Welcome to the United Nations
On the 12th of June 2024, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, a side event for COSP17 was held on "The intergenerational transfer of knowledge towards an inclusive future – A tribute to Steven Estey." The event brought together youth leaders from the disability community, representatives from States Parties, and the United Nations (UN) Youth Office to discuss changing the current approach to supporting youth leadership towards a more inclusive future with youth leaders at the forefront. The side event also featured a touching tribute to the pioneering work of Steven Estey in the youth movement.
Co-hosted by the Government of Canada and the Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN, presentations showcased the foundational work done to develop and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the innovative approaches emerging within the youth disability community to build towards a more inclusive future.
Canadian youth representatives, Isai Estey and Nicole Flynn, shared the importance of youth involvement in domestic and international discussions in order to continue the momentum to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, and to ensure the voice of all persons with disabilities are heard. Young persons with disabilities are leading the change and demanding a seat at the table. They called on governments, the UN and the disability community to increase efforts to foster this leadership and ensure youth leaders are equipped to grab the baton and continue the journey forged by the hard work and dedication of their predecessors.
Audience members shared personal memories of Steven. His ability to bring youth to the table to connect, communicate and collaborate, illustrates the key components needed to ensure space at the table is created to give youth leaders the opportunity to learn, share and create an inclusive future.
For more information about the conference, please visit: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/cosp/17th-session-of-the-conference-of-states-parties-to-the-crpd-cosp17
Source: Permanent Mission of Canada