Australia
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Shea Spierings is the Youth Delegate of Australia” alt=”Shea Spierings” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Australia.n.jpg”] Shea Spierings is the Australian Youth Delegate to the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly. Before arriving to New York to attend the UNGA, Shea toured Australia and consulted several thousand young people across the country to identify the key challenges facing young Australians. After consulting youth as the 2015 Australian Youth Delegate, Shea has become primarily concerned with education opportunities in Australia, and the negative social outcomes generated by a lack of access to quality education services. Before becoming the Australian Youth Delegate, Shea had previously spent a number of years working in foreign policy, security, and construction, as well as working in community development roles, youth advocacy, and indigenous engagement initiatives. Shea holds a Bachelor Degree with majors in International Relations, and Peace and Conflict Studies.
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Austria
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Julia Rainer, aged 22, is the Youth Delegate of Austria” alt=”Julia Rainer” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Austria.jpg”] Julia Rainer, aged 22, is the Austrian Youth Delegate. Julia studies law at the University of Vienna and spent one semester on exchange in France. Recently she also finished her Bachelor in International Development.
Julia became involved in the activities of the UN when she was part of the Rio+20 conference in 2012. For years she has been participating in UN simulations and had the possibility to gain valuable experience as a journalist covering UN conferences in Vienna. From the time she worked for one year as a voluntary legal consultant for asylum seekers she has been strongly advocating for refugee issues and is organizing her own projects in that field. Julia’s other special topics as a youth delegate include education and sustainable development.
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Belgium
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Jérôme R. Lechien is one of the two Youth Delegates of Belgium” alt=”Jérôme R. Lechien” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Belgian1.jpg”] Jérôme R. Lechien is one of the two Youth Delegates from Belgium to the United Nations. He is a Medical Doctor, with a postgraduate in language sciences and is completing his doctoral thesis in otolaryngology (PhD). He was involved in student delegations in Belgium, particularly in medical student delegations. He is also president of the French speaking youth council of Belgium and he continues these projects to improve the healthcare access in Belgium in his association (CIUM Medical Students).
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Warda El-Kaddouri is the second of the two Youth Delegates of Belgium” alt=”Warda El-Kaddouri” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Belgian2.jpg”] Warda El-Kaddouri is the second of the two Youth Delegates from Belgian to the United Nations. She holds a Master in German and English literature (Ghent University) and a Master in European Studies (Catholic University of Leuven). During her studies, she spent one semester at the Westphälische Wilhelmuniversität in Münster, Germany. She has worked as a teaching assistant for German literature at Ghent University and as a trainee at the UNESCO Representation to the European Union. Warda is currently working on a PhD on narrative constructions religious identities in Muslim fiction at Ghent University. In February 2015 she was elected as the Flemish UN youth delegate to the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. With the Flemish Youth Council, Warda has worked on a policy paper on youth rights including a case study on youth employment and ethnic discrimination on the labour market, a topic which lies close at the heart of the Council and has been chosen as a thematic priority for the upcoming years.
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Bulgaria
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Anina Yovkova, aged 21, is one of the two Youth Delegates of Bulgaria” alt=”Anina Yovkova” ] Anina Yovkova, aged 21, is one of the two Youth Delegates from Bulgaria to the UN. She is a student of International Relations at University of National and World Economy in Sofia. Her interests are in the field of peace and security, humanitarian issues and human rights. Anina has participated in numerous student conferences, simulations and international exchanges. She has been an active member of the International Relations Research Student Association /IRRSA/ for the last 3 years and she has been chosen as a member of the Managing Board. In 2013 she won first place at student conference ‘the Balkans in the 21st century’ and her essay was later published in International Relations Magazine. In 2014 Anina worked for a project on the Syrian refugee crises in Bulgaria, presenting a report at the European Parliament and the European Commission in Brussels. She also became a United Nations Online Volunteer, joined the international student organization AIESEC and trained other young volunteers in Brazil. In 2015 she did an internship at the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute and wrote articles about Latin America for UNA News Bulgaria. She speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese fluently.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Dimitar Dimitrov, aged 23, is the second of the two Youth Delegates of Bulgaria” alt=”Dimitar Dimitrov” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Bulgaria-1.jpg”] Dimitar Dimitrov, aged 23, is the second of the two Youth Delegates from Bulgaria. He is a Master’s student of International Relations and History at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His academic expertise encompasses the areas of Political Islam, Russian and Eurasian Foreign Policies, and Foreign Policy Analysis. Currently, Dimitar works as an editor and columnist for the online platform for young people “Banitza” which promotes youth dialogue, activism, critical thinking and cosmopolitan values. Previously he has worked as a programme coordinator at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy and the Organisation for Youth Education and Development in Berlin. His tasks there included elaborating and campaigning for youth policies; organising various cultural events; and participating in an International Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Copenhagen. Dimitar has done internships for the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Berlin, the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria and the Centre for the Study of Democracy in Sofia. Apart from youth activities, publishing and informal education, he is also interested in volleyball and trekking. Dimitar is fluent in German and English.
