The first national conference of vice-chairs from local youth councils across Nepal has concluded with a seven-point memorandum advocating for a multi-stakeholder approach to youth empowerment and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Jointly organized by the Government of Nepal, the National Youth Council, and Yuwalaya, the three-day conference brought together executive vice-chairs from 30 formally established local youth councils.

According to the National Youth Policy 2015, individuals aged 16 to 40 years are classified as youth, making up 42.56 percent of Nepal’s total population, or approximately 12.4m people. The memorandum calls for the establishment and effective operation of youth councils in all 753 local levels, ensuring inclusivity, leveraging demographic dividends, and providing free access to technical and vocational education. It also urges local, provincial, and federal governments, along with national and international stakeholders, to prioritize youth empowerment.

A key demand highlighted in the memorandum is ensuring youth representation in government bodies. It calls for mandatory 40 percent youth participation in committee structures of all political parties and the allocation of youth-targeted budgets and programs to enhance participation at the local level. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for research-based studies to develop and implement effective youth programs.

Dharma Raj Rimal, President of Yuwalaya, emphasized the importance of youth-centric policy-making and implementation. “This conference has made a multi-stakeholder call to prioritize youth voices in policies and programs,” he stated.