UN day three
This day began somewhat earlier than I had anticipated, with an phone call at 5am from the Ghanaian youth delegate! He'd only just arrived and wanted some basic information, so I provided that and went back to sleep.
I had to wake up around 7.30 after that though but unfortunately overslept, resulting in a havoc scene as I rushed around the room and dashed out before having breakfast. The reason for this was that I'd agreed to meet other youth reps at the UN before business got underway in order to set up the display area we'd booked and put up the posters we'd made at the weekend.
Following this I hurried to the UK Mission to meet everyone else and then, slightly pointlessly, left for the UN again barely five minutes after. It was a bit of a chaotic morning until this point, with some calm being restored at the briefing session for national youth delegates hosted by staff of the UN Youth Programme. There were a few new faces at this session and it was good to meet more people.
Shortly after this we headed to the Third Committee opening session - nothing really happened in this but it seemed quite well attended although it was nothing much more than all the usual formalities.
After a quick lunch it was time for the youth reps' side event we had prepared for on Sunday and discussed again after the briefing session earlier. For a while the event actually ever happening was in the balance. Various reasons meant that the forecast for attendance wasn't that great - the event being on a Monday was one of the main things, since it led to a lack of publicity and knowledge its existence. But in the end we decided the best option was to go ahead, no matter how many people came.
This proved to be a good choice because it went pretty well. Keynote speakers on the five new priority areas of the World Programme of Action for Youth outlined their views on each section and this was followed by discussions in smaller groups on how to initiate implemenation. And at the end participants were rewarded with a slice of cake to celebrate the WPAY's tenth birthday!
In the evening there was another side event, taking place in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium and hosted by the UN Youth Programme. Although I arrived slightly late, it was still very interesting. A series of short film clips around the theme of youth participation were shown and this was followed by an informal chat between all present about the role of young people at the UN and other related issues.
At 8pm we had a conference room booked for a meeting of all national youth delegates - an important opportunity to gather together and discuss plans for the week. It went on for rather a long time, with a lengthy debate about the idea of giving awards to all member states sending youth reps. We all agreed this was a sensitive matter - we had to give praise without implying there was a lack of political will from nations which didn't include a young person.
It did end eventually and once the arrangements were done and dusted we took up the invitation of dinner with NGO representatives from the European Youth Forum, at their hotel situated nearby. It was again good have the chance to speak with youth delegates in an informal situation and free meals are never badly received.
Overall it was a bit of a mad day, starting early and ending late. But I had more interesting experiences and the whole process is about learning.
I had to wake up around 7.30 after that though but unfortunately overslept, resulting in a havoc scene as I rushed around the room and dashed out before having breakfast. The reason for this was that I'd agreed to meet other youth reps at the UN before business got underway in order to set up the display area we'd booked and put up the posters we'd made at the weekend.
Following this I hurried to the UK Mission to meet everyone else and then, slightly pointlessly, left for the UN again barely five minutes after. It was a bit of a chaotic morning until this point, with some calm being restored at the briefing session for national youth delegates hosted by staff of the UN Youth Programme. There were a few new faces at this session and it was good to meet more people.
Shortly after this we headed to the Third Committee opening session - nothing really happened in this but it seemed quite well attended although it was nothing much more than all the usual formalities.
After a quick lunch it was time for the youth reps' side event we had prepared for on Sunday and discussed again after the briefing session earlier. For a while the event actually ever happening was in the balance. Various reasons meant that the forecast for attendance wasn't that great - the event being on a Monday was one of the main things, since it led to a lack of publicity and knowledge its existence. But in the end we decided the best option was to go ahead, no matter how many people came.
This proved to be a good choice because it went pretty well. Keynote speakers on the five new priority areas of the World Programme of Action for Youth outlined their views on each section and this was followed by discussions in smaller groups on how to initiate implemenation. And at the end participants were rewarded with a slice of cake to celebrate the WPAY's tenth birthday!
In the evening there was another side event, taking place in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium and hosted by the UN Youth Programme. Although I arrived slightly late, it was still very interesting. A series of short film clips around the theme of youth participation were shown and this was followed by an informal chat between all present about the role of young people at the UN and other related issues.
At 8pm we had a conference room booked for a meeting of all national youth delegates - an important opportunity to gather together and discuss plans for the week. It went on for rather a long time, with a lengthy debate about the idea of giving awards to all member states sending youth reps. We all agreed this was a sensitive matter - we had to give praise without implying there was a lack of political will from nations which didn't include a young person.
It did end eventually and once the arrangements were done and dusted we took up the invitation of dinner with NGO representatives from the European Youth Forum, at their hotel situated nearby. It was again good have the chance to speak with youth delegates in an informal situation and free meals are never badly received.
Overall it was a bit of a mad day, starting early and ending late. But I had more interesting experiences and the whole process is about learning.
posted by Frederick at 03:00
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