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Denmark
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Phillip Lerer, aged 22, is the Youth Delegate of Denmark” alt=”Phillip Lerer” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Denmark.jpg”] Phillip Lerer, aged 22 is the Youth Delegate of Denmark to the UN General Assembly and a member of the Danish Youth Council (Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd). Since Phillip was 14 he has been deeply engaged in making youth voices heard, especially in the area of education. He has served as a vice President of the Association of Danish School Pupils (Danske Skoleelever) and as president for the Union of Upper Secondary School Students (Danske Gymnasieelevers Sammenslutning). Phillip believes that education and youth engagement is the key to ensuring sustainable development, as well as formalizing the involvement of young people in all relevant fora, from education to civil society
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Finland
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Mikkel Näkkäläjärvi, aged 25, is the Youth Delegate of Finland” alt=”Mikkel Näkkäläjärvi” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Finland.jpg”] Mikkel Näkkäläjärvi, aged 25, is the United Nations Youth Delegate of Finland. Mikkel is a student of Social Sciences at the University of Lapland. Mikkel is from Inari and is Sámi youth. Previously, he worked in the Finnish national student movement and Sámi Youth organisations.  As a Youth Delegate Mikkel has been visiting lots of schools talking about sustainable development and has worked for Equal World which considers young people as future-makers. Mikkel will attend both the High Level Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals and UNGA Third Committee.
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Germany
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Alexander Kauschanski, aged 21, is one of the two Youth Delegates of Germany” alt=”Alexander Kauschanski” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/German-1.jpg”] Alexander Kauschanski, aged 21, is one of the two Youth Delegates from Germany to the United Nations. He was born in the Ukraine and grew up in Germany. He speaks German, English, Russian, Spanish and French. Alexander works as a journalist – his experience includes reporting from the Paralympic Games in London. After finishing high school, he volunteered in Peru as a cultural youth ambassador at educational institutions for the German UNESCO Commission, the ministry of foreign affairs and the Goethe-Institute. Alexander is currently pursuing a degree in political science at the University of Leipzig. He is also involved in supporting people seeking asylum in Germany.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Carina Lange, is the second of the two Youth Delegates of Germany” alt=”Carina Lange” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/German-2.jpg”] Carina Lange, is the second of the two Youth Delegates from Germany to the United Nations. She has recently completed her French-German double diploma in International and European Governance. She has been involved in various local and international youth-related projects. Her term as a board member of a German student’s think tank just ended. Carina participated in several Model United Nations and Model European Unions. She is an active member of the Young European Federalists (JEF), believing that today’s complex international challenges cannot be tackled by the steep national means of today. As a Youth Delegate she wants to transmit her passion for social commitment to others, convinced that everybody is able to do something that makes our world a better one.
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Georgia
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Mariam Sikharulidze, aged 24, is the Youth Delegate of Georgia” alt=”Mariam Sikharulidze” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Georgia.jpg”] Mariam Sikharulidze, aged 24, is Georgia’s first female UN Youth Delegate, representing Georgia in the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mariam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Media and Communications (Prague, Czech Republic), and  Masters in Communication and Mass Media (Erasmus University, Rotterdam). She has worked for an environmental NGO and advocated for environmental causes in Georgia, including on Climate Change, Preserving Biodiversity, and Waste Management. She has also worked as a freelance writer for an English-language newspaper ‘Georgia Today’.  More recently, Mariam has worked as Communication Assistant and Youth Communications Focal Point  for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office in Georgia, gaining deep insight and first-hand information on youth-related issues including: gender imbalances and inequality, child marriage, HIV prevention, reproductive health and rights of youth. She led and coordinated the Regional Advocacy Campaign “Youth Voice” at the national level, which ended in September 2015.
