Colorado Youth Advisory Council Policy Proposals: A Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) presented its annual policy recommendations to state legislators, demonstrating resilience despite significant budgetary challenges that threatened the program’s continuation. The proposals cover a range of critical issues, including education, health, and environmental protection, with a strong underlying alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite a reduction in its direct legislative power, COYAC’s work continues to provide a vital platform for youth participation in state governance, forwarding key SDG targets.

Key Policy Areas and SDG Alignment

The council’s proposals are categorized into three primary areas, each addressing specific SDGs aimed at creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

1. Education, Equality, and Economic Opportunity

Proposals in this category focus on creating inclusive and effective educational systems, directly contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Vocational Programs for Students with Disabilities: A recommendation to expand access to vocational training for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  1. SDG 4 (Quality Education): This initiative promotes Target 4.5, which aims to ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities.
  2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): It supports Target 10.2 by fostering the social and economic inclusion of all individuals, irrespective of disability.
• Statewide Life-Skills Curriculum: The development of a standardized life-skills curriculum for all high school students.
  1. SDG 4 (Quality Education): This aligns with Target 4.7, which seeks to ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

2. Health and Well-being

The council addressed pressing health issues, particularly in rural and youth populations, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

• Rural Telehealth Pilot Program: A proposal to launch a telehealth pilot to close healthcare access gaps in rural schools.
  1. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): This directly supports Target 3.8, which calls for achieving universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services for all.
  2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The program aims to reduce health disparities between rural and urban communities.
• Youth Substance Abuse Prevention: Three proposals were dedicated to addressing youth substance abuse, with a specific focus on oral nicotine products. Recommendations include improved statewide data collection and the creation of an official guidance report for school districts.
  1. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): These measures contribute to Target 3.5, which focuses on strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

3. Environmental Sustainability and Responsible Consumption

Environmental policy was a significant focus, with recommendations targeting pollution and waste reduction. These proposals support SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

• Reduction of Single-Use Plastics: A policy for restaurants to provide reusable cups by default and offer disposable items like plastic straws and silverware only upon request.
  1. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): This aligns with Target 12.5 to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention and reduction.
  2. SDG 14 (Life Below Water): The policy helps achieve Target 14.1 by preventing land-based pollution, including plastic waste, from entering marine ecosystems.
• Updating Pollution Violation Penalties: A recommendation to modernize the framework for fining businesses that violate pollution regulations.
  1. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): This supports the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions by ensuring environmental laws are enforced.

Program Status and Future Outlook

Earlier in the year, COYAC faced potential defunding due to a statewide budget deficit. However, lawmakers allocated $50,000 in annual funding to ensure its continuation. While budget cuts have removed the council’s authority to directly draft bills, its proposals will be formally submitted to the General Assembly for consideration. This continued engagement ensures that youth perspectives remain integral to the legislative process, upholding the principles of inclusive and participatory decision-making as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Addressed through proposals on youth substance abuse and telehealth services.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Connected to proposals for expanding vocational programs for students with disabilities and creating a life-skills curriculum.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Relevant to the recommendations for reducing plastic waste and updating pollution fines.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Highlighted by the existence and function of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) itself, which promotes youth participation in legislative processes.

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

• Target 3.5: “Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse…” This is directly addressed by the three proposals covering youth substance abuse, particularly the push to address oral nicotine use among teens.
• Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage…” The proposal to launch a “telehealth pilot to address health care gaps in rural schools” directly aims to improve access to essential health-care services for a specific population.
• Target 4.5: “…ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities…” This is clearly linked to the proposal for “expanding access to vocational programs for students with intellectual disabilities.”
• Target 4.7: “…ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The proposal for “developing a statewide life-skills curriculum for high schoolers” aligns with providing skills for life and sustainable lifestyles.
• Target 12.5: “…substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” This target is addressed by the proposal that restaurants “default to reusable cups and only provide plastic straws and disposable silverware when requested,” which is a strategy for waste prevention and reduction.
• Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The entire premise of the article—a Youth Advisory Council presenting policy proposals to state lawmakers—is an example of this target in action, promoting youth participation in governance.

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

• For Target 3.5: The article explicitly mentions a proposal for “more statewide data on oral nicotine use among youth.” This data serves as a direct indicator to measure the prevalence of substance use and track the effectiveness of prevention efforts.
• For Target 4.5: Progress can be measured by tracking the number and percentage of students with intellectual disabilities who are enrolled in and have access to the expanded vocational programs.
• For Target 12.5: An indicator is the implementation of policies to reduce single-use plastics. Progress could be measured by the number of restaurants adopting the new default practices and the subsequent reduction in plastic waste generated.
• For Target 16.7: The continued operation and funding of COYAC is an indicator of institutional commitment to participatory decision-making. The number of proposals considered or adopted by the General Assembly would be a measure of the effectiveness of this participation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cpr.org