Petition for Bermuda’s First National Sustainable Development Goal: Youth Equity
We request that Children and Youth Equity become Bermuda's first National Sustainable Development Goal. This goal emphasizes providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for children and youth, ensuring a sustainable future for Bermuda.
Children and Youth in Bermuda face several challenges, such as economic instability, limited educational resources, restricted access to nutritious food, lack of mental health resources, exposure to crime and violence, bullying, environmental concerns, social inequities, and the high rate of youth exodus. Addressing these issues is crucial for supporting our children and youth and securing a prosperous future.
Given the declining birth rate in Bermuda, we believe this presents a unique opportunity to invest more deeply in ensuring equity across all generations. With fewer young people, it is essential that each individual has equitable access to food, high quality education, healthcare, social services, vocational training, mentorship and family support.
This proposal seeks to prioritize children and youth in discourse and action, ensuring their contributions shape a renewable future for Bermuda. By promoting equitable access to resources and ensuring that human rights are being met for all generations, we can create an environment where everyone is valued and supported to reach their full potential. This fosters a society that is inclusive, fair, and empowered to contribute positively to our collective future.
* The original global petition for Sustainable Development Goal 18: Youth Equity was created in collaboration with the Global Futurist Initiative, which included Noelle Young as a youth delegate from Bermuda and representatives from other countries globally. This initiative aimed to address youth equity on a global scale and was presented to the United Nations at COP28 in November of 2023.
The petition emphasizes the importance of providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for youth worldwide, ensuring a sustainable future. For more information and to view the original global petition, please visit this link
The Proposal:
1. We propose adopting Children and Youth Equity as the first national sustainable development goal, reflecting Bermuda's commitment to future generations.
2. We request a deeper investment in ensuring equity across all generations. With fewer young people, it is essential that each individual has equal access to food, high-quality education, healthcare, social services, vocational training, mentorship, and family support.
3. We also propose defining the age of youth as individuals aged 13 - 39. This goal encompasses accessibility, inclusivity, accountability, and empowerment. It aims to ensure youth have equitable access to resources, are included in national and global discussions, and are empowered to lead. Many other countries have logically extended their maximum youth age to 35, 39, or 40 to reflect the global increase in life expectancies.
Why Equity for Children is Important
Achieving equity requires a fundamental shift in mindset. When we prioritize equity for children, we create a foundation for a healthier, more vibrant society. Children who receive the support they need are more likely to succeed in school, develop strong social skills, and grow into adults who contribute positively to their communities. Moreover, when equity is achieved, it reduces long-term social costs associated with poverty, crime, and health disparities.
By fostering an environment where all children can thrive, we can build a stronger, more resilient Bermuda. Equity ensures that no child is left behind, leading to a more just and prosperous society for everyone. The benefits extend beyond the individual; they ripple out to families, neighborhoods, and society as a whole. Investing in equity for children is an investment in the future well-being of our entire community.
What is the Rationale for Expanding the National Definition of Youth?
Traditionally, youth was defined up to middle age. The average life expectancy in Bermuda is approximately 82.30 years as of 2023 (World Health Organization (WHO)). As retirement ages are increasing nationally and globally to 68 and 70 years of age to reflect longer lifespans, extended education, and extended career timelines, it is logical to also extend the definition of youth age correspondingly. By defining youth as individuals aged 39 and under, we acknowledge the evolving socio-economic landscape to provide young Bermudians with the same competitive advantages as other nations. This aligns with practices in many other countries that have already increased their national youth age. Bermuda needs to ensure we remain globally relevant.
The average life expectancy in Bermuda is approximately 82.30 years as of 2023 (World Health Organization (WHO)). Increasing from 81.57 years in 2022, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Global Economy This figure reflects the overall longevity trends in Bermuda, influenced by various factors such as healthcare access, lifestyle, economic conditions, and access to food.
The average birth rate in Bermuda is approximately 7.5 births per 1,000 people as of 2022. This figure represents a decline from previous years, reflecting a trend seen in many developed nations.
Given the declining birth rate and declining fertility rate coupled with the economic advantages in Bermuda, we believe this presents a unique opportunity to invest more deeply in children and youth.
What are the Benefits of Extending the Youth Age Definition?