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Ireland
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Orla Murphy, aged 23, is one of the two Youth Delegates of Ireland” alt=”Orla Murphy” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Ireland-2.jpg”] Orla Murphy, aged 23, is one of two Youth Delegates in Ireland’s first ever Youth Delegation to the United Nations.  Orla has been a member of the Irish Red Cross Society since she was ten years old and has represented Ireland internationally on the Irish First Aid Team and as a Youth Delegate and Youth Leader. She is also a First Aid Instructor, a HIV and AIDS Awareness Instructor, and a Youth on the Run (Refugee Simulation) Leader. Orla is the Youth Officer for her local Red Cross Branch and has served as the inaugural Youth Representative on the Irish Red Cross International Advisory Group since 2012. Orla is a three-time graduate of University College Cork, initially completing her B.A. in English and Politics in 2012. In 2009 she presented a paper to the Irish Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform advocating that the voting age be lowered to sixteen. Orla also participated in the Model United Nations Conferences in Cambridge, Cork, Harvard, Mainz, and Oxford Universities. In 2013 she graduated with a Master’s in International Public Policy and Diplomacy, with a focus on international human rights law, migration, and refugee law.

Orla hopes that in honour of Ireland’s 60th anniversary of joining the U.N. and in light of current global challenges, Irish young people will become actively engaged with their Youth Delegates to create lasting change.
[/accordion-item] [/accordion] [accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Eoin O’Liatháin, aged 25, is the second of the two Youth Delegates of Ireland” alt=”Eoin O’Liatháin” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Ireland-1.jpg”] Eoin O’Liatháin, aged 25, is the second of the two Irish Youth Delegates to the UN General Assembly for 2015. Eoin works for Dropbox which has its European HQ in Dublin and considers it an exciting and fast paced role. Before that Eoin graduated from Trinity College Dublin where he was heavily involved in debating, having served as president of the University Philosophical Society. Eoin is also an alumnus of the Washington Ireland Program, a scholarship programme that empowers young leaders in Ireland. Out of this Eoin founded ShoutOut, an organisation that provides workshops to second level schools to help against homophobic and transphobic bullying. The organisation (www.shoutout.ie) is very active and has delivered over 300 workshops across Ireland. Eoin is passionate about social justice, youth issues, and is very proud to be part of the Irish delegation to the UN.
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Israel
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Yarden Holzer, aged 24, is the Youth Delegate of Israel” alt=”Yarden Holzer” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Israel.jpg”] Yarden Holzer, aged 24, is the Israeli Youth Delegate to the 70th United Nations General Assembly. She is nearing completion of a Master degree in International Relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Jewish Studies from McGill University. Yarden has been active in International relations both in the professional and the academic realms, promoting diplomacy and debate for years by leading the Hebrew University’s Model United Nations, partaking in the International Relations Students’ Association of McGill, and by working in public advocacy both in Israel and abroad and at the Israeli Parliament – the Knesset.
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Republic of Korea
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Sungbin Kim, aged 21, is one of the three Youth Delegates of the Republic of Korea” alt=”Sungbin Kim” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Korea1.jpg”] Sungbin Kim, aged 21, from the Republic of Korea, is one of the three Youth Delegates to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. She is currently majoring in International Studies at Yonsei University. She has undertaken an internship at Oxford Humanities Academy, and worked in the secretariat of the 6th Tripartite Health Ministers Meeting, 2014 and 2015 MBN Forum, and 2014 YNEAN Northeast Asian Network. Her interest lies in human rights and regional development, and she has participated in various projects and activities revolving around youth and children. She has worked in the Research and Education team of UNICEF Champions (UNICEF University Volunteering Group), and is working as a mentor at Yonsei University and Seongbuk-gu Youth Parliament. With the other two Youth Delegates of Republic of Korea, she plans to discuss the issues of social development and Sustainable Development Goals.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Moon Sun Cho, aged 19, is the second of the three Youth Delegates of the Republic of Korea” alt=”Moon Sun Cho” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Korea-2-.jpg”] Moon Sun Cho, aged 19, is the second of the three Youth Delegates from the Republic of Korea to the 70th United Nations General Assembly. She is undertaking a Bachelor degree in Social Welfare at Yonsei University, Republic of Korea as a full scholarship student.  Her main interests lie in poverty reduction, education, gender equality, and international law.

