Young People Discuss World Issues at the United Nations

Young People Discuss World Issues at the United Nations

May 30, 2018 · by · in Global Challenges & Solutions

“Peace is expensive, but conflict is even more expensive.” says Miroslav Lajčák, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

There’s a saying that one’s journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. At the United Nations, I feel like this best reflects the crowd. People from all works of life are gathered with a common understanding that to heal we need to unite. Isn’t that just beautiful?

At the Youth Forum, I experienced a few insightful conversations led and moderated by Mr. Sherwin Bryce-Pease, President, United Nations Correspondents Association. It reminded me that we need to do more to ensure that our children have access to quality education. We need to raise our voices and use our platform to impact change.

It felt outstanding to witness impactful young people raising their voices with Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the UN General Assembly. The tables were turned at the United Nations where the youth are talking and others are listening on how to make a peaceful and sustainable world a reality!

Speakers

  • H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the United Nations General Assembly
  • Ms. Ella Okko, a spokesperson for the “Lennons” Peace Ambassador group, a Finnish youth initiative created by Crisis Management Initiative
  • Mr. Leonardo Párraga, Social entrepreneur, Founder of the BogotArt Foundation, and Co-founder of the campaign Cartas por la Reconciliación.

These speakers took the stage and discussed MISSING PEACE: THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN CONFLICT PREVENTION AND SUSTAINING PEACE. The conversation quickly shifted to stress the importance of education.

Education is key, that’s the theme of what I’m hearing. From the president, “the future of our planet depends on us all” — he goes on to explain how all SDG goals (Sustainable Development Goals) are important but the most important one is the SDG goal for Equal Education worldwide, #4 — because, without education, we cannot grow to be better.

 

“Without education we have nothing to add, it’s the stepping stone for everything else.” says Miroslav Lajčák, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Speakers Kelly Lovell and Jay Hammonds made great points on youth dialogue, education, and action! Jay gave great advice on amplifying one’s voice and he stressed that “if you’re building a bridge, make sure others can walk on it too.” Kelly spoke beautifully on passion, persistence, and patience.

“Access and quality education is a right and a privilege. We are a by-product of education and each and every one of us who is here today has benefited because of education.” @MohamedSidibay2#Youth72#YouthDialogue

“Let us come together and be part of the solution,” said Ms. Safaath Ahmed Zahir, Founder of Women and Democracy. #youth72@safaathahmed@women_democracypic.twitter.com/LCfSzcp3Yg

Hearing these speakers tell us all these things was very powerful, but being able to see the conditions with your own eyes can really bring this information to life. I was able to spend some time at the SDG Media Zone where they set up VR headsets with videos from different parts of the world and it’s as if you’re being guided by a local about what their town is like.

I choose a video where I saw a piece of a small African town and learned about the importance of Growing a Great Green Wonder from a 14-year-old Senegalese girl in Sahel. She showed me her village and how they’re learning new agriculture methods to combat desertification, hunger, joblessness, migration, and extremism in the region. 

Learn more about United Nations for Youth here

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