Many of today’s youth are doing well. They are brought up in cohesive, caring societies, with access to proper education and healthcare, and are prepared for responsible and productive futures. Alongside these achievements and optimism exists a parallel reality that is much less pleasant. Many young people continue to suffer from poverty, discrimination and abuse. A fairly great number still lack access to proper education and healthcare, and suffer from fatal diseases such as HIV/AIDS or fall prey to early pregnancy or child marriage. This report seeks to address these two themes that characterise youth, exploring the hope, ambition and potential that exists in this context, while at the same time examining the elements of vulnerability, danger and lost opportunity. The publication is based on the findings of the Expert Group Meeting on Global Priorities for Youth, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Finland.