As a member of monitoring group under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in Korea, she monitored human rights conditions and carried out consultations on youth policies.  She also undertook an internship with Scientists and Engineers without Borders, after which she founded a volunteer organization named Byuruemnarae, which provides free tutoring, scholarship, and books for underprivileged children in the world. In establishing Dalhae’s Books, she has published storybooks aimed at developing countries, and donated school supplies to decrease illiteracy rates. She also participated in the World Education Forum 2015 as a delegate of the United Nations Population Fund. Based on her numerous efforts for eradicating poverty and discrimination based on one’s background, she won various awards, including Korea’s Promising Future Leaders Award. As the Korean Youth Delegate, she will especially focus on education for the eradication of poverty.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Seul-A Lee, aged 19, is the third of the three Youth Delegates of the Republic of Korea” alt=”Seul-A Lee” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Korea3.jpg”] Seul-A Lee, aged 19, is the youngest Korean Youth Delegate to the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Seul-A is a freshman student of Hansung University in Korea, and she’s majoring in English Language & Literature. Seul-A has been dreaming to become an international civil servant since she was an elementary school student. She has a profound interest in all sectors of global issues, but she is mostly interested in environment and the Green Economy. She worked as the first editor-in-chief in her middle school’s English newspaper and wrote international news for 2 years. She was selected as an Environment Scholarship Student for the Korea Environmental Education Association in 2013. In the 5th Youth Mock World Congress held by Seoul Metropolitan City and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, she performed the role of the Mayor of New York City and introduced the new environmental policy, ‘Green Generating Governance’ to the public. In 2014, Seul-A was selected as a Youth Public Diplomat by the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea and Yonhap News Agency, and promoted Korean culture to foreigners. This summer, she was part of the National Assembly 5th Undergraduate Climate Change Academy and at the Model United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21 held by National Assembly of Republic of Korea, she was the leader of LDC and performed a role of a delegate of Bangladesh. Furthermore, she participated in 2015 Korea-ASEAN Youth Network Workshop held in Korea and Indonesia, under the slogan ‘Youth in the forefront of forest conservation’. Seul-A is highly honored to participate in the 70th UN General Assembly on behalf of Korean Youth and is looking forward to meeting and interacting with other Youth Delegates from all around the world.
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Mexico
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Regina Arauz, is one of the four Youth Delegates of Mexico” alt=”Regina Arauz” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Mexico1.jpg”] Regina Arauz, is the first of the four Mexican UN Youth Delegates to the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly. She is currently studying two Majors: International Relations and Law, in the Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education IITESO). As a UN enthusiast, Regina has had the opportunity to participate in several conventions and activities related to the United Nations, such as World Youth Alliance’s Trainee Program on UN matters, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and diverse meetings with UN agencies such as UNDP and UN-HABITAT. She recently represented a Mexican NGO in the United Nations 59th Commission on the Status of Women, and has worked in the Governor’s International Affairs Office within her State. As part of her commitment to fellow students and teachers, Regina has served as a student council in the university she attends. In her sparetime, Regina likes to write, she has published two poetry books, and her third one is due in December.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Julene Landáburu, age 21, is the second of the four Youth Delegates of Mexico” alt=”Julene Landáburu” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Mexico2.jpg”] Julene Landáburu, age 21, is the second of the four UN Youth Delegates representing Mexico at the 70th United Nations General Assembly. She is currently pursuing a degree in International Relations at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City. Over the years, she has demonstrated her interest in diplomacy, human rights, migration, and development. She is part of the organization of her University’s Model United Nations, and has always sought to get involved in various extracurricular activities. This is her second year as a member of the hosting committee in charge of welcoming exchange students to her University. Julene is also involved in community service at the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights in the office for internally displaced persons. Additionally, she has worked as a consultant for the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute. She feels honored to have the opportunity to represent her country, and to be able to participate in the UNGA with other nations.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Montserrat Pérez, aged 20, is the third of the four Youth Delegates of Mexico” alt=”Montserrat Pérez” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Mexico3.jpg”] Montserrat Pérez, aged 20, is the third of the four Youth Delegates from Mexico to the UN General Assembly. She speaks Spanish, English and French. She studies Law at the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), and Political Sciences and Public Administration at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Montserrat won a specialty scholarship for her studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey after winning a contest organized by the same university. She worked at the Human Rights Research and Capacitation Institute of one of the federal entities’ Human Rights commission, and ever since, she has been interested in civil and political rights.  Montserrat participated in several Model UN events, one of them hosted by Harvard University, and recently in a G20 simulation. Montserrat is currently working on the consolidation of an NGO that works on the promotion of political rights, the empowerment of citizens, and the strengthening of the mechanisms that citizens have at their disposal for political participation.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Susana Itzel Hernández Guerrero, is the last of the four Youth Delegates of Mexico” alt=”Susana Itzel Hernández Guerrero” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Mexico-4.jpg”] Susana Itzel Hernández Guerrero, is one of the Mexican Youth Delegates for the 70th session of the General Assembly. Susana studies Law in Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and has special interest on human rights and international law. She speaks Spanish, English and German.  Recently, she worked as volunteer in human rights programs providing legal assessment to vulnerable groups in cooperation with civil society organizations. Susana has experience in Human Rights Inter- American System competitions and in United Nations Models. She has collaborated in human rights and international law forums from university students. She believes that civil society and youth must collaborate with the governments for getting better policies.
