A/RES/50/81 Page 4 PREAMBLE 1. The decade since the observance of International Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace has been a period during which the world experienced fundamental political, economic and socio-cultural changes. These changes will inevitably affect at least the first decade of the twenty-first century as well. 2. Young people represent agents, beneficiaries and victims of major societal changes and are generally confronted by a paradox: to seek to be integrated into an existing order or to serve as a force to transform that order. Young people in all parts of the world, living in countries at different stages of development and in different socio-economic settings, aspire to full participation in the life of society. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 3. The World Programme of Action for Youth provides a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people. It contains proposals for action to the year 2000 and beyond, aiming at achieving the objectives of the International Youth Year and at fostering conditions and mechanisms to promote improved well-being and livelihood among young people. 4. The Programme of Action focuses in particular on measures to strengthen national capacities in the field of youth and to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to young people for full, effective and constructive participation in society. I. UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION OF INTENT ON YOUTH: AND POTENTIALS PROBLEMS 5. The States Members of the United Nations have agreed to work towards achievement of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, inter alia, the promotion of higher standards of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development. Young people in all parts of the world, living in countries at different stages of development and in different socio-economic situations, aspire to full participation in the life of society, as provided in the Charter, including: (a) Attainment of an educational level commensurate with their aspirations; (b) (c) society; Access to employment opportunities equal to their abilities; Food and nutrition adequate for full participation in the life of (d) A physical and social environment that promotes good health, offers protection from disease and addiction and is free from all types of violence; (e) Human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or any other forms of discrimination; (f) Participation in decision-making processes; /...