Greetings to everyone at UNICEF’s fantastic Youth Summit in Dublin Castle!

I especially welcome the six ‘Unite4Climate ambassadors’ from UNICEF Zambia. 

Right now, the United Nations has three priorities for the future of our world:

To reach the Millennium Development Goals – history’s greatest antipoverty campaign.

To shape a bold new agenda for sustainable development.

And to reach a meaningful legal climate agreement.

UNICEF Ireland’s “It’s About Us” campaign proves the transformative power of youth.
My mission is to ensure every voice is heard. You have worked hard for over a year and learned a great deal about the Millenium Development Goals. You have also worked closely with UNICEF to come up with some major recommendations.

You are also helping to shape the priorities for the post 2015 sustainable development agenda - and I appreciate your strong support. 

When so many children are being caught up in terrible conflicts you provide hope that there can be a better, safer and environmentally sustainable world for all children.

The ideas you generate today, along with the results of a poll of nearly one thousand students across Ireland, will contribute to our success.

Thank you for your commitment – and for spreading your ideas through the power of social media. You have learned how to use technology to spread your ideas across Ireland and beyond.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has agreed to bring your recommendations to the United Nations General Assembly later this month so we can share them with other leaders.

I am confident the Dublin Castle Youth Summit will be a great success and thank you for your ideas, energy and enthusiasm!