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Morocco
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=” Nada Berrada is one of the five Youth Delegates of Morocco” alt=”Nada Berrada” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Nada_Berrada1.jpg”] Nada Berrada is one of the five Youth Delegates from Morocco to the United Nations. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech. In parallel, she works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Political Science Department at Virginia Tech. Nada holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science and Economics from EGE Rabat School of Governance and Economics where she was awarded the prize of the best academic trajectory. In addition to being AIESEC alumni, Coca-Cola MENA Scholar and an active member of the Cultural Innovators Network, Nada acquired interdisciplinary experience working at The Coca-Cola Company HQ, German Marshall Fund, UNDP and Foundation Orient Occident. Her commitment to international development is driven by her passion to help others and belief in the power of youth. Nada volunteered in several civil society organizations and was selected to attend multicultural conferences and youth entrepreneurship programs in South Korea, Turkey, Netherlands, France, USA, Tunisia, Greece and Bulgaria.  Being a Youth Delegate is an opportunity to contribute a small share to youth participation in the domain of diplomacy and politics and further her commitment to international development.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Bassam Chekrane is the second of the five Youth Delegates of Morocco” alt=”Bassam Chekrane” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Bassam_Chekrane1.jpg”] Bassam Chekrane is a Moroccan Youth Delegate to the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. He is currently pursuing his Dual Master’s Degree in World Economy in Panthéon-Sorbonne (France) and Fudan University (China). Bassam started his involvement by organizing political seminars and conferences in Rabat School of Governance and Economics, where he pursued his Bachelor and developed a strong interest in diplomacy. He then became the Secretary-Genearl of the diplomacy club of his school. He also represented Morocco in the New York Model United Nations and many other events and contributed to the organization of different workshops and seminars in the field of diplomacy.  In 2014, Bassam was nominated as the counselor of the Moroccan Young Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in the Moroccan Youth Government Association. During his exchange year in Sciences Po Paris, Bassam integrated into the Moroccan Association “Des Grandes Ecoles” as an event manager, where he organized several conferences with very influential French and Moroccan leaders. Today, he is focused on international economics and hopes that representing his country in the UN can help him better understand world challenges and contribute to Moroccan Youth’s involvement in diplomacy.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Mariam El Atouabi is the third of the five Youth Delegates of Morocco” alt=”Mariam El Atouabi” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Mariam_Elatoubi1.png”] Mariam El Atouabi is one of the Youth Delegates from Morocco to the United Nations. She is a Graduate student from Sciences Po Rabat, where she studies MENA Region geopolitics and Global Security. Mariam is currently writing for different blogs (Huffington Post Maghreb, Global Diplomacy, Georgetown University U.S-Middle East Journal) on issues related to the political challenges that are faced in the Middle East as well as on the United-States foreign policy on the region. She has previously worked in Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as a in a Consulting Group in the field of economics and sustainable development. Mariam has been involved in youth organizations such as AIESEC and has participated to model United-Nations and Arab League, in New-York and Washington D.C.. She is currently working with a new Morocco-based Think Tank aiming to be a medium between the civil society, the private sector and the political arena in Morocco, whilst involving the young generation in the process.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Sofiane Kadmiri is the fourth of the five Youth Delegates of Morocco” alt=”Sofiane Kadmiri” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Sofiane_Kadmiri1.jpg”] Sofiane Kadmiri is one of the Moroccan Youth Delegates to the UN General Assembly. He holds a French Baccalaureate from Lycée Lyautey in Casablanca, and is currently a student at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. He conducted a year at SciencesPo Paris and is specialized in International Relations and in African studies. Professionally, he is currently a counselor in charge of international cooperation at the Young Ministry of Industry and Trade in the Moroccan Young Parallel Government. He had previously completed an internship at the Embassy of Morocco in Iraq and working on issues related to inter-religious dialogue. Sofiane thinks that youth involvement in politics is critical to addressing issues of Human Development in Africa and in the MENA Region.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Mohamed Hachim Wafdi, aged 21, is the last of the five Youth Delegates of Morocco” alt=”Mohamed Hachim Wafdi” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Hachim_Wafdi1.jpg”] Mohamed Hachim Wafdi, aged 21, is one of the Youth Delegates from Morocco to the UN General Assembly. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International and Economic Studies following an undergraduate degree in Political, Economic and Social Sciences and a year abroad at the University of Sussex, UK. Since the age of 16, he has been a very active member in civil society working for different organizations but also serving on the boards of several societies and the students’ union at EGE Rabat School of Governance and Economics. Mohamed Hachim also took part in a number of MUNs such as the New York National Model United Nations in 2014. As a global economic issues and development enthusiast, he also worked as an intern for Ernst & Young and the Moroccan Authority of Capital Markets. His interests lie in the field of international economics, sustainable development, poverty eradication policies and entrepreneurship.
