Today, Ms. Naomi Kitahara, United Nations Population Fund Representative, Mr. Stephen Jones, General Manager Operations of Oyu Tolgoi LLC, and officials from the central and provincial governments officially launched the Youth Development Centre (YDC) in Khanbogd soum of Umnugobi province. This YDC will provide training on life skills, support young people in developing practical, relevant job skills, provide counselling in reproductive health, communication and psychology and career guidance, and enable young people to meaningfully participate in decisions affecting them, while providing a fun, safe atmosphere for local young people.
“The YDC will network and link with other existing services for young people such as employment, health and education to bring a plethora of services to young people of Khan Bogd soum. The provision of services to adolescents and youth through this centre will make substantial contributions to ensure that young people reach their full potential.” Ms. Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative, highlighted at the opening ceremony of Youth Development Centre.
Andrew Woodley, President and CEO – Oyu Tolgoi, said, “The YDCs are a very important tool to support the development of Mongolia’s youth, and in helping fulfil Mongolia’s true potential. The opening of the Khanbogd centre is a big step forward in making critical tools accessible to the youth of the region, and we are proud to be playing a part in making this a reality.”
In 2013, the Government of Mongolia and UNFPA started implementing the Youth Development Project (2013-2017), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Government of Luxembourg and UNFPA in selected 11 provinces, 1 soum and 3 districts of Ulaanbaatar. The project has established 13 YDCs across the country so far.
Funding support from Oyu Tolgoi LLC enabled young people from Khanbogd soum of Umnugobi province to benefit from the project, which is being implemented by UNFPA and the Government of Mongolia as part of the integrated project. The new YDC, launched today in Khan Bogd soum, is supported by the Youth Development Project, financed by Oyu Tolgoi.
Ms. Naomi Kitahara also highlighted that “The YDC and youth friendly health clinics will further network and link with other existing services for young people such as employment and education to reach a comprehensive set of results for the well-being of young people”.
Mongolia has the largest number of young people in its history. Young people are the shapers and leaders of the future of Mongolia. Therefore, there is great potential in the investment of young people. This investment in their development is an essential part in the development of Mongolia.
The successful implementation and functioning of the YDC will bring forth real and positive changes in young people’s lives.
About UNFPA (www.mongolia.unfpa.org)
UNFPA is the UN agency delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA Mongolia currently implements the 5th Country Programme 2012-2016, closely in line with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Mongolia.
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