Young Activists Urge United Nations for Faster Generational Shift in Decision-Making

At a recent event leading up to the United Nations General Assembly, 26-year-old Daphne Frias engaged in a conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. They discussed the importance of giving young people more influence in decision-making processes. Frias, a disability and climate activist, expressed that it's time for those who often dominate discussions to step back and allow her generation to lead.

Guterres acknowledged the mistakes made by his generation, stating, "My generation messed up when it comes to the world today." He emphasised the need for younger generations to be involved in decision-making, as they are crucial in addressing global challenges. "We cannot do that if your generation is not part of the decision-making process that is still controlled by my generation that messed up," he added.

Youth Participation and Influence

The UN has been making efforts to engage young people over the years. Initiatives like "Youth 2030" aim to make youth full partners in the UN's work. However, progress has been slower than desired. The recent "Pact for the Future" includes commitments to enhance youth participation in policymaking and UN processes.

Despite these efforts, young people remain underrepresented in positions of power. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, less than 3% of national legislature members are under 30. This lack of representation highlights the challenges young activists face in influencing global decisions.

Challenges and Opportunities

Marinel Sumook Ubaldo, a 27-year-old climate activist from the Philippines, believes that while the UN can be a valuable platform for advocacy, grassroots organising is equally important. She argues that if the UN shifts from symbolic inclusion to empowering youth with decision-making authority, it will remain relevant.

Nudhara Yusuf, who co-chaired a civil society conference for the recent summit, stresses the importance of meaningful participation. She questions how young people can be included beyond just being on panels and suggests they should be part of offstage dialogues as well.

Empowering Young Changemakers

Amani Joel Mafigi, who co-founded an entrepreneurship organisation in Uganda, proposes creating a youth empowerment fund for climate and social justice initiatives. He believes young changemakers should play a central role in structuring and steering such funds.

Mafigi shared his thoughts with Guterres at the same event as Frias. He highlighted how much young people can achieve with limited resources and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. Guterres responded by encouraging young people not to fear fighting for their rights.

The UN Secretary-General also mentioned plans to increase youth representation within the organisation. He aims to ensure that young voices are heard during decision-making processes rather than after decisions have been made.

This growing momentum towards involving young people in global governance reflects a shift in recognising their potential as partners rather than mere beneficiaries of policies. However, there is still much work needed to ensure their participation is truly impactful.