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Netherlands
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=” Saya Abdullah is the Youth Delegate of the Netherlands” alt=”Saya Abdullah”] Saya Abdullah is the Youth Delegate of the Netherlands to the United Nations 70th General Assembly. Saya studies medicine at the University of Utrecht. As part of a clinical clerkship regarding social medicine and global health, Saya visited refugee camps in Iraq and conducted research on the healthcare status of refugees. Inspired by his field experience, he applied to become a Youth Delegate. Saya is passionate about the humanitarian issue of refugees. Motivated by his own background and field experience he tries to inspire and activate the young people of the Netherlands to respond actively to the current humanitarian situation. Saya visited the United Nations 53th Commission for Social Development and the Economic and Social Council Youth Forum in 2015.
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Norway
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Inga Marie Nymo Riseth, aged 24, is the one of two Youth Delegates of Norway” alt=”Inga Marie Nymo Riseth” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Norway.jpg”] Inga Marie Nymo Riseth, aged 24, is one out of two Norwegian Youth Delegates to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Currently she is the political vice president of the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH), Norway’s largest student movement for international solidarity. She holds a bachelor degree in International Environment and Development Studies, and has completed one year of her Master degrees in Human Rights at the University of Oslo.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Erling Laugsand, aged 26, is the second of the two Youth Delegates of Norway” alt=”Erling Laugsand” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Norway-2.jpg”] Erling Laugsand, aged 26, is one of the two Norwegian Youth Delegates to the United Nations. He currently holds the position as president of the Centre Party Youth, which is a political youth party in Norway. Through this position he also serves on the board of one of the major political parties in Norway, the Centre Party. Before he became engaged full time in politics he studied industrial economics and technology management at the Norwegian university of science and technology. He is especially interested in human rights and the situation for human rights defenders, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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Panama
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=” Deyra Caballero, aged 21, is one of  two Youth Delegates of Panama” alt=”Deyra Caballero” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Panama.jpg”] Deyra Caballero, aged 21, is one of the first Panamanian Youth Delegates in the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. She is currently in her second year studying International Relations in the University of Panama, and Vice-president of the Student Association. Deyra has travelled throughout South America, and lived in Chile, Argentina and Brazil. During secondary school, she participated in many debate conferences, including simulations of the OAS and the UN. In this year’s Summit of the Americas, Deyra worked for the Ministry of Foreign Relations as liaison for the Canadian Delegation, and participated as a Youth Delegate in the IV Young Americas Forum. In 2014, Deyra volunteered at the UN World Food Programme office based in Panama.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Eloy Enrique Núñez, aged 25, is the second of two Youth Delegates of Panama” alt=”Eloy Enrique Núñez” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Panama-2.jpg”] Eloy Enrique Núñez, aged 25, is the second Panamanian Youth Delegate to the 70th Session of the United Nations. He is a sixth year student at the School of Medicine and Surgery at Columbus University, where he also served as secretary of Student Affairs for the Association of Medical Students and was part of the Committee on Science and Research. He has won major national speech competitions and represented Panama in international events. He was vice president of the National Assembly of Youth Representatives of Panama, later becoming secretary of the organization. He has participated and provided support to medical tours and humanitarian services. He lectures on HIV and AIDS issues to young people in his country and has promoted scientific research projects on issues related to HIV and AIDS. In 2009 he was awarded the Guillermo Andreve Medal by the Ministry of Education and the Presidency of the Republic of Panama.
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Peru
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Martin Gallardo is the Youth Delegate of Peru” alt=”Martin Gallardo” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Peru.jpg”] Martin Gallardo is the Peruvian Youth Delegate to the 70th session of the General Assembly. He is a senior student at Universidad del Pacífico Law programme, focusing on International Law, International Relations and Human Rights. He is part of the Student Union at his university and has also taken The Hague Academy International Law course at the Peace Palace. He is currently part of Socios Perú, a NGO which focuses on Social Conflicts Mediation and the promotion of Human Rights.

One of his several passions is the Model United Nations, in which he has been involved since the beginning of his career. He is a founder member, Faculty Advisor and Head Delegate of one of the best MUN teams in Perú and the current Latin American MUN champion: Peruvian Debate Society. In his free time he likes to practice Karate.
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Poland
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Joanna Sztandera, aged 22, is one of the two Youth Delegates of the Republic of Poland” alt=”Joanna Sztandera” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Poland1.jpg”] Joanna Sztandera, aged 22, is one of the two Youth Delegates of the Republic of Poland to the 70th UN General Assembly Session. Joanna studies Scots and Spanish Law at the University of Aberdeen and was a recipient of the Stevenson Scholarship during her year abroad at the University of Seville.

