Welcome to the United Nations
Thao Nguyen, Australia
Tell us about yourself
I am a 24 year old Leo and was born in a Thai refugee camp. My family arrived in Australia as Vietnamese refugees in 1980. I live in Sydney and am currently finishing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney. I have graduated from Economics with a major in International Relations and Government. I am currently Youth Chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW which is a peak statewide body representing and advocating for ethnic and religious communities in the state. I have also coordinated community youth cultural development projects and believe that arts and creative expression can facilitate social inclusion and community development. I enjoy watching films and reading books. The last book I read was Animal Farm by George Orwell and I am currently reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami and the New York Lonely Planet Guide. Right now I’m listening to Ani Difranco, Fiona Apple and Tindersticks. I love dark chocolate.
How were you selected as a youth delegate?
The National Executive United Nations Youth association openly invites people to apply. It is a national selection process and over 120 eligible young people applied for the position. A shortlist was compiled and then interviews were held in each state by three members of the UNYA state divisions. The interviews were video recorded then sent to a national panel, consisting of the National Executive, the immediate past two youth representatives and a representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A points system was adhered to and selections were discussed over a teleconference, with a final decision made.
What has been the history in your country of the inclusion of youth representatives in official delegations to the General Assembly and/or other international meetings?
In 1999, the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) prepared a proposal outlining the need for a Youth Representative in Australia’s Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This proposal was based on the fact that the General Assembly had passed numerous resolutions calling for youth representation at the highest level decision-making meetings and those Member States with existing Youth Representatives (primarily the Scandinavian countries) found that the insight provided by young people was highly valuable. UNYA’s presentation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alexander Downer, was successful, and that year, Australia’s first Youth Representative was included in Australia’s Delegation to UNGA as a fully accredited member
What have you done to prepare yourself for your task in New York?
For the weeks leading up to departure, I was traveling around the country consulting with young people and organizations about the major youth issues as well as the issues around youth political participation. My consultation tour included travel to 6 cities in Australia and included meetings with marginalized young people from Indigenous, rural, ethnic and refugee backgrounds. A website was also set up with an online survey as a tool for consultation.
What burning youth issue(s) will you be presenting to the other Third Committee delegates?
Young Australians face a number of diverse issues, including facing excessive social pressures and expectations, mental health issues, community disengagement, safe and comfortable spaces for self expression and meaningful participation in decision making. Indigenous young people are still extremely disadvantaged with low school retention rates, high incarceration rates and inadequate health conditions. Young people of marginalized backgrounds face higher possibilities of being socially excluded leading to issues around identity and place.
What do you expect to achieve?
I hope to be part of a process that furthers the accumulated efforts of previous youth reps, to support and lobby for the development of the inclusion of more youth reps in other delegations. I hope to learn as much as possible about the dynamics of young people at the UN so that I am able to share my experiences and insight with young Australians back home. I expect to work with other youth reps to come up with innovative ways to engage the General Assembly and other delegations, to share the processes involved in creating a youth rep as well as the importance of the role. I also expect to improve my Spanish which is very bad.
What do you think is the added value of youth delegates to the General Assembly process?
I believe that young people are able to add a fresh new dimension and insight into the debate around development of world youth. As the incidence of any policy developed will fall upon young people, it makes natural sense for youth policies to be driven, shaped and informed by young people. Direct experience is invaluable and often difficult to find and therefore harness in a large bureaucracy. The presence of youth delegates, genuinely given consultative and negotiation status is a key to workable development for world youth. Young people also fluid and flexible in thought. We also know how to have fun!
How can youth organizations and/or governments from developed countries increase UNGA youth participation from the lesser and least developed countries?
Forming strategic partnerships with developed countries within the region, experienced in sending representatives is an important way to cultivate youth reps from least developed countries (LDCs). Regional developing countries wishing to send youth reps can form a coalition to pool resources in order to facilitate at least one youth rep from a LDC within that region. If sending a youth rep is not possible, then it would be best to inform the youth reps in that region of the major issues of concern for youth from LDCs. If the goal is not achievable now, it is better to make the existing structures and processes as effective as possible.
How will you share your experience with others when you return to your country?
Every two weeks, I will post a report on the Australian Youth Rep website. A final report after my trip will also be posted. Once I return to Australia, I will be traveling around the nation, (especially to the areas that I did not go to pre NY) to conduct presentations and forums about the knowledge, insight and experience gained from being in New York. I am also producing a DVD about the complete journey that can be reproduced and distributed to schools and youth organizations around the country.
