The 2021 Asia-Pacific Housing Forum Youth Congress will bring together young people who have led community projects that contribute to Habitat for Humanity’s mission. It will provide young leaders with a platform to showcase their projects to a regional audience, discuss what resources young people need to scale up their projects and impact, and prepare a youth statement on “building forward better for inclusive housing”. As in previous iterations, the third Youth Congress will raise the issue of decent, affordable housing through the eyes of the youth, their stake in the issue and the ways they contribute to the solutions.

Engage youth to recognize and act on the importance of housing as a driver of inclusive economic growth, resilience and sustainability in human settlements.

Cultivate young leaders and their contributions to innovative housing initiatives through the sharing of best practices.

Facilitate the continued partnership between the youth sector and Habitat for Humanity.

Drafted virtually through a survey, the Youth Declaration is a statement crafted by young people on “Building forward better for inclusive housing.” It will be reviewed by youth participants at the Youth Congress on and will be presented at the main Asia-Pacific Housing Forum on December7-8. All Asia-Pacific youth are welcome to review the draft document until Nov. 30.

We believe that young people are uniquely placed to become agents of change within their communities based on their valuable insights, influence and credibility. The “Youth in the House!” exhibition and microgrant initiative supports youth-led organizations that advance housing and shelter solutions. Visit the Exhibition Platform on Nov. 30, 2021 to discover the finalists.

Established in 2014 by the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), the Children and Youth Constituency for Sustainable Communities (CYCSC) is an collective engagement platform focusing on the urban and territorial dimensions of sustainable development. CYCSC facilitates young peoples' meaningful participation in the follow-up and review of the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11. Participation in these processes results respectively from Paragraphs 128 and 162 of the New Urban Agenda, and from CYCSC's affiliation with the Major Group for Children and Youth.