A Generation at Stake

A Better Future Starts with Investing in the Present

There are 3.2 billion children and youth living through the compounding crises of COVID, conflicts and a changing climate. They are facing unimaginable hardships. Without global action to prioritize their needs now, the ramifications will be felt for generations to come.

A common-sense solution

Globally, rates of violence are rising, access to education and health care has been cut off, catastrophic wars and natural disasters have displaced families, and children have lost parents and other caregivers. Adolescent girls in particular are at an alarming increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence.

Now more than ever, we need a common-sense approach to U.S. foreign assistance funding, policies and programs that recognizes the critical and interconnected needs of children and youth—no matter where they live.

Through strong leadership, more collaboration across government, and by recognizing youth as equal partners, the U.S. has the chance to make a transformational impact on the generation of children and youth growing up today, and on those that follow.

That is why we are calling for U.S government leadership that includes:

Meaningful Youth Engagement

No one is better equipped to provide insight on the issues impacting young people than children and youth themselves. They should be included in every stage of developing and implementing policy and programming to ensure their voices and lived experiences are at the center of efforts intended to benefit them.

Policies and Programs that Elevate Children and Youth

The White House and Congress should require agencies and departments to provide an assessment of any policy, program or initiative on children and youth with data disaggregation for age, gender, disability and other factors. These actions will help ensure that policy and funding decisions prioritize all young people.

Increased Funding & Budget Tracking

Congress should establish a system for departments and agencies to track and report spending in detail, ensuring federal funds are used to holistically and effectively address children’s and youth’s needs. As part of an overall increase in foreign assistance funding, the U.S. must dedicate funds specifically for addressing these needs globally.