Supreme

UN Me: voices of the youth

August 27, 2011 | 12:00am

As we plan the endless sunsets of the long holiday, let’s ponder the question “What makes a hero?” For me, a hero is someone who is perturbed when things go wrong in this topsy turvy world. He doesn’t just let things be; he makes his voice heard.

A month ago, I met a lot of these heroes during a United Nations High Level Meeting for the Youth, in which different youth-oriented organizations lobbied for their right to be heard in New York. One of these groups is World Youth Alliance, a group I was a delegate for. Our stance is that human dignity should come before human rights and be the basis for it. We respect life at all times and the consciences of other people. Through this group, I met crazy kids around the world who are doing spectacular things in their own communities and much more through other non-profit organizations as well.

In spite of the time differences and backgrounds, our humanity still sticks out because we all have the same needs and worries, as you’ll see from the answers of the delegates I interviewed for this article. However, these needs can met through dialogue between you and me, and not between the UN and myself. It is real people on the ground that get things done to make a difference. Our methods may be different, but we all want the change.

So, let’s start the dialogue. Let’s talk about it. You and me.

María Alejandra Sierra

Country: Honduras

Age: 21 years old

What does your country need the most?

Education and poverty relief.

Why is it important for the youth to have a voice in their country’s government?

Young people learn very easily and are open to change. Thus, they can recognize when some institution or mandate is not rendering enough or different and new strategies to tackle the problems that have been damaging for many years. Youth participation in government measures could then be more dynamic, inclusive and well-targeted. The energy that young people have to take on challenges is also much needed in a country where some people remain indifferent and selfish to the needs of the others just because they live somewhat comfortable.

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Luisa Khalil Jacott

Country: Mexico

Age: 20

What does your country need the most?

Education, opportunities for youth and basic health services.

Why is it important for the youth to have a voice in their country’s government?

Because we may speak for the realthings that we need. Sometimes our politicians only ask or only work for things that are not really a problem for the youth.

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Hannah Ondiek

Country: Kenya

Age: 23

What does your country need the most?

What my country needs most is good governance and proper allocation of resources to all areas in the country to institutions like education, health services, and recreation. Youth in my country have the initiative to be responsible and innovative in ways like starting businesses and organizations that help the community and also give them a chance to earn an income instead of engaging in vices like taking drugs, alcohol, robbery, prostitution and resorting to feelings of uselessness and inadequacy.

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Jarnickae Wilson

Country: Saint Lucia

Age: 16

Why is it important for the youth to have a voice in their country’s government?

The youth are the hope for the future, acting through the vehicle of the present. As most democratically elected governments generally act within the limitations of terms of office, they in many cases provide limited outlook and vision for a country’s future, acting within a 4-5 year mandate. However, this is not the case with youth. I believe that young people are the best messengers of a sustainable and perennial vision for their nations’ future. This may be attributed to the fact that we are not afraid to think creatively, and are in most cases the purest voices in national affairs. Youth is a mandate free from political interests or the insularity that experience may sometimes provide. This is the central reason why it is important for young people to have a voice, and more importantly, to be listened to in the scheme of government. After all, change is intrinsic in youthfulness, and change is exactly what our world needs today.

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Nicole Andrea Rapista

Country: Philippines (currently living in the US attending college)

Age: 19

What does your country need the most?

The Philippines needs is to invest in education and healthcare. An economy and country can thrive if its people are educated and healthy.

Why is it important for the youth to have a voice in their country’s government?

The youth are effective agents of change. They play a vital role in society and integral to the country and peoples’ collective prosperity is the active participation of the youth in how their country is run.

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Iyinoluwa Aboyeji