More Opportunities for Success:
Increases access to scholarships, internships, and global youth programs, allowing young Bermudians to gain valuable education and work experience.Encourages participation in international exchanges, competitions, and conferences, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their skills.Provides mentorship and career guidance programs, helping young people navigate their professional journeys and achieve their goals.
Extended Support and Resources: Young people will have access to youth-focused programs, services, and resources for a longer period, enhancing their personal and professional development.Longer eligibility for scholarships, training programs, and youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
Economic Competitiveness: Aligning with international standards ensures that young Bermudians can compete globally, benefiting from similar opportunities and support systems as their peers in other countries.Encourages a more skilled and educated workforce, contributing to national economic growth.
Adaptation to Modern Career Paths: Acknowledges the reality that many individuals are completing education and starting careers later due to extended study periods and the need for advanced qualifications.Provides support during the early stages of career development, which can often extend into the mid and late 30s.
Social and Mental Well-being: Reduces pressure on young adults by recognizing the extended transition period into full adulthood, promoting better mental health and well-being. Supports balanced life decisions, such as starting families or changing careers, without the rush to conform to outdated age limits.
Inclusivity and Equity: Ensures that policies and programs are inclusive of all young people, particularly those who may take longer to achieve stability due to socio-economic challenges. Promotes equity by providing a safety net and opportunities for a broader age range, ensuring no one is left behind during their formative years.
By extending the youth age definition, Bermuda can provide its younger population with the tools and support needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global environment.
What do we Propose as Targets and Indicators?
Increase Youth Leadership: Boost youth leadership in the private sector and multilateral institutions.
Indicators: Participation rate in global agenda settings, proportion of young people in managerial positions, and youth representation on boards.
Increase Youth Representation: Ensure substantial youth representation at global, national, and local levels of law and policy-making.
Indicators: Proportion of seats held by youth, number of legislations created by young advocates, and proportion of youth on advisory boards.
Safeguard Sustainable Environments: Strengthen efforts to protect sustainable environments through intergenerational decision-making.
Indicators: Systems to track and make public allocations for youth equity and the Seven Generations Principle.
Universal Access to Interpersonal Development: Ensure all youth have access to personal development and effective learning outcomes.
Indicators: Confidence in social-emotional learning, leadership development, and participation rate in financial education.
Financial Literacy and Independent Banking: Increase youth training in financial literacy and access to banking resources.
Indicators: Proficiency in financial literacy, mainstreaming financial education in policies, and extent of debt distress among youth.
Safe Online Environment: Create and ensure a universal safe environment on the internet for youth and children.
Indicators: Feelings of safety and data protection online, incidence of cyber violence, and existence of human rights institutions specializing in internet governance.
Reduce Youth Exodus: Decrease the rate of youth leaving Bermuda by increasing local opportunities and support.
Indicators: Proportion of youth staying in Bermuda, youth satisfaction with local opportunities, and rate of youth returning after leaving for education or work.
Reduce Childhood Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Rates: Promote healthier lifestyles and preventive care.
Indicators: Incidence rates of Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure among youth, participation in health and wellness programs, and access to healthy food options.
Reduce Asthma Rates: Improve indoor and outdoor air quality and healthcare access.
Indicators: Asthma incidence rates, access to medical care, and initiatives to improve air quality.
Increase Feelings of Physical Safety in Youth: Enhance safety measures and community support.
Indicators: Youth reports of physical safety, rates of violence and crime against youth, and implementation of safety programs in schools and communities.
Increased Youth Access to Food: Ensure food security and nutrition.
Indicators: Rates of food insecurity among youth, access to nutritional programs, and partnerships with local food providers.
Increased Sense of Worth: Foster self-esteem and community belonging.
Indicators: Youth surveys on self-worth, participation in community and extracurricular activities, and availability of mental health resources.
Maternity and Paternity Leave - Because Youth may be Parents too!: Ensure equitable and sufficient leave policies for new parents to support family well-being.
Indicators: Duration and quality of maternity and paternity leave, creation of government programmes, employer compliance with leave policies, and parental satisfaction with leave provisions.
Join Us: We call on the people of Bermuda, especially the youth, to sign this petition, as well as help to create a list of other sustainable development goals and targets to present to our national leaders. Together, we can shape a set of National Sustainable Development Goals that will drive our community forward.
You are welcome to leave comments and suggestions.Thank you for supporting youth equity and the future of Bermuda.