"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather,
both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must
be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its
lifeline"
Kofi Annan- Former UN Secretary General
Young people in all countries are
major human resource for development and key agents for social change, economic
development and technological innovation. By enabling more effective participation
of young people countries can benefit from their energy, naivety, unique
perspectives and innovative and creative ideas.
Young people are the experts on the issues that affect them and as such
are vital to achieving effective and lasting solutions. By empowering young
people to participate more fully in society and decision making processes, they
become engaged as partners in shaping the world they will inherit and pass on
to future generations.
Participation in decision-making
is one of the key priority areas of the United Nations agenda on youth. One and
the major form of participation is through the inclusion of youth delegates in
a country's official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and
various functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council. By including
young people in national delegations to United Nations meetings, governments
help them gain a better understanding of the negotiations, the challenges of
achieving consensus and the patience required to win diplomatic progress. These
skills help young people no matter what course they choose in life. Moreover,
the time spent representing the youth of their countries in the international
arena can also inspire and encourage young people to participate more deeply at
home, In the political life of their own societies. Thereby counteracting the
immense social costs of excluding young people.
One fourth of Sri Lanka’s
population being young people between the ages of 15-29, The National Youth
Services Council realized the importance of facilitating young voices to be
heard at the Global arena. They were certain that including Youth Ambassadors
in the intergovernmental debate can improve communication between the United
Nations, Government and the Youth bulk in the country and thus let young people
identify the politics that are made for them.
So, In early 2012 the Youth
Council along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills development called
for applications for the First ever “Youth Ambassador” Program in the history
of Sri Lanka, which attracted nearly 400 applications for the first round of
selection. Shortlisted by 3 experts in International Relations and Youth
Development in Sri Lanka, 14 finalists, 7 boys and 7 girls were called up for
the final interview. After a lengthy interview of nearly 45 minutes two young
girls, My Self and Aruthra Rajasigham were selected as the First ever youth
Delegates to represent Sri Lanka at the United Nations General Assembly.
Since the day we were announced
with our new position, there was some extra weight added to our lives with the
responsibility to represent Sri Lanka’s young people at the most important
United Nations meeting and nevertheless to present the National Statement of
youth in Sri Lanka at the Third Committee as young diplomats. So there we were.
Two weeks before our flight to New-York. Until then, it only has been sending a
lot of emails, calling a lot of people, meeting a lot of people and hard
working. We had to take part in a youth led consultation program with young
people from the entire country. Which included a two day workshop and
consultation seminars in the National Youth Council, One day training at the
United Nations Country office Sri Lanka, We had to complete a self-study
assessment on how the World Action Plan on Youth (WPAY) is relevant to youth
development in Sri Lanka, Internet based Consultation programs to get young people’s
Ideas about the youth Issues recognized in the consultations and by our former
youth related work and communicate with
Youth experts in UN with regard to the upcoming topics in the third committee. We also had to
Participate in online discussions with the Youth Delegates from Other countries
and organize a joint side event. I guess it’s almost like this for every Youth
Delegates. The challenge offered by this work is a huge one.
Finally on the 9th of
October, marking a golden page of Sri Lanka’s history two young girls received the opportunity to present the National
Statement at the Third Commitee. It was undoubtedly the highest achievement
that Sri lanka’s young people ever attained. The issues highlighted in the
statement were underemployment and unemployment, challenges of youth
rehabilitees, regional disparities in the recourses for education, sexual and
reproductive health rights concerns and lack of career guidance for the young
people. The statement also called the importance of creating inclusive spaces
and opportunities for youth participation and encouraging and recognizing their
contributions and utilizes them as a force for positive social change. Further,
we mentioned about the initiatives that has been taken by the Government of SL
in order to increase the participation of young people in the decision making
processes. The youth parliament and its process was one of the key concepts
that were mentioned in the statement. Last but not least we didn’t forget to
mention about the World Youth Conference 2014 which is scheduled to be held in
Sri Lanka.
The best experience of all was
our meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon. Secretary
General was very much impressed of the initiatives taken by the governments of
countries in the global south, such as Sri Lanka, in ensuring that youth
delegates from their countries participate in global platforms of this scale. At
the end of this meeting we were given the rare opportunity to take a photograph
with the Secretary General.
Upon our
arrival to New York we received the opportunity to attend many high level
meetings, round table discussions, receptions, dinners, working breakfasts,
side events and special meetings with Youth experts in the UN, Youth delegates
from other countries and distinguishes diplomats. Attending the Side events of
the Mission of Poland and Mission of Switzerland, attending the Opening debate
of the Security Council, International Youth Delegate Side Event on “How to
Incorporate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the Post 2015
Agenda”, arranging a dinner for all the Youth Delegates organized by the Youth
Delegates of Sri Lanka and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN,
contributions to coordination Meetings and third committee resolutions, Meetings
with Mr. Ravi Karkara, Expert Advisor on Children and Youth in the UN habitat,
High level pane on International Day of Girl Child, UNDESA Youth Delegate
Interview, Advocacy Training by Pax Romana, Meeting with the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the United States of America
& to the United Mexican States are some of the highlights of our one Month
stay in New York.
After returning
back to the country it’s our responsibility to work with the National Youth
Services Council’s youth Development activities Until the next UNGA, Share our
experience with Sri Lankan youth through media and workshops, Help NYSC to
Create a Pool of Young Professionals to represent Sri Lanka at International
platforms, Actively Participating in National Youth Policy drafting Process and
Work as Ambassadors of the World Youth Conference 2014.
Being the
National Youth Delegate to the United Nations is not an easy task. It’s not
like participating in a typical youth conference. It’s a platform which exposes
us to the insights of international political arena. We are unwrapped to a
bigger world where we can raise a better voice. Where we can actually stand up
and contribute to the policies and procedures affecting young people. Where we
experience diplomacy and learn how to negotiate.
Special Thanks
should be given to the National Youth Services Council and Ministry of Youth
Affairs and skills development of Sri Lanka for recognizing the value of such programs
and encouraging young people in the country to achieve their aspirations and
reach heights not only locally but globally too. And our gratitude goes out to
the Ministry of External Affairs specially the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
to the UN in New York for their kind guidance and support.