She is a volunteer at the Casus Omissus ALP – a student-led law project operating in partnership with the University of Aberdeen, providing legal advice and representation with a view to reducing the existing justice gap in the community. As an active member of a student UN Society, closely connected to UNA-UK, she has taken part in multiple conferences as a chair and delegate. Currently co-organising the Warsaw Latin Convention – an international conference on legal, economic and social aspects of cooperation between Poland and Latin American countries, she has also been involved in voluntary work for Amnesty International and the European Youth Parliament. Topics central to her preparation for the UNGA Third Committee have included equal opportunities in education and employment, the role of social media in active citizenship and implementation of international norms and standards relating disability.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Weronika Szwajda, aged 21, is the second of the two Youth Delegates of the Republic of Poland” alt=”Weronika Szwajda” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Poland21.jpg”] Weronika Szwajda, aged 21, is the second of two Youth Delegates of the Republic of Poland to the 70th UN General Assembly Session. Weronika majors in Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and studied as an Erasmus exchange student at Université Paris VIII Vincennes – Saint-Denis. She was also awarded with Casimir Pulasky Foundation scholarship for participation in AYD program at European Academy of Diplomacy.

She spent two months in Beijing working in an AIESEC international volunteer project as well as an intern in local NGOs. She is a passionate polyglot, who studied more than 10 languages on different level of advancement. Her interests focus on digital diplomacy, women’s empowerment, social entrepreneurship, new technologies and innovation in education and employment. Being a conscious global citizen she conducted many independent photography projects, most recently for a backpacking trip through 13 countries aimed at highlighting socially relevant issues in Iran and Pakistan.
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Portugal
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Joana Branco Lopes is the Youth Delegate of Portugal” alt=”Joana Branco Lopes” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Portugal.jpg”] Joana Branco Lopes is the 2015 Portuguese Youth Delegate to the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. She is currently the President of the National Youth Council and Secretary-General of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries Youth Forum. As the Portuguese UN Youth Delegate, Joana is focusing especially on the empowerment of young people in society at all levels. She believes that a youth forum in the framework of the United Nations is crucial to establish a peaceful and prosperous future for everybody.

Joana has been an active member in the field of youth work and youth leadership for over 15 years, working with youth organisations at home and abroad, including ISCTE-IUL Entrepreneurship Center – Audax, as coordinator of local and social entrepreneurship programs and PAR – Social Responses as a voluntary board member since 2008, as coordinator of the projects bureau in 2008, and the presidency of the board for the 2012-2013 term. Joana was also the project coordinator of the MDGs Youth Agency in partnership with the United Nations Millennium Campaign in Portugal. Joana has also worked as volunteer coordinator and youth trainer in Cape Verde. She is a social entrepreneur, and was a guest lecturer at ISCTE-IUL in the Master Programmes of Social Psychology and Development Studies. Joana obtained her Master of Development Studies from ISCTE-IUL and her Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the Università degli Studi di Pisa (Erasmus Programme).
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Romania
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”David Timis, is one of the two Youth Delegates of Romania” alt=”David Timis” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Romania-1.jpg”] David Timis, is one of the two Youth Delegates representing Romania at the United Nations for the 70h session of the General Assembly and the 54th Commission on Social Development. David studied Business Administration and Management at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom, and European Management at EM Strasbourg in France. He also had the opportunity to receive two consecutive study scholarships in India and China. David was fortunate enough to work and/or volunteer in more than 6 countries from 2 different continents. He was involved with organizations from various fields, from NGOs such as AIESEC, Rotaract or The Red Cross, to intergovernmental organizations such as the Council of Europe, until he found employment in the FMCG industry, initially with Mars in the UK, and more recently with L’Oréal in Romania. David’s most recent employer, before officially becoming a Youth Delegate, was GECAD, one of Romania’s leading venture capital businesses. Outside of work, we can find David at a public speaking gathering or at a networking event, meeting new people and establishing long-lasting connections with them.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Anca Agachi, aged 22, and is the second of the two Youth Delegates of Romania” alt=”Anca Agachi” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Romania-2.jpg”] Anca Agachi, aged 22, and is the second UN Youth Delegate of Romania. Anca holds a Bachelor degree in International Relations and European Studies from the University of Bucharest and is currently pursuing her second Bachelor degree in International Business and Economics, at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. Anca is thankful that each activity she has been involved in has complemented her education and has broadened her understanding of the world. Anca has had the opportunity to study Russian language and culture in Moscow and European Affairs in Brussels. She is a Model United Nations enthusiast, has participated in volunteering activities and has worked as an intern for companies and organizations. Anca is passionate about everything related to international relations and diplomacy, but her true love remains the world of international security.
