To: United Nations, International Funding Organizations, National Governments, and Policy Makers. 

We, the undersigned, call on international funding organizations, national governments, and policy makers to expand the definition of youth in development programs and funding initiatives to include individuals aged 18 to 45.

Rationale:

On January 29th, 2023, I turned 30 and was in the process of applying for the Kofi Annan Fellowship, for which I had been nominated. The fellowship specified that applicants should be between the ages of 18 and 29. Coincidentally, the application deadline was on my 30th birthday.

I found myself in a dilemma: should I still apply even though I had just aged out of the eligibility range? As an optimistic young female leader, I decided to go ahead and submit my application, confident in my qualifications. Unfortunately, when the results were announced, I was informed that I was disqualified solely due to my age, despite meeting all other criteria.

This experience is not unique to me. It reflects the reality faced by over 70% of our growing youthful population. Many talented and motivated individuals are excluded from opportunities simply because they have crossed an arbitrary age threshold.

Do our lives have to pause because we are aging, or should we fight these restrictive definitions that limit our potential? It is essential to recognize that personal and professional growth does not cease at 30. Many people only begin to find their true calling and establish their careers well into their 30s and 40s due to different realities like 

1. Delayed Life Milestones:
   Many individuals, particularly in Africa, often do not discover their true calling or achieve significant life milestones until their 30s or later. Traditional definitions of youth, typically capped at age 35, exclude a substantial number of individuals who are still in the process of personal and professional development.

2. Economic and Social Challenges:
   Socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, delayed education, and late entry into the job market, mean that many people only begin to stabilize their careers and personal lives well into their 30s and 40s. Providing support until age 45 can bridge the gap and ensure that more individuals receive the help they need to succeed.

The United Nations Youth Policy (UN Youth Strategy) acknowledges that young people are crucial to achieving sustainable development. However, the age cap of 24 (or 29 in some definitions) does not reflect the realities faced by many in Africa and other regions. We urge the UN to reconsider and extend this age limit to align with the lived experiences of individuals globally. An inclusive approach to youth support will promote equity, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of when they find their calling, have access to the resources, training, and opportunities necessary to contribute meaningfully to their communities and economies.

Our Request:

We call on the United Nations, The Commonwealth, African Union, European Union and international funding bodies to:
- Redefine Youth Age Range: Extend the age range for youth-focused programs to 18-45.
- Policy Revision: Update youth policies to reflect this new age range, ensuring inclusive support for all young people.
- Funding Allocation: Allocate funds specifically to support individuals aged 30-45 who are still establishing their careers and personal lives.

By expanding the age range for youth, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities and economies.

 We urge all relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to revise existing policies and funding criteria to reflect this necessary change.

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