International Youth Day celebrates the power and potential of young people.This year’s focus is on the pivotal role of youth in harnessing technology to advance sustainable development. Around the world, young people are turning clicks into progress, making the most of digital tools to take on local and global challenges – from climate change to rising inequalities to the growing mental health crisis. But achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals. That means bridging digital divides, boosting investments in education, critical thinking and information literacy, tackling the gender biases that often dominate the tech industry, and supporting young innovators in expanding digital solutions. As Artificial Intelligence reshapes our world, young people must also be front and centre in shaping digital policies and institutions. Next month’s Summit of the Future is an opportunity to build global problem-solving mechanisms that are more networked and inclusive. I urge leaders to use the Summit to advance youth participation at every level, establish youth consultative bodies, promote intergenerational dialogue and scale up funding opportunities for young people everywhere.You can count on the UN Youth Office and the entire UN family to stand with and for young people. Together, let us draw on their energy and ideas to shape a more sustainable future for all. 

 UN Human Rights Moldova (OHCHR) considers language a powerful instrument for promoting equality and non-discrimination and fostering a culture of respect and acceptance. OHCHR is dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions to use human rights compliant terminology and language as a catalyst for positive social change. This commitment is evident in OHCHR's recent initiatives in Moldova, aimed at equipping communication specialists with the knowledge and skills to communicate in a way that safeguards the dignity and human rights of all. In July, a comprehensive training program enhanced the knowledge and skills of communication specialists from diverse state institutions related to human right compliant communication with and about groups vulnerable to discrimination. The program was based on the Terminology Guide for Human Rights-Compliant Communication developed by OHCHR Moldova and released in June 2024.Facilitated by the OHCHR team and partners such as GenderDoc-M Information Center, HelpAge International Moldova, the Medico-Social Rehabilitation Center "LOW VISION" and the Equality Council - the training delved into key topics focusing on promoting inclusive and human rights-compliant communication. Sessions included discussions and practical exercises on combatting stereotypes and prejudices through gender-inclusive communication, inclusive communication with and about LGBTQI+ people, as well as persons with disabilities and minorities. “The use of Human Rights-Compliant Communication in media and communication products is crucial in ensuring that groups vulnerable to discrimination are represented accurately and respectfully,” emphasized Tatiana Cernomoriț, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR. “By adopting human rights compliant language, we contribute to a more inclusive and equal society.”The training was well-received by participants, who emphasized its practical value for their work. Nina Balica, Head of the Registration and Archiving Department at the National Council for Disability Determination and Work Capacity Assessment, noted the relevance of the topics covered for her institution's communication with persons with disabilities. “The guide and the knowledge gained here are a valuable resource that will help us communicate correctly and effectively, taking into account human rights-compliant terminology,” she stated.The participants have also increased their skills on developing accessible content for persons with different types of disabilities. For this, the representatives of Center "LOW VISION" provided the participants the opportunity of experiencing the lack of accessibility of communication products for persons with visual impairments, but also what visual accessible content is.The training also addressed communication about persons living with HIV, persons who use drugs, and those under any forms of detention or imprisonment, emphasizing the importance of human rights-compliant messaging in these contexts. Aliona Grădinaru, a representative of the mass media and communication service of the National Administration of Penitentiaries, stated: "We learned a lot of good information regarding communication with and about persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities, which is very important for our institution, as we have both persons disabilities and representatives of different ethnic minorities in penitentiary institutions. Now we are more informed about how to address and communicate with these persons so as not to involuntarily marginalize them. The workshop was essential and we welcome it, as we have not had such training before, but we communicate very often, including about and with people from groups vulnerable to discrimination. Until now we had to research ourselves from multiple and different sources regarding the correct terminology to use but now it is all in one guide and clearly explained to us."Additionally, participants were instructed on the use of inclusive terminology when discussing about older persons, thereby upholding their human rights and dignity. They analyzed various examples of media products illustrating cases of pejorative language in reference to older persons and discussed recommendations on how to avoid reinforcing incorrect perceptions, and generalizations.Dan Verejanu from the Ministry of Justice's Information and Mass Media Communication Service found the workshop informative, stating, "By participating in this workshop, I learned more about the recommended terminology in communication about and with persons with disabilities, older persons, and people from different minority groups. I will use the recommendations in developing communication products for the mass media and information materials for citizens."Each participant received hard copies of the guide, available online in Russian, Romanian, and English versions to share with their colleagues and use in their further public communication.Violina Crăciun, Head of the Communication and International Relations Department at the Republican Center for Children and Youth "ARTICO" highlighted the guide's significance for her work as a communicator. "This guide and training are very welcome in my work, especially regarding the correct terminology to use when referring to various groups vulnerable to discrimination," she said. "We promote social inclusion, and our services are open to all children and young people. Some groups of people referred to in the guide are our direct beneficiaries, and we will use the recommended terminology in our communication products. This guide is also beneficial for the Center's specialists who organize activities with children and young people, so we will promote it among them."OHCHR commends the dedication of all participants and hopes that this initiative will inspire individuals across sectors to apply human rights-compliant communication practices in their professional endeavors. The training is part of a series of awareness-raising events among professionals in media, public relations, and communication on the use of human rights-compliant communication when referring to the groups most vulnerable to discrimination, prejudice, and hate speech.

