At the World Health Summit in Berlin, the WHO Youth Council made a significant stride in youth-led global health advocacy by launching its inaugural Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies. Developed by young people from across the globe, this declaration calls for transformative actions that place youth at the heart of efforts to create healthier and safer communities worldwide.

Kate Ndocko, a member of the WHO Youth Council, expressed the importance of youth involvement in shaping the future of health. "This Declaration represents our collective commitment and priorities to help communities, especially youth, at local, regional, and global levels, to be healthier and more resilient in the face of the many health challenges the world faces today, as well as those ahead," she stated.

The Youth Declaration, unveiled during the Summit, outlines 10 key calls for action that focus on creating inclusive, equitable, and adaptive health systems. It emphasizes the need for educational reforms that address health, climate change, and digital literacy, ensuring that young people have access to quality learning environments that respond to their diverse needs. Moreover, the Declaration stresses the importance of empowering youth to lead the design and implementation of health policies and programs. It highlights the need for inclusive and prevention-focused healthcare, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations, and calls for investment in youth to enable them to become leaders in tackling the challenges of health, climate change, and education.

The Declaration also advocates for the creation of safe environments that protect young people from violence, harassment, and other harmful practices. It encourages governments and international organizations to collaborate with youth in shaping health policies and values the diverse perspectives of young people in this process. Additionally, the Declaration underscores the importance of supporting grassroots youth organizations as a vital investment in future generations.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended the Youth Council’s efforts, stating, "WHO is committed to amplifying the voices of young people to realize our shared vision of health for all. The Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies channels the ideas, advice, and action of youth into a powerful call for change, showing what can be achieved when youth are actively engaged in shaping their health and futures."

Rehman Hassan, another Youth Council member from the Act4Food campaign, highlighted the urgency of engaging young people in global health governance. He noted that pandemics, conflicts, the spread of misinformation, and climate change are all posing serious risks to global health, yet young people remain largely underrepresented in decision-making processes. "It is high time we engage them and incorporate their solutions for a healthier way forward," Hassan emphasized.

Established in 2023, the WHO Youth Council is a dynamic network dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of young people and leveraging their expertise, energy, and ideas to promote public health. Its members, representing both health and non-health organizations, provide advice and actively engage with WHO leadership to ensure that health policies and programs reflect the needs and perspectives of young people worldwide. The Council also serves as a platform for creating new initiatives and expanding existing youth engagement programs within the WHO.

This declaration marks a pivotal moment in the effort to prioritize youth engagement in global health, ensuring that young people are empowered to lead and co-create healthier societies for both present and future generations.