Empowering Youth Voices: AUNYD Delegates Advocate at UN General Assembly
The African United Nations Youth Delegate (AUNYD) program culminated in a powerful representation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking a pivotal moment for the Uganda United Nations Association (UNAU). Delegates from Uganda, part of two cohorts, converged in New York after completing regional training, where they made remarkable strides in advocating for youth-centered initiatives on a global stage.
The cohort echoed their mandates, forging networks crucial for sustaining meaningful connections between young individuals and the UN.
The first cohort, consisting of six delegates, including UNAU’s representative Nadia, participated in the High-Level Political UN General Assembly in September. Nadia notably emerged as the Rapporteur for the SDGs Summit 2023, spearheading discussions on youth empowerment’s intersectional approaches at the ECOSOC chamber. The cohort echoed their mandates, forging networks crucial for sustaining meaningful connections between young individuals and the UN.
Meanwhile, the second cohort engaged in the Third Committee, building upon the connections established by their predecessors. They orchestrated a compelling side event at the German House, championing their mandates and engaging various stakeholders, including representatives from East African permanent missions, such as Uganda’s own Ms. Nabeta. Her insights on leveraging local livelihoods for economic empowerment resonated during the event.
Amidst a flurry of activities, the delegates attended diverse side events, countries like Ireland, UAE, as they partnered with Austria delegation to address challenges such as the triple planetary crisis. Encounters with key entities like Baha’I International and Major Groups for Youths and Children enriched their understanding of global perspectives on critical issues.
Following their successful advocacy in New York, the journey culminated in Ethiopia, hosted by the UN Association of Ethiopia. Here, reflections on their tenure, future strategies, and mentorship for the incoming 2024 cohort took center stage. This transition marked a pivotal moment as the African Hub aimed to fortify capacity-building efforts for the East African UN Association.
