National Youth Policy.

The Afghanistan National Youth Policy (ANYP) is a multi-sectoral policy which aims to systematically meet the needs of youth through an inclusive approach, involving all relevant governmental and non-governmental entities, and to design and implement short, medium and long term strategies and programmes to develop youth talents, skills and potential in the economic, social, cultural and political spheres. The policy is designed to lead to sustainable change in the lives of young people at diferent levels and to address the lack of coordination between sectors involved in youth development. The document is built upon the principles of equity, participation, coordination and coherence.
Concerning environmental sustainability, all stakeholders should promote and support the active participation of youth in preserving and rebuilding Afghanistan’s environment through the following measures: a) promote awareness on environmental issues and practices amongst youth; b) promote green industries and develop the skills of young women and men to take up green jobs; c) support youth organizations which work for environmental sustainability and appreciate youth who work hard to protect the environment; d) involve the media in disseminating information on environmental issues and best practices for environmental preservation; e) encourage and reward local communities and youth groups to adopt sustainable income generating practices.
The policy gives priority to youth employment, with special regard to decent job opportunities. In this context, the ANYP aims to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural systems. The policy seeks to create a favourable policy environment and remove bottlenecks for decent job opportunities for young people with a focus on, among others, agriculture and livestock, rural development and mining. Furthermore it promotes sustainable youth entrepreneurship by increasing young people’s access to fnance, and increasing financial literacy and business skills.
In addition the policy gives priority to adolescent and youth health (education on hygiene, nutrition and healthy lifestyle), education and participation (Chapters 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4).
The policy also aims to increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters. It seeks to support disaster risk reduction and preparedness amongst communities at risk of natural disasters. In particular, it aims to enable Afghan youth to take on climate action and climate justice concepts and strategies as part of the Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Afghanistan National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA).
Concerning governance, the policy acknowledges the distinctive and complementary role of government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and youth organizations in youth development and aims to provide a joint framework for common goals.