I first came to D.C. in 1994, the year of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, which marked a milestone in the field of population and reproductive health. The conference set a turning point as the world agreed that population is not about numbers but about people and their rights. It also solidified my commitment to youth, health and development which began when I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer working with youth in Ghana. Today I am the youth advisor for USAID’s Office of Population and Reproductive Health.
Personal photo of Cate while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana circa 1994. Photo Credit: Cate Lane/USAID
More than half of the world’s population is under age 25. I believe meeting the reproductive health needs for today’s young people is vital in ensuring future generations are able to lead healthy and dignified lives. When girls are able to delay first pregnancy, they are more likely to obtain an education and end the cycle of poverty. The United Nations proclaimed the past year commencing on August 12, 2010 as the International Year of Youth. As the year comes to an end on International Youth Day, let us continue to stress the need for investment in programs that reach out to youth.
Listen to more of my thoughts on youth and development in this audio podcast by the Population Reference Bureau:
Involving Youth in Development Programming: Interview With Cate Lane, USAID by PopulationReferenceBureau