 The project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The joint initiative was launched in 2022 and was funded with an additional $2 million by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). In November 2023, Switzerland provided $2 million to the project. Under the UNDP-managed component, eight women agricultural producers affected by the socio-economic and energy crisis will be supported to increase the energy efficiency of their farming operations by providing them with equipment and services totalling approximately $200,000. Previously, another 46 women-led enterprises received similar support. Thus, photovoltaic panel systems, biomass boilers, heat pumps and biomass boilers have been installed, so as various energy efficiency measures in warehouses and production facilities have been implemented.Moreover, the financial support of approximately $915,000 granted by Switzerland through FAO will improve food security and maintain the livestock of cattle in households affected by the drought in recent years, which has drastically reduced the corn harvest - the main source of feed for animals. The budget supplementation will increase the number of beneficiaries from 12,000 to 17,000 small farmers and households who will receive concentrated feed for milking cows, alfalfa seeds, corn, and fertilizers. Due to the diversification of agricultural production and increased access to quality feed, farmers will be able to produce more healthy and nutritious foods for their consumption and sale. This will help reduce poverty and improve living standards in rural areas. Additionally, with the funds provided by Switzerland, FAO will continue the implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS), an efficient instrument for acquiring the best agricultural practices among farmers. In addition to the existing 15 FFS established nationwide, another 5 FFS specialized in cow milk production and conservative farming practices in cereal production will be developed in 5 districts in the northern part of the country.Moreover, each Farmer Field School will be outfitted with a No-Till seeder designed for no-plow land processing. This sustainable agricultural practice not only supports environmental conservation but also bolsters farmers' ability to adapt to climate change. Large-capacity No-Till seeders will also be provided to the agricultural research institutions in the country.Equipment will also be received by the 50 households trained within the Farmer Field Schools that produce and market milk. These households will be provided with milking machines to improve milking hygiene, enhance milk quality and facilitate working conditions.Both small ruminant farmers and goat breeders will also benefit from this funding. FAO aims to strengthen the micro-cluster of shepherding from Cimișlia and Basarabeasca districts, created earlier through a joint initiative of UNDP and Switzerland, by providing modern equipment such as electric fences and milking machines to improve animal husbandry practices and enhance the quality of dairy products, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the sector.***The significant dependence of the Republic of Moldova on imports of agricultural and energy products from Ukraine and Russia has made it particularly vulnerable to external shocks. Disruptions in the supply chains of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides, as well as the increase in diesel fuel costs, have significantly affected agricultural producers. Although there was a slight decrease in the prices of some inputs in 2023, they remain historically high, leading to a 4% increase in production costs for wheat, 4.8% for corn, and 13.5% for sunflower compared to 2021.Simultaneously, the substantial increase in the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through the territory of the Republic of Moldova led to a significant drop in prices for local basic cereals. Wheat prices fell by 50%, barley by 46%, corn by 30.9%, and sunflower by 20% in comparison with 2023. This situation has posed major challenges for farmers, with prices remaining at extremely low levels at the beginning of 2024.

This pilot programme, with a total estimated budget of US$5.8 million (approx. 5.34 million Euro), was made possible by funding from the European Union through the "Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis" programme, implemented by UNDP.The programme was launched with the aim of helping vulnerable households to reduce their electricity costs by replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones, aligning with the Government's efforts to enhance energy efficiency in the residential sector.The programme provided financial support, in the form of vouchers, covering up to 80% of the cost of a refrigerator, electric stove, or washing machine, as well as free vouchers worth 500 lei for the purchase of LED bulbs.As a result, vulnerable families acquired 7,246 large household appliances (3,819 refrigerators, 3,391 washing machines and 36 electric stoves) and 303,336 LED bulbs using the vouchers. Additionally, the programme facilitated the recycling of 7,246 old and worn-out appliances."I first heard about the Rabla for household appliances programme when I registered for compensation for the cold season. I logged in for the first time and saw there was a 500 lei voucher for us to get energy-saving lamps. Then I was given another voucher worth 12,000 lei to purchase whatever we wanted for the house. You are allowed to buy a washing machine, refrigerator, or electric stove. Our refrigerator was old, it froze, and the doors didn't close properly. From the 12,000 lei, the programme covers 80%, and I pay 20%. And they brought me this new refrigerator and took away the old one," says Tatiana Leonti, a voucher beneficiary from Bulboaca village, Anenii Noi district.It is estimated that, thanks to this programme, vulnerable consumers will benefit from lower electricity bills due to the use of more economical and energy-efficient appliances and lighting."These vouchers help us a lot to renew old household appliances, which we cannot afford to replace financially. It would mean saving money for a longer time, which is not easy for a family with six children and a grandfather with a disability. We chose a refrigerator; the old one we had from our parents might not be as energy-efficient anymore. We first went to one of the stores indicated in the voucher to get informed in advance," said Mariana Mariț, a voucher beneficiary from Chișinău.According to estimates, a family can save approximately 1,618 lei per year on their electricity bill just by replacing incandescent bulbs with economical LED ones. The annual savings from replacing a single 60W incandescent bulb with a 7W LED bulb is 323 lei."We changed the bulbs throughout the house, in the basement, barn, the whole house. Before, the room was much darker; we had a desk lamp, but now we have put in three bulbs, and the children no longer need the desk lamp. There is light, it's much brighter and economical. The savings were felt immediately, a maximum of 300-400 lei for light, much less compared to the January bill of 835 lei. Now the bill is 475 lei. The savings were felt almost by half," said Vadim Filimon, a voucher beneficiary from Căușeni city.After the conclusion of the pilot "Rabla for household appliances" programme, it will be taken over and further implemented by the National Center for Sustainable Energy on the ecovoucher.md platform.