For further information, you can contact Thao via: youthrep2004@unya.asn.au
Ilia Dib, Austria
Tell us about yourself (where do you live, your age, studies, work, hobbies, are you a member of a youth organization, etc.)
My name is Ilia Dib, living in Austria, Vienna. I'm 20 years old and student in law and ethnology. The last 4 years I was in a local and later in the national board of Austrian's biggest school student organisation, called AKS (organization of critical school students). At the moment I'm one of seven board members in an European umbrella organization for school student organizations, called OBESSU (organization board of European school student unions). Beside that I am also engaged in a student organization on an university level. Further - of course - my next year will be dominated by being a youth representative for Austria.
How were you selected as a youth delegate?
The board of the Austrian Youth Council for international affairs elected me. First they selected three people, based on a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter and an article about my visions of the United Nations.
In the second round we, the three candidates, had a hearing and were asked to write a speech and explain what we are going to do with this position. Because it was the first time for Austria to send a elected Youth-Rep (in 1999 there was a youth rep as well, but without any election process), we needed more time and the decision was quite late; in the end of August I was elected to be the Youth-Rep for this year.
What have your tasks been in New York? What issues did you work on?
For me New York was mostly a study trip, a possibility to get to know the UN, to go home and tell young people about it. During my stay in New York the whole group of Youth-Reps worked very close together. We organized a seminar on how to send a Youth-Rep, we tried to lobby for more Youth-Reps next year and we were also involved in discussions on the Youth resolution. In my mission I got the possibility to learn a lot and I make a speech in the Third Committee about youth-participation, the role of young people in democracy and how important it is to involve youth to get rid of racism and women's discrimination.
What was it like to be a youth delegate?
That's a difficult question. A lot of people I talked to didn't even know what a youth delegate should be. Because it was the first time for Austria, it was also my job to define what a youth representative should look like. To draw a difference between Youth-Rep and interns was not so easy. But I think, being a youth representative gives the possibility to act a little bit different than the delegates in the UN. You are young and that means that you can act in a "younger" way. On the other hand, acting as a "youngster" means that you are not treated in a very serious way. A lot of people try to explain you the world because you're a young woman and it isn't easy to react in a right way to this behaviour. It is important to show that being young does not mean to be stupid.
What do you think is the added value of youth delegates to the General Assembly process?
Especially the UN, which works on goals for the next 10, 20 or even more years, makes policy for the future. Ad the youth is the future. But that's not enough. In my opinion, including young people into policy can guarantee not to get stuck into traditional courses in policy. Further it is necessary to integrate youth for democracy. If young people do not learn to participate, how can the be part of democracy, how can they live and experience democracy?
How will you share your experience with others when you return to your country?
I will go to schools to hold workshops there, to inform young people about international politics. Further I will work on a webpage and I'm going to write, together with my national youth council a hand booklet on the UN. Because I am the first Austrian Youth-Rep I will be included in the elections of the next year youth delegate and will help this person in preparation.
To learn more about Ilia, you may contact her via: ilia@aks.at
Henri Heikura, Finland
Tell us about yourself
My name is Henri and I come from Helsinki, Finland. I’m a student at the Helsinki School of Economics. However, I plan to graduate in the coming year so the student status probably will not last that long. During my studies I have been active on other fronts, as well. For already quite some time I have been active in student politics. Later I also got involved in a labor organization and its youth policies. That was also the route to become the Finish youth delegate as they proposed me to the Finnish national youth council. Besides all sorts of voluntary organizational work, I have also worked on the private sector during my studies. In my spare time (if any) I like to do sports, especially football.
How were you selected as a youth delegate?
The invitation is sent out to member organizations of the Finnish national youth council (Allianssi). My organization (AKAVA) nominated me, and after writing the required application forms and completing an interview, Allianssi made the decision in my favor. Later, the decision was approved by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
What has been the history in your country of the inclusion of youth representatives in official delegations to the General Assembly and/or other international meetings?
Finland has been sending a youth-rep to the UNGA since late 1990’s. So far, there has not been such permanent representation to other central meetings.
How do you perceive your role as a youth delegate?
I represent the youth of Finland. As an outcome, I see myself having a dual role. On the other hand, I represent Finnish youth to the Finnish delegation. I participate in the discussion of UN youth policies from my own perspective and represent those views to the UN community. On the other hand, I represent world youth towards the UN system and member countries. I am a living example of how youth can be included in UN decision-making. Personally I see it as an obligation to promote the idea of youth delegates to other countries, as well.
