In the African United Nations Youth Delegate Program, Uganda’s representatives, Nadia Islam Tedoldi and Kalema Andrew Arnold, accompanied by Suuna Pius as coordinator, attended the 2nd regional training following the initial session held in Uganda. This subsequent training convened East African UN youth delegates from Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Tanzania in Dar es Salaam from May 23rd to 28th, 2023. Throughout this engagement, a focus was placed on advocating for youth interests within the UN, emphasizing the strengthening of mechanisms for youth participation from the Global South, and addressing youth unemployment.
Once these mandates are presented to the General Assembly in New York, it will signal the active involvement of African UN Youth Delegates on the global stage.
Amidst Uganda’s substantial youth population of 78% and the prevalent unemployment issues, particularly in urban areas, urgent attention was directed toward these matters. Within the training sessions, our delegates actively participated in diverse activities, including a simulation of the United Nations Security Council. This exercise facilitated the enhancement of skills in lobbying, networking, negotiation, and crafting resolutions tailored to tackle the unique challenges faced by young individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, with a special emphasis on the East African context.
A significant proposition put forth during this period was the initiation of a specialized knowledge exchange platform intended for various cohorts of UN Youth Delegates. This platform aims to foster an informed, impactful global network among UN Youth Delegates. The proposals presented, including those addressing labor mismatch, indigenous value chains, financial literacy, blue-collar jobs, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the establishment of an International Labour Organization (ILO) youth governing body, collectively form the framework aimed at tackling the multifaceted issue of unemployment. Once these mandates are presented to the General Assembly in New York, it will signal the active involvement of African UN Youth Delegates on the global stage.
