b) Priorities for action

The following points were raised in these reports as areas where youth activities should be initiated with priority and measures to be taken by responsible governmental organizations:

· Sharing of youth best practices

· Seeking greater self-management for youth groups

· Increasing the quantity and type of actors involved in the local, regional, national and international level youth activities

· Creating efficient mechanisms for training and capacity building for youth

· Facilitating appropriate city planning processes where youth can be involved

· Utilization of the technological advances to sustain efficient and effective communication

· Promoting effective means for advocacy

· Developing the dialogue of youth with partner groups (NGOs, international organizations, and multilateral agencies)

· Establishing a mechanism to promote access to various Habitat programmes and services which are related to youth

· Developing indicators for youth contributions to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda

· Establishing/improving of National Agencies responsible for the identification and documentation of the best practices

Most of these priorities youth have identified are already addressed and are in the implementation process to some extent in many of the countries. UN agencies, national governments, local authorities, specialized institutions, private sector, academicians, NGOs/CBOs and other stakeholders have been active to cooperate with youth in these fields. The level of cooperation nevertheless needs improvement. The acknowledgment of youth as a full partner in these processes will positively contribute to the further development of youth.