I had the chance to attend the High level meeting on youth at the United Nations Headquarters in NYC on July, 25 and 26, as an observer for the GiveOneProject association.
The meeting has been launched by M. Ban Ki Moon in front of the policy makers and minister of youth from all over the world. He urged the leaders from all over the world to let the youth people to be a real part of the society and the government.
My opinion
The international south african model, Alek Weck was one of the keynote during the opening session. She was very inspiring when she shared her hard story about living the civil war, leave her country, her father’s death and told the crowd that he always said : “If you believe in something, you have to follow it all the way through”. What was new from the politicians ? Almost nothing. In fact, they were able to sing the same song about how young people are important, but time is to act…
When the government will let the young people express themselves, then change will be completely possible. They might think that as we are young, we can not have some good and serious ideas. It is obvious that each citizen in a society has the right to give its opinion and be heard. This is some ideas very powerful from guests at the side events : “I am a citizen, I can participate and make a change”, “ there is nothing about you without us, there is nothing about young people without people participation”, “use the technology to share our knowledge, be creative”, “have faith on your own capacity”…
In my point of view, communication, unity and leadership are the keys. Do not forget that “ Leaders are also good followers” as said Kofi Annan.
Be a part of GiveOneProject, it is a great opportunity to receive the skills to be a young leader and learn how to be engaged in my community.
To summarize, it was an amazing experience to participate in this meeting and it strenghthened my old idea that the young people are the heart, the present of a society. If you want change you have to make it happen and do not except for the government.
I truly believe in young people and I know that we all have the power, by working together, to make the world better.
The High Level Meeting on Youth took place from 25 to 26 July 2011 at the General Assembly, United Nations Headquarters in New York. The High-Level Meeting comprised two consecutive informal interactive thematic panel discussions on 25 July 2011 and two plenary meetings on 26 July 2011. The thematic panel discussions was chaired by Member States at the invitation of the President of the General Assembly and addressed the following themes:
- Thematic panel discussion 1: Strengthening international cooperation regarding youth and enhancing dialogue, mutual understanding and active youth participation as indispensable elements towards achieving social integration, full employment and the eradication of poverty;
- Thematic panel discussion 2: Challenges to youth development and opportunities for poverty eradication, employment and sustainable development.
