WHO Youth Engagement

Young people have a critical role to play in the unprecedented challenges that the world is facing today. They should be active participants in shaping their lives and directing their futures. They are at the forefront of change and innovation and have the spirit to make things happen.

WHO recognizes and involves youth as partners, stakeholders and changemakers in its work and is committed to engaging with youth in many different ways through initiatives like:

• the Youth Council, which brings together youth networks from health and non-health backgrounds from all over the world to provide advice to the WHO Director-General on global health and other health and development issues.
• the Global Health Workforce Network (GWHN) Youth Hub is an interprofessional community of practice, hosted by the Health Workforce Department. The focus of the hub is to systematically include youth health workforce issues related to employment, practice and the work environment in the health and social care sector.
  
• the Global Youth Mobilization, which works together with the Big Six and the UN Foundation to empower young people as a driving force in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Local Solutions, young people around the world are driving change and implementing solutions.
• the Global Model WHO, organized by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), provides an authentic student-led simulation of the World Health Assembly (WHA) to high school and university students from all over the world.
• the WHO Briefing Centre provides an educational service to students and young professionals from a variety of disciplines through interactive briefing sessions (face-to-face or virtual) on public health topics.

Young people’s ideas, skills and contributions continue to enrich institutions and processes, and their engagement is central to the success of policies and programs aimed at improving young people’s health and well-being.

WHO is committed to engage and partner with young people everywhere and find the best ways to empower them, support their action, promote partnerships and ensure their recognition and visibility. More than ever, we need the ideas, the energy and the leadership of young people to build a healthier, safer and fairer future.

Other ways to engage ...

Engaging young people in global health is crucial for achieving health for all. The World Health Organization recognizes the importance of youth engagement in the global health space and encourages young people to get involved in various ways. One effective way to engage is to join a youth organization. Here are some steps to take when considering joining a youth organization: 

• Identify youth organizations: Research and identify youth organizations that align with your interests and values, for example, within your context or community 
• Learn about their work: Take the time to learn about the organization's mission, vision, and current projects to determine if it is a good fit for you and what you feel passionate about. 
• Contact the organization: Reach out to the organization through their website or social media platforms to inquire about membership and any upcoming events or meetings. 
• Attend (online) meetings and events: Attend meetings and events hosted by the organization to network with like-minded individuals and get involved in their initiatives. 
• Contribute your skills and ideas: Share your skills and ideas to contribute to the organization's mission and to help address global health issues. 

By joining a youth organization, you can become part of a global community of youth dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. 

Within the WHO there are multiple career opportunities to explore as well. Here you can check out the WHO Internship Programme, the WHO Young Professional Programme and the Junior Professional Officer Programme.