.png?sfvrsn=6d0e27cd_1 "Partnership for Change - v7 (1)")
International partners including PMNCH, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, the Child Health Initiative, Plan International, and the UN Major Group for Children & Youth have issued a global ‘Call to Action’ for adolescent health and wellbeing to ensure that adolescents as a population group are not left behind in the UHC movement. The Call to Action was launched at the high-level reception on adolescents in New York on 22 September on the eve of the UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and is now open for consultation.
PMNCH Board Chair Helen Clark called for young people to be front and centre. She said: “We certainly don’t want leaders to move on from the High-Level Meeting on UHC at the UN and forget about adolescents. What we’re concerned about is how we build momentum.” Minister of Health from Ecuador, Dr. Catalina Andramuño opened the Reception and was joined by government representatives from Ghana and India in a show of solidarity for the agenda. In a powerful call for action, Child Health Initiative Global Ambassador Zoleka Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter) said: “Far too many young people are suffering from preventable causes. Whether it be road traffic injury, sexual health and sexual violence, mental health and self-harm. We can address all of these, far more effectively. We must accelerate our efforts.”
Young people were the heart and centre of the event with PMNCH AYC Chair Gogontlejang Phaladi moderating. The event saw the announcement of The Global Youth Council: Tech for Health (hosted by Plan, Canada) for a coalition on digital technology and health founded by PMNCH, Fondation Botnar, Path and Women Deliver.
Recognizing that mental health is one of the key component of adolescent health and well-being, the reception featured a photography exhibition created by adolescents to showcase the importance of photography and psychotherapy in addressing mental health and wellbeing. This exhibition was hosted in collaboration with the International Center of Photography and Mount Sinai Hospital School Based Health Center. In addition, the Z-artists group, featuring adolescent girls, performed a dance using art as a catalyst for social change and activism - seeking to spread joy, empower individuality, build community, and help girls be heard as young women around the world. PMNCH launched a draft knowledge summary on adolescent mental health, synthesizing findings and concrete recommendations for action.