Jakarta, 9 August 2014 - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Indonesia and the Ford Foundation are proud to be hosting Youthnesian 2014 tomorrow (9 August) at Balai Kartini in Jakarta Selatan, an innovative and free event focusing on the empowerment of youth.

The theme of the event, which is a celebration of World Population Day and International Youth Day 2014, is “Investing in Young People”, and considers the challenges and opportunities for investing in Indonesia’s youth and enabling their participation in the development process.

Youthnesian 2014 will bring together over 1,500 stakeholders in youth issues from all across Indonesia, a platform for young people and relevant networks to sound their voices and learn more about their role in shaping the post-2015 development agenda in a creative and youth friendly atmosphere.

The programme will feature events such as a Youth Fair, where young people and youth stakeholders can showcase current and future initiatives, Youth Hangouts where youth issues will be openly discussed in a public platform, and a Youth Concert featuring Maudy Ayunda, Raisa, and Vidi Aldiano.

It will also include messages from special speakers including Nafsiah Mboi, the Minister of Health, Nila Moeloek, of the President’s Special Envoy on MDGs, Handry Satriago, CEO of GE Indonesia, Heru Prasetyo, Head of BP REDD+ Indonesia, and Dino Patti Djalal, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.

UNFPA Representative in Indonesia, Mr Jose Ferraris, says Youthnesian 2014 is designed not just to bring young people together, but to link them with stakeholders who are helping to close the gap between young people and the decision-making process.

“Events like Youthnesian 2014 are so important because they enable youth to be at the forefront of of national and International efforts to shape the future, providing them with the information, tools and networks they need to be agents of change,” he said.

Alanda Kariza, a youth speaker at Youthnesian 2014, says it is crucially important for the government and other pillars of society to invest in youths, the generation who will be leading the future.

“As a young person who has been involved in youth issues over the past eight years, I have witnessed the magnitude of the impact that young people can deliver through their activities, aspirations and passions,” she says. “The impact is big, I would say, and can be life-changing.”

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About UNFPA

UNFPA is an international development agency committed to fulfilling the vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA partners with governments, non-government organizations, and the private sector by providing technical expertise in the areas of its mandate to address the needs of the people of Indonesia

For more information, please contact:

Samidjo, National Programme Officer -  Advocacy, UNFPA Indonesia

Samidjo@unfpa.org , 08121068328

Angga Dwi Martha, Youth Advocate, UNFPA Indonesia

amartha@unfpa.org | 085266116446

Rahyang Nusantara, Media Relations, Mahana Live

rahyang@mahanabiz.com | 08122096791