The Qingdao Declaration on Global Youth Health was unveiled on June 10 during a sub-forum of the Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia themed around "Healthy Youth, Healthy World" in Qingdao, Shandong province.

Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, president of the Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia, read out the declaration and expressed great appreciation for its release.

The declaration aims to reach young people around the world in eight areas including mental health, maternal and newborn care, HIV/AIDS control, the health effects of smoking and drinking, as well as the participation of youth in health-related scientific research.

The sub-forum was an important part of the first Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia which is being held in the city from June 10 to 12.

The Qingdao Declaration on Global Youth Health is unveiled on June 10 during a sub-forum of the Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/ghfbfa.cn]

Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, president of the Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia, reads out the declaration at the sub-forum. [Photo/ghfbfa.cn] 

Attendees at the sub-forum themed around "Healthy Youth, Healthy World." [Photo/ghfbfa.cn]

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Qingdao Declaration on Global Youth Health

In this new era, young people are standing at the forefront of global health and propelling its future development. We acknowledge that health is a right and not a privilege. As a representative group of young people from diverse national, cultural, religious, and social backgrounds, who have gathered at the Youth Forum of the First Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia, we are united in our efforts and voices. We call on other young people around the world to contribute to and join our capacities, wisdom, and vibrant energy, regardless of national boundaries, to shoulder the responsibility of global health development and strive for a healthy and sustainable world. 

Together, we declare the following:

1.We fully affirm the "We the future" -- A Youth Declaration, which was presented at the 67th United Nations DPI NGO Conference, and we aim to share its values and visions, abide by its commitments, and achieve its health targets, including (but not limited to) achieving the targets that were set forth in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

2.We recognize that young people of different religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds throughout the world should respect each other, be inclusive and understanding of each other, and take the initiative to shoulder responsibility for global health development;

3.We appreciate the "health beyond health" concept, not only for its pursuit of individual physical health but also for its inclusion of mental, psychological, physical, social, environmental and moral health, together with other aspects of well-being;

4.We call for strengthening young people's health literacy, increasing their control of their own health, empowering themselves, and enabling their engagement in global health actions;

5.We acknowledge the impact that nurturing new generations can have on sustainable societal and urge young people around the world to acquire knowledge of maternal well-being, newborn care, and the risks of maternal and newborn mortality in order to achieve sustainable development;

6.We draw special attention to the importance of HIV/AIDS control and encourage young people to stay faithful to their partners and use condoms consistently;

7.We are fully aware of the negative effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on personal health, on others, and on society and emphasize the benefits of a healthy diet and regular physical activity, while recognizing that a positive mental health is the foundation of efficient work and happiness;

8.We highlight the potential for ourselves -- young people -- to advocate for and promote future global health, to call on other young people to engage in health-related scientific research, as well as practical work, in order to develop our leadership skills and prepare for future global health governance.