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Slovenia
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Katja Cimermančič, aged 24, is the Youth Delegate of Slovenia” alt=”Katja Cimermančič” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Slovenia.jpg”] Katja Cimermančič, aged 24, is the Slovenian Youth Delegate for 2015. She graduated in International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana, Slovenia and is currently a postgraduate student of International Relations. Ms Cimermančič is a journalist and a TV presenter for a local TV show for youth and works for Slovenian Business Daily.  She is also the president of the Association for Promotion and Development of International Relation (MEOS) under which the Slovenian international Model United Nations (SiMUN) is carried out.  In 2012 she undertook a traineeship at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union in Brussels; as well as a traineeship in the European Parliament in 2013.

One of her priorities as Youth Delegate is to bring the work of the UN closer to Slovenian youth and to emphasize the importance of youth engagement in decision making processes; She also has a focus on addressing the youth unemployment challenge in the region.
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Sri Lanka

Sweden
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Astrid Gustafsson, age 22, is the Youth Delegate of Sweden” alt=”Astrid Gustafsson” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Sweden.jpg”] Astrid Gustafsson, age 22, is the Swedish Youth Delegate to the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. She studies engineering at Uppsala University where she has also been chair of the University of Uppsala female engineer network, and is speaker of Uppsala Union of Engineering and Science. She was nominated to the commission by the Church of Sweden Youth and was appointed by the National Council of Swedish Youth Organizations. Astrid says that “the world’s youth are in Young people need the right of organizing itself, and the ability to build strong organizations that can influence their environment. If we want a future, we must use a youth policy perspective for building a sustainable future with equitable targets.”
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Switzerland
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”Barbara Wachter, aged 21, is the Youth Delegate of Switzerland” alt=”Barbara Wachter” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Swiss-Youth-Delegate.jpg”] Barbara Wachter, aged 21, is the Swiss UN Youth Delegate. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Law and Farsi at the University of Zurich and is currently working as a tutor for the Persian Language and in the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration. Barbara has been doing volunteer work her whole life. She has been a Scout for 15 years, is involved in a Youth Orchestra and has worked as a mentor with young asylum seekers.  During her mandate as a Swiss UN Youth Delegate, Barbara travelled through Switzerland to speak with young people and to find out their concerns, problems and interests in order to be properly able to represent them at the UNGA. Regularly, the Youth Delegates organize school visits, workshops, study trips to the United Nations Office in Geneva and collaborate with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in order to operate as the youth’s voice. Key priorities for her work as a UN Youth Delegate are gender equality, sustainable development, education and migration.
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Thailand
[accordion clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=” Kanticha Bunvanit is one of the two Youth Delegates of Thailand” alt=”Kanticha Bunvanit” img=”http://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/10/Thailand1.jpg”] Kanticha Bunvanit is one of the two Thai Youth Delegates to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. She graduated with the first-class honor from the Faculty of Political Science, majoring in International Affairs, Thammasat University in Bangkok. In the same year, she also obtained the Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the Faculty of Political Science, Ramkhamhaeng Open University. As part of her study, she did her two-month internship at the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Savannakhet, Lao PDR. Kanticha strongly believes that youth is the next generation who will make change in the world.

Since the age of 12, she has been working as a volunteer for an orphanage, the school of mentality handicapped children and students in the border area of her hometown, Ubonratchathani. She spent a year as an AFS exchange student in France, where she was inspired to study in the field of International Relations and got more involved in youth activities. Once back in Thailand she won the competition on describing the picture in French organized by the “Association of French Teachers in Thailand” and received the reward from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. During the undergraduate year, Kanticha has been involved in a number of academic and student activities at her university and volunteers as a tutor for her faculty activity called “Singhadangsunjorn”. She participated in DISEC Committee at the World Model United Nations (WorldMUN), Australia in 2013 as part of the Thai delegation and staff of Thammasat University Model United Nations (TUMUN). Additionally, she won the exchange scholarship from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea. During her stay, she participated in several youth activities and was also a volunteer staff of the Royal Thai Embassy in Korea on Songkran Day. Currently, Kanticha works at National Security Council, Thailand.
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Ukraine

She did an internship at the Parliament of Republic of Poland working in the commission for local government and regional development. She is currently working as a project manager on issues of regional development. Previous working experience encompasses also work at the international corporation Hewlett-Packard. She is volunteering as a journalist at the polish speaking newspaper issued for ethnic Poles in Ukraine.
She participated in several UN Model conferences, a students’ scientific circle, youth projects, and summits dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable development. Her interests lie within the field of diplomacy, security, youth policies, and sustainability.
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USA