focusing most on pathways that motivate financial literacy.
10. The Right to Digital Privacy and Security
In an increasingly digital world, young people have the right to online privacy, security, and data protection. Governments and tech companies must safeguard youth against cyberbullying, online exploitation, and breaches of confidentiality. Specifically, the issue of data collections and usage by social media companies must safeguard youth against cyberbullying, online exploitation, and breaches of confidentiality. Specifically, the issue of data collections and usage by social media companies must be prioritized.
