The Youth Envoy gives her first public remarks in her new role during World Youth Skills Day at UN Headquarters in New York. Credit: Jess Walker
UN News: What inspired you to take on the role of UN Youth Envoy?
JW: I served as Youth Delegate during the formulation process of the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals]. In the UN, I saw how young people came together with diverse ideas, proposals and plans of action to weigh-in on framing the future development agenda.
This is a time in history that we can really make a change
I also recognized that there is a need for the UN to engage young people and get their perspective on how the world should look in 2030 because, ultimately, it is the youth who will lead the implementation of this agenda.
I think this is a time in history that we can really make a change because the future will depend on the implementation of the SDGs, and young people will have a crucial role to play.
The new Secretary-General’s vision, which is to place youth at the centre of the UN’s work, also inspired me to become engaged in the process as the Youth Envoy.
UN News: What are some your goals as UN Youth Envoy?
JW: The terms of reference under the Secretary-General’s vision for young people focuses on the meaningful participation of youth across the four pillars of the UN’s work, namely development; human rights; peace and security; and humanitarian action.
My goal would be to ensure that young people have a voice in all of these processes at the UN, with a special focus on the participation of girls and young women.
Institutionalizing youth participation in the UN is important because, as a Youth Delegate, I saw young people working hard on the ground – but without access to UN discussions that institutionalize youth participation. Instead, they often participate in very informal ways through their networks, non-governmental organization or during side events at forums that take place at the UN.
There is a need to formally recognize youth as partners in core processes at the UN. For example, when a government brings a delegation to negotiate a declaration on, say, peace and security, we can always include a youth delegate – ensuring that there is space for young people in the meeting room.