6 May 2024 - In mid-April, the UN halls were host to a space where there was a clear convergence of aspirations and concerns between young people and Member States, each contributing their own expertise to advancing the 2030 Agenda.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, held from 16 to 18 April 2024, served as a vital platform for young minds to engage with each other and engage with Member States. Over three days, hundreds of participants made appeals on issues that are of grave concern to them such as climate change, increasing inequality and multiple conflicts.
The stark realities were laid bare by the President of ECOSOC Paula Narváez, who stressed that incorporating young perspectives is essential to fighting the escalating battle against poverty. “We know that poverty seriously limits the prospects for development of our young people, thus perpetuating the cycle,” she said. “We have to do more for our young people, and part of the response is including them in public decisions.”
Young participants responded to the call, with no shortage of expertise on issues closest to their hearts. “I’m honoured to represent my work in the refugee and asylum-seeker community. I believe building a better future requires those in power to lead by example. I’d like to tell world leaders to do even more for refugees and asylum-seekers with their education, language learning and integration into their new local communities,” said Abobakar, a youth from Afghanistan and panelist during the Forum.
The Forum also convened Youth Delegates representing their Member States as part of UN DESA’s Youth Delegate Programme. The Delegates had the opportunity to expand their professional network among each other and with a special meeting with Ms. Paula Narváez, President of ECOSOC and Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
Speaking about his experience, Mohammad Naeem, Youth Delegate from Ireland said, “The most valuable part of my experience is coming from a marginalized community back in Ireland, showing young people that look like me, a person of colour from Ireland, how diverse my country is and how they can come to the international stage.”
Unprecedented diversity was also reflected in the deliberations, bringing vital viewpoints to the top of the agenda. Mitzy, an Indigenous youth from Mexico stated that “When asked how I imagine the future, I think that the future is Indigenous. The future must be one where we maintain our relationships with the land, where no people are oppressed, where no history is silenced.”
The Forum also featured a session on the Summit of the Future, during which young participants had the opportunity to contribute to consultations ahead of the Summit in September.
As the Forum drew to a close, a resounding call to action echoed among participants. While the global gathering has concluded, expertise and dedication of young participants to shape a better future is contagious.
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