MSI: What prompted Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) to spearhead the development of a white paper on Youth & the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

Jill Mills: The MDGs are a growing concern for everyone, especially those who work in advocacy and social change. At GYAN, we have created an MDG strategy to create awareness and change where the MDGs are concerned. GYAN has also become one of the leading youth groups addressing the MDGs, with the intention of putting young people at the forefront of efforts to achieve them. In line with their commitment, GYAN has conducted a global e-consultation, is acting as secretariat for an ad-hoc working group of youth experts, and facilitated a significant report on Youth and the MDGs which has been presented to the UN Millennium Project and is now in consultation phase. Recently GYAN signed agreements with the UN Millennium Campaign and the World Federation of United Nations Associations, further committing ourselves to the vision and work of the UN and surrounding community of NGOs.

MSI: What unique qualities do young people bring to meet the goals by the 2015 deadline?

Jill Mills: In the year 2015, it will be the youth of today living in the world that we create for the future. If today's youth want to have a prosperous future living in a better world, they need to be heard and make a difference now. They are key stakeholders in the future or our world. Youth are energized and motivated to ensure they have bright futures to look forward too.

MSI: Why is young people's involvement so important?

Jill Mills: Youth are a massive demographic in the world today. In many countries, people 25 years old and under comprise more than half of the population. They need to be involved and consulted on major decisions that affect the population as a whole, as they are always impacted strongly by them.

MSI: What role do you see medical students, and IFMSA as a whole, play in this regard?

Jill Mills: Medical and health services are strongly lacking or extremely weak in most developing countries. Doctors or medical students should be aware of and committed to Goals 4, 5, and 6, where medical needs have to be addressed to meet the Goals. Information sharing and volunteering your time and knowledge is a great way for medical students to have an impact on achieving the Goals.

MSI: What are the major challenges facing young people?

Jill Mills: Young people face many challenges in addressing the MDGs. First, it is hard for young people to be heard or taken seriously by their government officials. Their needs must be heard as they often suffer the most from the devastation addressed in each goal. Young people, especially young women feel the catastrophic effects of gender inequality, hunger, poverty, lack of education, maternal illness, and high HIV/AIDS and

MSI: Thank you

Jill Mills: You are welcome

Jill Mills, the UN & Youth Program Coordinator of the Global Youth Action Network speaks about Youth & the MDGs, and the role of medical students in achieving the MDGs. The Global Youth Action Network is a not-for-profit organization that acts as an incubator of global partnerships among youth organizations.