KUNDUZ - A UN radio series on youth in politics is expected to reach an audience of 800,000 Afghans across four northeastern provinces in the coming weeks.

The first episode in the four-part series, designed to encourage young people to participate in politics, launched on Radio Roshani in Kunduz with a lively question-and-answer format that included a women’s rights activist, a youth affairs leader and a religious scholar.

“Youth are the backbone and pride of society,” said panelist and activist Saliha Sadee, noting there are significant challenges young Afghans face in contributing to peace and development.

Addressing those challenges, which include insecurity, unemployment and poverty, religious scholar Mawlawi Sayed Ali Gawhari urged parents and teachers to instruct children about conflict resolution so they can play a more effective role in peace-building as they are growing up.

The series, scheduled for broadcast in the other northeastern provinces of Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan through the end of August, was produced for International Youth Day. Global events for this year’s Youth Day, marked annually on 12 August, were designed to raise awareness about youth as essential in achieving sustainable development.

In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on young people around the world to speak out, and urged leaders to listen.

“As the world changes with unprecedented speed, young people are proving to be invaluable partners who can advance meaningful solutions,” he said. “Let us all support young people in creating a future where our planet is protected and all people live in dignity.”