What have you done to prepare yourself for your task in New York?
I was elected in May. Since that I have studied the UN, UN youth policies and the future agenda. After the summer I have met representatives from the Foreign Ministry a few times and discussed the agenda with my predecessors and the national youth council. I also attended the Youth-rep preparation meeting held in Helsinki in the beginning of September. Now, a week before departure I am starting to feel prepared.
What burning youth issue(s) will you be presenting to the other Third Committee delegates?
Together with the other youth delegates we will try to promote the idea of youth delegates. In order for real youth participation to take place we need a broader representation of the world youth. My primary personal interests are related to youth employment and international mobility.
What do you expect to achieve?
I expect to participate in the decision-making process and personally keep the challenges of youth on the agenda. On a micro level I expect to meet a lot of individuals to be able to address the UN youth agenda. Back in Finland I expect to promote the UN youth agenda and keep the Finnish youth scene aware of global issues.
What do you think is the added value of youth delegates to the General Assembly process?
When it comes to questions regarding youth, I think it is only natural that the youth are heard. They are the experts of their own lives and know the situation of other youth, as well.
How can youth organizations and/or governments from developed countries increase UNGA youth participation from the lesser and least developed countries?
Only young people from developed countries cannot represent the youth of the world. Thus it is also to the benefit of developed countries that less developed countries would include youth delegates in their delegations. The best way to promote the idea is to provide information. Some countries have long traditions from UNGA youth participation. They should see it as an obligation to promote the idea and the requirements of youth participation to less developed countries. If the financing constitutes a problem, financial aid should also be considered.
How will you share your experience with others when you return to your country?
I will naturally report about my trip to the Finnish Youth Council, Foreign Ministry and other youth delegates. On top of that I will write articles to magazines and newspapers and volunteer for seminars, panels and presentations in schools, youth organizations and where ever needed.
For further information, you can contact Henri via: henri.heikura@ky.hkkk.fi
Karsten Sprenger, Netherlands
Tell us about yourself (where do you live, your age, studies, work, hobbies, are you a member of a youth organization, etc.)
My name is Karsten Sprenger. I’m 24 years old and a student at the University of Groningen, in the North of the Netherlands. I’ve been involved in International organizations for a lot of years. It all started when I participated at International camp in Rumania when I was 11. Since than I’ve been involved in different types of international organizations. When I went to university, I became a member of the Dutch United Nations Student Association. After organizing a couple of UN events in the Netherlands I became a board member of the Dutch United Nations Association. Since February 2004 I’m the Dutch Youth Representative to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
How were you selected as a youth delegate?
At the end of 2003, I saw an advert that called for a new youth representative for the Netherlands. I had heard about this position before, but I didn’t really know much about it. After doing some research I decided to apply. Part of the selection is writing an essay, filling in a questionnaire and of course an interview. In the Netherlands you don’t have to be nominated by an organization, so you are “just” representing the entire Dutch youth population. The selection is done by the Dutch National Youth Council. They are also supporting and guiding the youth rep.
This upcoming year the selection is different. Now a jury has selected 6 persons that will compete against each other through debate and campaign. People will be able to vote on one of these persons through cell phone text messages and internet.
What has been the history in your country of the inclusion of youth representatives in official delegations to the General Assembly and/or other international meetings?
The Netherlands have had a long tradition of sending a youth rep to the General Assembly of the United Nations. Already in the beginning of the 70’s there has been a selection of this person. At this moment in the Netherlands the Dutch National Youth Council has 7 youth representatives: 2 to the European Union, 2 to the Committee on Sustainable Development, 1 to the World Summit on Information Society, 1 to the UNESCO and of course 1 also the GA of the UN.
What have you done to prepare yourself for your task in New York?
Even though it’s hard to know what to expect while in New York, of course I’ve used a lot of time to prepare myself. Besides reading a lot of background information and being in contact with other youth reps, I’ve been involved in several happenings in the Netherlands concerning the United Nations. In June we had a UN-Convention in Amsterdam where all kind of experts in the Netherlands came together to talk about the reform of the United Nations. People like the Minister of Foreign Affairs, members of Parliament and the High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers where present. I had a debate against a member of parliament about youth participation at the UN. At the beginning of September there was an other UN event in the Hague, also with members of parliament and people from civil society.
What do you expect to achieve?
