Youth Alliance for the Right to Development (YARD)

In line with his 2023 vision report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur is committed to engaging with children and youth in all his mandate activities. To institutionalise such engagement, the Special Rapporteur in April 2026 decided to establish the Youth Alliance for the Right to Development (YARD).

YARD members – serving in their personal and pro bono capacity – support the mandate of the Special Rapporteur in contributing to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the right to development at local, national, regional and international levels. They do so by actively engaging with the mandate in a variety of ways depending on their priorities, personal interests and availability.

YARD comprises a small group of youth between the age of 15 and 29 years from diverse backgrounds, representing all world regions and working on diverse issues. Based on nominations received by the deadline of 27 April 2026, the Special Rapporteur, in consultation with his team, will select highly motivated youth to serve on YARD. The inaugural YARD members will begin their 1-year term – renewable on mutual agreement – in May 2026.

Terms of reference

YARD will contribute by:

1. Attending virtual YARD meetings (max two annually) organised by the Special Rapporteur
2. Raising awareness about the right to development among youth, including by creating and sharing digital content
3. Identifying various challenges concerning the right to development faced by youth and brainstorm practical solutions with the Special Rapporteur
4. Providing advice to the Special Rapporteur on issues related to his mandate, including his engagement in high-level events or forums
5. Participating in consultations, workshops, conferences or events (including Development Dialogues) organised by the Special Rapporteur and/or making submissions to inform his thematic reports and policy briefs
6. Disseminating key recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur and conducting advocacy for their implementation
7. Engaging in various programmes and initiatives aimed to promote the implementation of the right to development such as the Global Mapping Project

Nomination form