Young people lead the UN’s future summit

Dozens of young people from all over the world thronged the hall General Assembly The UN will attend the start of two “action days” ahead of a future summit that begins Sunday.

Felipe Polier, First Under-Secretary-General for Youth Affairs of the United Nations, briefed the summit. A unique opportunity to reshape the multilateral system And put youth at its center.

Prepare the land

“Ten years ago, a day like today would have been unimaginable: a day dedicated to youth in an official United Nations program,” he said.

“The day this House approves any agenda – gender, climate, peace and security, sustainable development or human rights – The youth agenda is a cross-cutting component».

Youth are “decisive in shaping the landscape” in preparation for the summit, says a Kenyan social advocate and UN chief for children and youth. Terry Oteo, a member of Major’s team, said.

Model the future

Leaders are expected to agree to a deal for the future Includes sustainable development and its financing; peace and security; Science, Technology and Innovation; Youth and future generations and the transformation of global governance.

A Digital Global Compact and Declaration on Future Generations will be incorporated.

Areej, a young activist, pointed out that decisions taken today will affect children born in a few years.

“What we do now will shape your world, whether it’s defined by conflict, poverty and fear, or hope, security and opportunity,” he said. “We must ask ourselves: Are we ready to act so that all children can thrive?».

“Code” against youth

UN Young people believe their participation in affairs is “significant,” according to a survey conducted live in the room before a conversation. General Secretary Antonio Gutierrez.

Caleb Brathwaite, president of the Barbados Youth Development Council, was not surprised by the results, recalling the Secretary-General’s recent remark that the current multilateral system was “built by our grandparents.”

He feared the deal for the future was “just a deal”.and called for action, including the creation of branches of the UN Youth Office around the world.

He urged the youth to “hold our governments to the fire” to ensure the implementation of the chapter of the agreement dedicated to youth and future generations.

Listen to the youth

“The most insidious thing about coding is that our stories are shared with others, but they don’t really help us act,” says activist and youth organizer Daphne Frias.

«Our voices fill the rooms, but fall on silent ears».

Daphne said it’s time to listen to her generation. He noted that young people not only face barriers when engaging with the UN, but also face barriers when seeking employment in the global system based on education, language and other requirements.

Committed to reform

The secretary-general noted that there is now “a willingness to listen to young people and create some mechanisms”, adding that “more needs to be done”.

Youth should participate in decision-making processes Many reforms need to be implemented“Not easy” in an intergovernmental organization like the UN, he said.

Guterres said he would affirm youth, civil society and others Actors can participate in decision-making processes This is a central feature of future summits and proposed reforms.

“This is the task to which our office must now devote itself most strongly,” he said, expressing his full commitment to days of negotiation and consensus.