The first stages of an important mission
I always expected the 'Informal Preparatory Gathering' for UN youth representatives to be an intensive affair. Taking place in Uppsala, Sweden, this was a chance to discover a new place at the same time as doing important work to further the cause of youth issues on the international agenda.
My first impressions of the country were largely weather-related. On the bus to Uppsala from Arlanda Airport in Stockholm it was almost like being back at home (apart from the scenic surroundings of forests, woods and hillsides!). Skies were grey at first, it rained for about five minutes, then the sun came out. Throughout the weekend conditions continued to vary massively - it could be cold, warm, humid, sunny, windy or wet all in the same day!
When it came to matters of work, this was a truly global gathering. Youth reps from Norway, Ghana, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Finland, Germany and, of course, Sweden, were all in attendance. My job at the gathering was difficult - as only one of the three UK youth delegates this year I had to continually take notes to pass back to the others and also remember to keep the team ethic in mind at all times, even though I was on my own.
The presentations, seminars and discussions we had were all equally invaluable. They included a series of talks from last year's Swedish youth delegate on protocol and procedure at the General Assembly, a lecture on Advocacy from an expert in that field and planning sessions for how we, the youth reps, would like to operate in New York.
Working at the UN is going to be an incredibly complicated business. There is so much to remember when lobbying and speaking to international diplomats. One of the most important things is the 'one minute pitch' we will have to use with most officials - if we can't grab their attention and interest quickly, we will get nowhere with our objectives.
My prediction that it's going to take a lot of hard work to be a successful youth rep has been proved correct. The only difference now is that I have guidance and information on exactly how to make that work effective, productive and profitable. This year it is likely that record numbers of UN member states will include a young person in their national delegation, I can't wait to meet all the others. We must form a cohesive, co-operative and organised unit to further the youth agenda in New York. The first steps on this path have now been made.
My first impressions of the country were largely weather-related. On the bus to Uppsala from Arlanda Airport in Stockholm it was almost like being back at home (apart from the scenic surroundings of forests, woods and hillsides!). Skies were grey at first, it rained for about five minutes, then the sun came out. Throughout the weekend conditions continued to vary massively - it could be cold, warm, humid, sunny, windy or wet all in the same day!
When it came to matters of work, this was a truly global gathering. Youth reps from Norway, Ghana, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Finland, Germany and, of course, Sweden, were all in attendance. My job at the gathering was difficult - as only one of the three UK youth delegates this year I had to continually take notes to pass back to the others and also remember to keep the team ethic in mind at all times, even though I was on my own.
The presentations, seminars and discussions we had were all equally invaluable. They included a series of talks from last year's Swedish youth delegate on protocol and procedure at the General Assembly, a lecture on Advocacy from an expert in that field and planning sessions for how we, the youth reps, would like to operate in New York.
Working at the UN is going to be an incredibly complicated business. There is so much to remember when lobbying and speaking to international diplomats. One of the most important things is the 'one minute pitch' we will have to use with most officials - if we can't grab their attention and interest quickly, we will get nowhere with our objectives.
My prediction that it's going to take a lot of hard work to be a successful youth rep has been proved correct. The only difference now is that I have guidance and information on exactly how to make that work effective, productive and profitable. This year it is likely that record numbers of UN member states will include a young person in their national delegation, I can't wait to meet all the others. We must form a cohesive, co-operative and organised unit to further the youth agenda in New York. The first steps on this path have now been made.
Labels: travel
posted by Frederick at 02:30
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