Young people are vital members of communities. They’re active and unafraid to challenge the status quo and raise their voices. That is why, in order to build an inclusive, sustainable future for all, it is essential to hear their voice in health-related decision-making processes.
Youth4Health is a special initiative of Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director of WHO/Europe. Launched in 2021, the initiative aims to enhance the influence of youth voices and perspectives across all aspects of WHO/Europe's work.
Turkmen youth are among the young people who have joined the Youth4Health network. Recently, Myrat Garryyev State Medical University of Turkmenistan became a member of the Youth4Health network, signaling the university’s commitment to contributing to public health.
A partnership to lift youth
On 13 June 2024, when the first introductory online meeting of the Youth4Health initiative took place in Ashgabat, the agenda included how to empower youth in promoting health and well-being within their communities.
Organized by the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan, the meeting brought together representatives from the Myrat Garryyev State Medical University of Turkmenistan and the Youth4Health team from WHO/Europe.
Participants discussed potential projects, initiatives, and strategies to advance the goals of the Youth4Health initiative, and exchanged ideas on how to make the voices of youth better heard in Turkmenistan.
“This partnership seeks to empower our youth in promoting health and well-being within our community. Myrat Garryyev State Medical University of Turkmenistan is committed to contributing to the promotion of public health and looks forward to engaging with the Youth4Health team,” noted Babajanov Samir, a young activist from the Youth4Health network in Turkmenistan.