Together with the other youth reps we’re struggling for a high percentage of youth participation. All the member states of the United Nations have in several resolutions declared that they support sending youth reps to the GA, but in my perspective it is still not enough. This year just 10 countries have sent a youth rep, out of 191 Member States. We hope to achieve that next year, during the review of the World Programme of Action for Youth, many more countries will send a youth rep. We especially support new youth delegates from the third-world countries.
What do you think is the added value of youth delegates to the General Assembly process?
Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are also the partners for today. The delegates from the different countries will be retired in a couple of years, and it will be us who have taken over. In my opinion the youth also have different views on some cases. Therefore it is a good thing to not only let the old and wise make decisions, but also the young people. Especially when these are topics that are related to themselves.
How can youth organizations and/or governments from developed countries increase UNGA youth participation from the lesser and least developed countries?
As written above, the youth reps from 2004 support the effort made by some lesser and least developed countries to send a youth representative. We are very happy to welcome El Salvador and Fiji to the UNGA 2004. A big problem for a lot of countries is the lack of finances or the lack of a good structure of a youth council. Both organizations and governments could be helpful in supporting the finance for countries that are willing to send a youth rep. Organizations, and especially National Youth Councils, would be a good party to help bringing a better structure to youth council, in countries where this is not happening.
How will you share your experience with others when you return to your country?
I’m planning to do a lot of things when I come back. A week after I come home I’ll be giving a lecture for High-School youth about the UN. Furthermore I’m planning to visit more schools and organizations. I’m also planning to organize several events for young people to let them get in contact with the UN and what youth can do with this beautiful organization.
For further information, you can contact Karsten at:karstensprenger@jeugdraad.nl
Elizabeth Bucknell, Fiji
My name is Elizabeth Bucknell and I hail from the beloved Island of Fiji. I’m a citizen whose parents hail from two different worlds. My father is part European, while my mum is originally from the Fiji Islands. I am 18yrs old and am currently studying at a Secondary School, Completing my Seventh Form. Among a lot of other things that I love doing, I like meeting people, sports and I love music.
The Ministry of Youth, Employment Opportunities and Sports in Suva, Fiji had a few names in mind. Upon the request to send a young delegate to the UNGA, my name was submitted as I had represented the Western Division at a Commonwealth Oratory contest and came out National Champion and I also participated in the 2003 National Youth Parliament and was appointed leader of the Opposition by my peers. I believe that these carried a lot of weight during the selection.
With great pleasure, I wish to inform you that the Fiji Government has never before sent a delegate to the UNGA. However, I will take this opportunity to gather as much information to ensure young people in Fiji are able to actively participate and voice their concerns at the United Nations.
As a delegate from Fiji, representing the Youth of my country, I feel that it is my role to become the voice of young people in Fiji, especially for those disadvantaged young women and youth at risk who are greatly challenged by the circumstances that are excess bated by our nation being a small island state. I believe that it is also my duty to shed light down the darkened hallway of a lot of lives. I may not have lived too many years on earth but my journey hasn’t always been a smooth sail. So I intend to do my country and the world proud with the help of other young people.
This opportunity first knocked upon my door at the beginning of September. I got my hands on every detailed reading material that I could and began the task of reading all that I could. When time permitted me to, I spoke to as many young people I could and together with my family, committed all these plans into the Lord’s hands.
I normally use every opportunity I get to help others see the light at the end of the tunnel and I feel that this is a fine opportunity to do so. Taking a good look at the top 10 priority list of things that concern young people, I believe that I major around the areas that deal with the individuals’ personal life and family ties. Issues like Education, Employment, and Drug abuse, Juvenile delinquency, leisure-time activities and Decision making are those that I feel will be my areas of interest. It is sad to say that all these branches of problems find its roots in the family unit.
I expect to be heard. I intend to make an achievement of being heard by parents, leaders and the world. I will participate in all the activities and in any decision making that will be conducted and I’ll make it my personal goal to achieve the best I can for the benefit of every other “youth” that is depending on me to carry their voice and be heard. On a lower note, it is my aim to meet a lot of different people from colorful background and have fun learning new ideas with others.
Someone said that “If you want the job done well, do it yourself” and rightfully so. If we want the best for our young people and if we want them to learn the art of living in happiness and the secret to success than we will do it ourselves. It is only best to trigger the minds of the youth so that the best ideas and the best resolutions can be brought about. It is the youth that walks that road daily, and together, their young experience and the matured decisions that will be made after much discussion is the best result.
