Making Children & Youth Globally a Priority

Children shape our future.  And yet, children and youth often are an afterthought in the development, decisions, and implementation of critical policy, programming and funding.  At a time of great global crises, the impact of insufficient action now will be consequential for all of us.  Not only is an entire generation of children at high risk of harm to their physical, psychological, and social well-being, but the consequences of such a loss of human potential threatens the economies, health, and security of societies and nations worldwide. 

This is a crucial moment for government leadership that inspires a global response. What does a top priority look like in the US government? Drawing on lessons from other whole-of-government priorities, there are specific features that enable an issue to be a top priority within the US government. 

White House leadership: Presidential leadership is critical to signal across agencies that the topic is important. This can take several forms, including a Cross Agency Priority for agency budgets.   
​

Leading US official: A senior-level US government official who reports to the President, Vice President, or Cabinet member could provide a central point of contact with authority across agencies. This official would facilitate a whole-of-government strategy, cross agency coordination, and government-wide resource allocation.

Funding. Resource allocation is critical to enable priority attention and action.  This can take many forms but should include a White House announcement that commits new funds and leverages existing funding, and that instructs agencies - through a Cross Agency Priority - to integrate  funding allocations for children and youth into their budget plans and reporting. The President’s annual budget request to Congress needs to include robust funding recommendations for this priority.  

Crucial Partners

Congressional champions across political parties who enable policy and funding authorization, provide oversight and accountability, increase public attention, and offer additional leadership.
​

Civil society and philanthropic partners who provide expertise, facilitate partnerships, mobilize and access key networks, and promote accountability.
​

Direct, inclusive participation by affected communities, including youth and frequently marginalized populations, to provide expertise based on their lived experience.