UNESCO Youth Programmes
Youth Engagement in the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark
Young people play a central role in the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark. As part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks programme, youth engagement is not an add-on; it is fundamental to how the Geopark supports education, climate awareness, stewardship and long-term sustainable development.
Within the Geopark, youth programmes are structured to provide clear pathways for participation, skills development and leadership. These programmes connect young people directly to landscapes, biodiversity, geology, heritage and community life across Mourne, Gullion and Strangford.
Our Youth Programme Pathway
The Mourne Gullion Strangford Youth Programme offers progressive opportunities for different age groups:
Junior Rangers (6–13 years)
Early connection to nature and place through outdoor learning, exploration and discovery. Participants build confidence, environmental awareness and a sense of belonging in their local landscape.
Youth Rangers (13–17 years)
Practical conservation experience, skills development and active participation in environmental and community projects across the Geopark.
Youth Leaders (17–24 years)
Leadership development, mentoring, project design and involvement in wider UNESCO and Geopark networks.
Geopark Community Ambassadors (18+)
Opportunities for young adults to contribute to community engagement, education and partnership work, representing the values of the Geopark locally and internationally.
These programmes are locally delivered, partnership-based and aligned with UNESCO principles of education, conservation and sustainable development.
How Local Youth Engagement Links to UNESCO
As a UNESCO Global Geopark, Mourne Gullion Strangford contributes to international youth networks and global conversations on climate action, heritage and sustainable development. Local programmes connect young people in south-east Northern Ireland with wider UNESCO initiatives, including climate action engagement and education partnerships.
Youth engagement within the Geopark therefore operates at two levels:
• Local participation in landscapes and communities
• International connection through the UNESCO Global Geoparks network
Together, these create opportunities for young people to understand their place in both a local and global context.
UNESCO with, by and for youth
According to the World Youth Report (2020), there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population.
Youth is a priority group for UNESCO. Recognizing their creativity, innovation and capacity to make change happen in the world, we firmly believe that young people are crucial actors, leaders, and partners. UNESCO is committed to accompany them in fighting inequality, contributing to sustainable development and building peace.
For over 20 years, we have been working with thousands of young people worldwide by establishing and supporting youth-led initiatives and networks, strengthening youth capacities, fostering their knowledge production, and creating dialogue spaces between youth, policymakers and other partners. We have also been actively and meaningfully engaging youth in our programmes in all of UNESCO’s field of competence, from design to implementation and follow-up.
Young people embody hope for better, innovative, and more effective solutions to the world’s challenges! UNESCO is working actively to ensure that their voices are heard because they matter.
Youth Climate Action Network
The UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network is an innovative platform connecting youth climate networks from all over the world.
What is the UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network?
The UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network is an innovative platform connecting youth climate networks from all over the world to enhance cooperation and upscale youth-led climate action and research.
The network was launched in 2019 during COP25 in Madrid to bring together active and passionate young climate leaders and support them to build a sustainable future.
Because youth perspectives matter: UNESCO toolbox for youth policy and programming
Young people fear for their future. Pandemics, conflict, climate change, inequality – these are the issues defining their reality.
Yet their potential to provide solutions to the multiple crises is not realized. From low representation and tokenistic approaches, to institutional obstacles to participation and limited civic spaces, young people are disconnected from influencing decisions and actions that affect their lives. They need real opportunities to participate in decision-making and contribute to practical solutions.
Policy-makers, public officials and practitioners – as well as development sector and civil society actors – can and should create such opportunities for youth. This Toolbox is a comprehensive go-to resource to make that possible. It is intended to support these stakeholders in designing and implementing effective policies and programmes to address the multidimensional needs of youth at national and local levels.
It consists of:
- A guide for participatory youth policy design;
- Intergenerational dialogue tools on holistic youth development and youth civic engagement; and
- A training tool on meaningful youth engagement.
UNESCO Associated Schools Network
The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) connects close to 10,000 schools in 167 countries around a common goal to build peace in the minds of children and young people. Through concrete actions member schools promote the ideals of UNESCO valuing rights and dignity, gender equality, social progress, freedom, justice and democracy, respect for diversity and international solidarity. The Network operates at international and national levels with three clear priorities: education for sustainable development, global citizenship education and inter-cultural and heritage learning.