The less developed countries are a good area to pick up young people who can express a lot about the things that trouble them the most. However, their biggest obstacle will be the skill to communicate and convey their heart felt troubles to the world and the finances to meet the expenses. But, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Therefore there has to be a way to meet these problems. Finance can be taken care of by aid sponsors. Government organizations can hold workshops to teach young people the skills that they need. If these workshops are being conducted (like in Fiji), it has to be promoted and made known to young people,
As it is, I do a lot of speaking to young people at schools, churches, youth meetings and on a personal level. It will not be an extra duty on my dish to tell young people of the wonders that the world holds for them. It will be an honor to share this blessed experience with young people who are in dieing need for the spirit of enthusiasm in their lives.
Adam Axelsson , Sweden
Tell us about yourself (where do you live, your age, studies, work, hobbies, are you a member of a youth organization, etc.)
Hey! My name is Adam Axelsson, a 25 year old Peace and Conflict Science student living in Malmo Sweden. Apart from studies and organizational work I enjoy playing football, read, travel and hang out with friends. My hobbies are politics, news and design. My core organizational engagement, and where I spend a lot of my time, is in CISV (Children’s’ International Summer Villages, http://www.cisv.org) where I’m active on the local, national and international level.
How were you selected as a youth delegate?
In Sweden the national council of youth organizations (LSU) selects the national youth representative to the GA from almost 100 member organizations who nominate their candidates.
What has been the history in your country of the inclusion of youth representatives in official delegations to the General Assembly and/or other international meetings?
Sweden has sent a Youth Representative to the GA since 1999 on a regular basis. Apart from that we also send Youth Representatives to other international meetings, i.e. Commission for Social Development.
What have your tasks been in New York? What issues did you work on?
My work here is basically 3 fold. Mainly I follow the process in the 3rd committee related to youth and try to advocate the agenda I represent towards that process in as many ways as possible. Secondly, I work together with the other Youth Representatives in common activities also focusing on advocating for youth involvement in decision-making and programme implementation. Last, but sure not least, I spend a lot of time and effort trying to learn as much about the broad agenda of the UN as possible and to understand how things happen and why things happen in that manner.
What is it like to be a youth delegate?
Being a Youth Representative from Sweden is an amazing experience in every way. The back-up I’ve received from my National Youth Council and from the Swedish Government has helped my feel prepared and comfortable here in New York, allowing me to work focused and relaxed, aiming at the topics relevant for me and my task. All in all, being a Youth Rep is hectic, challenging, confusing, learning, developing, fun… an awesome experience.
What do you think is the added value of youth delegates to the General Assembly process?
This is a tough question to answer. And a question that I have, together with the team of Youth Representatives, have thought about a lot. It’s very clear for us all that the involvement of Youth Representatives is important due to the work we can do while back in our countries. Well back we can and will inform the youth of our countries of how they can work with, towards and through the UN, and motivate them to do so. But to answer the question of what we can add to the GA; as we are a link from the UN to the Young Civil Society we can also be a link the other way, from the Young Civil Society to the UN – adding value in forms of engagement, critical thinking and expert knowledge on some topics. We inform governments and UN bodies and agencies about the Youth situation in our countries and share thought and insight about what constructive work is being done and what could be done better. Also, it is clear to me that we, in many cases, act as a much-needed strong link between the Young Civil Society and our respective governments. Through a strengthening of this link information is also made possible for Youth Organizations on how and through what documents they can put pressure on their governments to back up the fine words spoken in New York.
How can youth organizations and/or governments from developed countries increase UNGA youth participation from the lesser and least developed countries?
As it is today, the situation a far from optimal, 85% of the world's youth live in developing countries and only 3 out of 11 countries sending a Youth Representative is from a developing country. The work that has to be done has to be done on many fronts simultaneously. Here at the GA we the Youth Reps can strongly advocate the cause of having Youth Reps and share information on how countries can overcome obstacles in place due to lack of structures and/or financial means. Also here at the GA we can engage in a debate with the countries that today see no reason for including a Youth Representative in the national delegation. An other front would be back home in our respective countries where we can 1st) advocate our governments to support a broader participation financially and for them to support an overall advancement of international youth politics, 2nd) raise money and include them in a bilateral cooperation project that includes a person from a developing country attending the GA, and 3rd), engage in a bilateral project where we can support the strengthening of youth organizations in developing countries to empower them to advocate their governments.
How will you share your experience with others when you return to your country?
