FROM NYAC TO THE UNITED NATIONS: AN INTERVIEW WITH TWO WORLD-CHANGERS

Just last January, HOPE worldwide youth leaders were in New York City shaking hands and discussing matters with foreign ministers and government officials. NYAC member Ryan Holland and Global Service Intern Joshua Vett, had the incredible opportunity to represent HOPE worldwide at the United Nation's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

If you've been following us for a while, you've probably noticed that this isn't the first time HOPE worldwide has been involved with the U.N. In fact, Hww has "Special Consultative Status" with the United Nations which allows us to send representatives to participate in conferences and meetings opened for NGOs. Last April, four youth leaders visited Geneva, Switzerland, to take part in the UN-initiated Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action. Last November, several NYAC and GSI youth leaders participated in the GOODdler Social Impact Youth Summit, which was also organized with the United Nations.

As part of ECOSOC's annual youth forum, some of the most passionate world-changers gathered to discuss the role of youth in building sustainable and resilient urban and rural communities.

Learn about Ryan’s experience below:

Can you give a brief background of ECOSOC's youth forum and explain its purpose?

RH: "The goal of the forum was to discuss how to greater involve the youth around the world in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are 17 goals that the United Nations are committed to pursue in order to aid in the development process in developing countries. Many government officials and leaders around the world took this time to report on the success that they have had with the youth in their own nations. It also gave them a chance to hear the perspective of many students and youth leaders around the world. It was a great exchange of inspiring ideas."

What was the overall atmosphere of ECOSOC?

RH: "The ECOSOC youth forum was extremely exciting! Surrounded by foreign ministers from every corner of the world, government officials, ambassadors and delegates to the U.N., leaders of organizations, and students from prestigious universities, I had the opportunity to discuss many problems, solutions, and experiences with people who have actively sought to make a difference in the world. I felt proud to represent HOPE worldwide at this event because it is an organization that has made a huge difference in the world and played a major role in shaping my desires and dreams for God's kingdom."

Can you explain some of the topics that were discussed?

RH: "The main topics of discussion were the different SDGs and the role of youth in building sustainable and resilient urban and rural communities. The breakout session that I valued the most was based on the youth involvement with the SDGs in Latin America. It was a great opportunity to hear about the challenges in obtaining a youth perspective on policy making. The general consensus from this discussion is that young people will become more involved if there are clear opportunities for them to do so. Many leaders in this discussion emphasized the fact that impoverished youth are far more focused on meeting daily needs than how they can have a voice in their nation's politics. There are many factors that hinder youth from actively pursuing a role in their local governments, organizations, etc. These factors include a distrust of their government, a lack of basic necessities, and little knowledge of opportunities for involvement. In our forums, many world leaders reported the success of their youth programs. This was very valuable because it outlined successful ways to excite youth involvement in achieving the SDGs."

What steps will you personally take with this new wealth of knowledge?

RH: "Personally, I can tend to overcomplicate my role in the world around me. This forum helped me to see that the large changes that we want to see around the world can often start with small actions and initiatives. This forum helped me to see how big my voice truly can be in my community. Therefore, the biggest change I will make will be in my attitude. I will begin to see even the smallest of service efforts as a success. On a different note, I will take much more careful note of the wants and desires of the people I am serving. When planning a service project, it is so easy to assume that I have the solution to a given problem before even asking the people I am serving what they feel that they need. I believe this forum has radically influenced my planning process."

What do we need to know?

RH: "I think an important point made at the forum was that a large percentage of our populations are young people, and there is an indescribable wealth of potential in us, but a very small percentage of our decision-makers are youth. It is important for us to look towards the youth for input on big decisions because these decisions affect them. The viewpoints of young people diversify the overall opinion of the group. At the same time, young people need to take advantage of the opportunities that they have to give their advice."

– Olivia Hermosillo, HOPE worldwide Youth Programs Intern