CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Cuba addresses the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Youth.

Statement by Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Cuba to the United Nations, at the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Youth. New York, 26 July 2011

Mr. President,

When we meet to address the topic of youth, we meet to talk about the future of humankind and the planet.

But youth is not only the future; they are also the present. That is why we must act without further delay to face the serious problems and challenges faced by the global youth.

At present, there are 1.2 billions youths worldwide, which is more than ever before in the history of humankind. Eighty-five percent of them live in developing countries. In 2025, there will be about 72 million more youths than today.

Unquestionably, youth is a formidable force to face the colossal challenges faced by humankind. However, youth can only be the driving force if they have healthcare, education and employment. In order to develop their full potential, youths need a peaceful world.

The youth has the right to be protected and be fully inserted in the mechanisms for citizen participation and for decision making. They have the right to live in a world free of wars and violence. They want and deserve the option of a better future.

All these concerns were expressed by them at the World Festival of Youth and Students, which was a momentous event held last December in South Africa, with the attendance of over 15 thousand youths from 136 nations.

Mr. President,

The reality of the Cuban youth is very different from that in most of the world. The Cuban youth, accounting for about 20% of our population, is widely protected and participates actively in leading our society and State.

Over 50% of the current expenditures of the State budget in Cuba are allocated to healthcare, education, assistance, social welfare, and culture.

The existence of a national healthcare system completely free of charge with renowned quality, and the universal and equally free of charge education system in all levels, are the essential pillars of the humanistic conception of the Cuban Revolution, which promotes the creation of a society without discrimination or exclusion, a society guaranteeing all its citizens, including the youth, equal rights and opportunities.

Education for children and youths with special educational needs has 100% coverage in Cuba.
The literacy rate in the Cuban population from 15 to 49 years old is 99.6%. The youths of working age that graduated from different schools are ensured their first job.

Cuba has a solid legal and institutional framework for the protection of children and youths from violence, abuse, mistreatment, or discrimination. Additionally, we have prevention and care and rehabilitation programs for the victims of such manifestations.

Even with these successes, we do not believe ourselves perfect. There is still a long road ahead, and we are working on it.

Our country has made its achievements despite the existence of huge obstacles. The criminal economic, commercial and financial blockade by the US Government against Cuba; aggressions and terrorist acts; and the constant anti-Cuba hostile policy of successive US administrations for over half a century, has denied the Cuban youth the possibility to develop in a more favorable social environment.

Under these difficult circumstances, we have not only attained important results for Cuba. We have also shared what we have and not what we have in excess. We cooperate with solidarity with many countries, first of all benefiting hundreds of thousands of children and youths, primarily from the most disadvantaged groups.

Since 1961, 55 188 students from 135 countries and 4 overseas territories have graduated in Cuba. At present, about 26 thousand youths from Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa are studying in our country. Twenty-two thousand of them are taking medical studies.

More than 513 thousand Cuban collaborators have worked in 157 countries. Around 57 thousand Cuban collaborators are currently rendering their services in 98 countries and 4 overseas territories.

Mr. President,

Youth is by definition revolutionary. Therefore, we are optimistic and fully trust that youth will find the way to the change humankind urgently needs in order to achieve a better world.

Thank you.

(Cubaminrex-Embacuba ONU)