Young People Represent Their Countries at the U.N.

From 19 to 25 September, the world’s leaders will take the lectern in New York for the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations. Amongst the delegates seeing world diplomacy at work for the first time are young people from more than 35 countries. United Nations Youth Delegates bring young people’s issues to the Assembly, and promote interest and knowledge of international issues to young people in their own countries.

The General Assembly is the beginning of a new year for the United Nations. Although the UN meets year-round, one week in September provides a focus and impetus for the upcoming year. Heads of state from most of the member countries are present, giving rare opportunities for public and backroom diplomacy.

Amongst longer-term topics on global peace, development and environmental concerns, the 2017 Assembly was already scheduled to discuss nuclear limitation and disarmament. The continued North Korean missile tests make the topic all the more urgent. The refugee situation concerning Myanmar’s Rohingya population will also dominate discussions, alongside ongoing refugee crises from Syria, South Sudan and Afghanistan.

 

 

The Voice of Youth

Youth Delegates to the U.N. join their countries’ delegations of diplomats and have the opportunity to observe and speak in the assembly and in committee meetings. The idea was pioneered by the Netherlands and Norway in the early 1970s. Today, more than 30 countries send youth delegates from every inhabited continent. Most countries send one or two delegates, with the biggest delegations coming from Morocco and Mexico.

Australia’s Youth Representative works for a whole year, touring the country and hearing young people’s views, before representing Australia at the U.N. The current representative is Paige Burton. Read an interview with Paige.

Ireland’s Youth Representative programme is three years old. This year’s representatives are politics graduates Lauren Flanagan and Paul Dockery.

The U.S.A.’s sixth Youth Observer is Munira Khalif, 20, who was born in Minnesota to Somalia parents. Khalif has been volunteering and campaigning for equal rights and education for girls and women since she was in high school. She says of her peers, “Young people are students. We have jobs, and yet at the same time, it’s important that we find ways to be able to engage.”