My assignment from my national youth council is a one-year-project. Coming to New York and GA is in the very start of this year, meaning that most of my work will be done back home until and during my successor has been selected. Mainly and foremost, as mentioned in question 6, I will hold workshops and seminars to youth in Sweden either through their organizational involvement or through public events about UN related topics. Also, I will continue to work with my national youth council making sure that all the things I’ve been privileged to learn here doesn’t stop in me. Thirdly I’m sure that the experience gained here in New York will lead me onto new paths where my knowledge will be required and appreciated. Fourthly, the handing over to my successor is of importance making sure that we don’t reinvent the wheel every year but so that the next person can pick up from where I left off as I’ve do to the youth that has paved they way for me and my colleges this year. Last, as next year is an very important year for UN Youth Policies good, constructive and easy access is necessary since hopefully next ear a lot of countries will send a Youth Representative for the first time.
For more info, you can contact Adam at: adam.axelsson@lsu.se
Maurus Achermann, Switzerland
Tell us about yourself
Since one year I’m living in a small bilingual town in the western part of Switzerland nearby Geneva. I’m studying political science, my special focus is democracy-models and protection of human rights. Since a long time I’m interested in political issues - especially in international affairs and environmental politics. I’m member of a left youth party, where we fight since a long time for everybody’s equal access to good higher education. In summertime I’m working for the Red Cross Youth, where we have every year an huge international camp: Here we bring together young volunteers from all over the world to share experience from their Red Cross work and to discuss strategies for peaceful conflict management.
How were you selected as a youth delegate?
The national youth council from Switzerland has chosen a team of five young people out a 300 applicants. Before the members of the team got selected, some applicants had to pass an interview. In this team of five people we got a solid formation at the UN-headquarter in Geneva and in the ministry of foreign affairs. To make UN-work better known among young people in our country we’ve drawn out different parallel-projects. Later on in the year we had to decide ourselves in the team, who will be our representative in New York – and that was me.
What has been the history in your country of the inclusion of youth representatives in official delegations to the General Assembly?
The first Swiss Youth Representative was Karolina Frischkopf last year. In 2004, it’s the first time we have a team: The idea behind it is, to come up with our own visions, to prepare the work for the UN-General Assembly together and to organize parallel projects to sensitize domestic youth about the work of the UN. The youth council works hard to continue the Swiss youth rep-project in that way.
What have your tasks been in New York? What issues did you work on?
As Swiss Youth Rep I was at the UN in New York for 6 days. In this time I met state-delegates in the third committee, people from the Swiss Mission, from the UN-focal point on youth and all the other youth reps. I took the occasion to lobby for a broader involvement of youth through personal discussions, by distributing our statement and of course in our side-event. As having a youth rep is new for Switzerland, I was talking to many different people about the importance of including youth directly in decision-making processes, and about the main-priorities of my team: we like to strengthen democratic structures, to focus on sustainable development and to invest into education. And then of course I was in New York to make contacts and to learn about the processes & contents of the UN-General Assembly.
What was it like to be a youth delegate?
A scary good feeling! But you have to stay realistic and work hard to achieve anything. As Youth Representative you have the chance to meet political key players. That gives you power and shows me that youth matters. Already before going to New York, we met an experienced politician and different diplomats to be in a good informed position. To be the Youth Representative made me interesting to many media, which even gave me the chance to speak on TV about the UN.
What do you think is the added value of youth delegates to the General Assembly process?
Basically the idea is to let youth talk about their needs themselves and not to work out a program for them. Involving the huge under-represented “class” youth gives more legitimization to the GA-process. Maybe Youth Reps are as well a little bit more visionaries and open-minded to find common solutions? They play as well an important role back home to show the importance of UN to young people, what can hardly be done by older people that easy.
How can youth organizations and/or governments from developed countries increase UNGA youth participation from the lesser and least developed countries?
Still many rich countries don’t have any youth reps themselves. First I ask all of them to fill that gap! These Youth Representatives will be the new force to work on a better geographical representation. In the common Youth Rep statement 2004 we ask rich countries to support such efforts from less developed countries financially. And then as well, the experience in the field of youth representation need to be transferred and easily accessible.
How will you share your experience with others when you return to your country?
I’m talking to all kind of media to disseminate my experience. The Swiss Youth Rep Team presents the project on different youth-events and we try to get access to schools to speak about UN. The next task I’ll do is to speak in front of a student’s UN-simulation.
You may contact Maurus for further information via m
