Bethnahrin Progressive Youth Council meeting stresses youth empowerment – SyriacPress

Report on the Bethnahrin Progressive Youth Council’s Strategic Meeting and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Executive Summary

On 21 November 2025, the Bethnahrin Progressive Youth Council convened a meeting at its headquarters in Nineveh Plain, Iraq. The session focused on reviewing past performance, strategic planning, and enhancing the role of Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian youth in society. The Council’s activities and objectives demonstrate a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning inclusive institutions, quality education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable communities.

2.0 Meeting Agenda and Key Discussion Points

The meeting, attended by the co-presidency and members, addressed a structured agenda aimed at reinforcing the Council’s mission. Key items included:

1. A comprehensive review of work completed over the preceding three-month period.
2. An analysis of new memberships and internal organizational developments.
3. The formulation of a strategic action plan for the upcoming quarter.
4. A detailed discussion on the current situation and future requirements for Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian youth in Iraq.

3.0 Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Council’s initiatives and strategic direction contribute directly to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The emphasis on youth empowerment is a cross-cutting theme that supports multiple SDGs:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: By actively working to increase youth participation and activate their role in society, the Council promotes the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions (Target 16.7). Its founding statement, emphasizing the youth’s role in building a better future, reinforces this commitment.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The focus on intensifying efforts in “awareness and empowerment” aligns with providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.7), equipping youth with the skills needed for sustainable development.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The Council’s specific focus on the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian youth community directly addresses the goal of empowering and promoting the social and political inclusion of all, irrespective of origin or status (Target 10.2).
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Through organized visits to religious sites and cultural centers, such as the shrine of Saint Barbara in Karamlesh, the Council contributes to efforts to protect and safeguard cultural heritage (Target 11.4).
• SDG 3 & 5: Good Health, Well-being, and Gender Equality: The organization of recreational activities, group games, and folklore dances promotes social cohesion and mental well-being (SDG 3). The Council’s co-presidency structure, established at its founding conference on 12 September 2025, exemplifies a commitment to ensuring full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership (SDG 5).

4.0 Resolutions and Forward Strategy

The meeting concluded with a consensus on several key resolutions designed to advance the Council’s mission in alignment with SDG principles:

• To enhance the role of youth as active agents of change in building a peaceful and inclusive society.
• To intensify efforts in awareness and empowerment initiatives, fostering civic responsibility.
• To develop and implement new activities and proposals that increase youth engagement in community and national development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   The article discusses the formation and activities of the Bethnahrin Progressive Youth Council, an institution created by and for youth. Its focus on holding meetings, electing leadership (“Council Co-presidency and 15 members were elected”), and setting action plans demonstrates the building of effective and inclusive institutions at a community level. The goal to “increase youth participation and activate their role in society” directly supports the aim of creating a more peaceful and inclusive society by empowering a specific demographic group (Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian youth).

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   The article highlights the council’s commitment to “intensifying efforts in awareness and empowerment.” This aligns with the broader goals of education for sustainable development and global citizenship. By working to raise awareness and empower young people, the council is contributing to non-formal education that equips youth with the knowledge and skills to participate actively in building “a better future for people and homeland.”

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The article mentions that the council organizes activities to preserve and promote its cultural heritage. Specifically, it states that the council holds “visits to religious sites” and that trips feature “folklore dance (Dabke).” These activities are direct efforts to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community, which is a key component of creating sustainable and culturally rich communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

  The entire premise of the Bethnahrin Progressive Youth Council, from its founding conference to its regular meetings, is to create a platform for youth participation. The article explicitly states that the council discussed “proposals and activities that would increase youth participation and activate their role in society,” which is a direct reflection of this target.

• Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including… a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity…

  The council’s focus on “awareness and empowerment” aims to equip youth with skills for active citizenship. Furthermore, the cultural activities mentioned, such as performing “folklore dance (Dabke),” directly contribute to the “appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.”

• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

  This target is directly addressed through the council’s organized activities. The article mentions that “The Council periodically holds recreational trips for its members, including visits to religious sites and summer resorts,” and engages in cultural expressions like “folklore dance (Dabke).” These actions are tangible efforts to protect and engage with the community’s cultural heritage.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.7: Proportion of positions in public institutions (including… local government) held by… young persons.

  While not a public institution in the governmental sense, the formation of the council and the election of a “Co-presidency and 15 members” serves as a direct measure of youth representation and participation in community-level decision-making. The mention of “new memberships within the Council” also implies a metric for tracking the growth of youth engagement.

• Implied Indicator for Target 4.7: The number of awareness and empowerment activities.

  The article states that the council is “intensifying efforts in awareness and empowerment” and has set “an action plan for the next 3 months.” The number of meetings, workshops, or campaigns included in this action plan could serve as a direct indicator of progress towards this target.

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.4: The number of cultural and heritage-focused events.

  The article provides concrete examples of activities that can be quantified to measure progress. The number of “recreational trips” organized, the number of “visits to religious sites” conducted, and the frequency of events featuring “folklore dance (Dabke)” are all specific, measurable indicators of the council’s efforts to safeguard cultural heritage.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: syriacpress.com