youth delegate

8/9/2019 Youth Delegate

1/64

to the

United Nations

YOU

TH

D

EL

EG

ATES

GUIDE TO


2/64

Prepared for Member States of the United Nations by the

United Nations Programme on Youth/Division for Social Policy and Development/Department of Economic and Social Affairs


3/64


4/64


5/64

i

The creativity, energy and passion o young people are

indispensable or tackling global challenges. Whenever

I spend time with young people my role aords me the

pleasure and honour to meet requently with youth rom

around the world I am always impressed by the contribu-

tions they make to their communities, and inspired by the

insight and devotion they bring to the issues on the United

Nations agenda. The Member States o the Organization

have also acknowledged the importance o youth in meet-

ing the trials o our day, including through the decision o

the General Assembly to proclaim the International Year

o Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding, starting on

12 August 2010.

An important mechanism or the participation o young

people in the work in the United Nations is the Youth Del-

egates Programme. By including young people in national

delegations to United Nations meetings, Governments help

them gain a better understanding o the intricacies o nego-

tiations, the challenges o achieving consensus and the pa-

tience required to win diplomatic progress. These skills help

young people no matter what course they choose in lie.

Moreover, the time spent representing the youth o their

countries in the international arena can also inspire and en-

courage young people to participate more deeply at home,

in the political lie o their own societies, thereby counter-acting the immense social costs o excluding young people.


6/64

ii

I attach great importance to the Youth Delegates Pro-

gramme. It creates civic role models or young people

around the world and brings new perspectives to discussions

in the General Assembly. However, some regions continueto be underrepresented among the youth delegates; I en-

courage Member States to do more to bring young people

aboard and achieve a more equitable geographical balance.

Hal o the population o the world is under 25. We need

to harness the spirit o youth around the world to address

the tough challenges we ace. This Guide is meant to inspire

more Member States to support youth participation at inter-

governmental meetings and to allow the voices o youngpeople rom all over the world to be not only heard, but

acted upon.

BAN Ki-moon

Secretary-General of the United Nations


7/64

iii


8/64

8


9/64

v

Young people between the ages o 15 and 24 represent ap-

proximately 18 per cent o todays global population, signi-

ying the largest youth cohort in history. They are increas-

ingly mobilizing and impacting social policy dialogue within

their communities as well as at the global level. In response,

the international community has recognized their contribu-

tions and potential or greater participation by encouraging

the inclusion o youth delegates in United Nations meetingsand conerences.

The purpose o the ollowing Guide is to provide Member

States with inormation on national youth delegates to the

United Nations and practical guidance on developing youth

delegate programmes. The Guide presents the many ave-

nues through which young people may take part in the work

o their national delegations, including by highlighting how

some Member States have enabled youth to participate inthe intergovernmental processes at the United Nations.

The Guide has been prepared by the United Nations Pro-

gramme on Youth o the Division or Social Policy and Devel-

opment in the Department o Economic and Social Aairs.

The Programme is the ocal point within the United Nations

system in the area o youth development and matters related

to young people, particularly in relation to the priority areas

identied in the World Programme o Action or Youth.


10/64


11/64

vii

Specically, the Programme aims to: Enhance awareness of the global stuaton of youth

and to increase recognition o their rights and aspi-rations;

Proote natonal youth polces, prograes andcoordinating mechanisms as integral parts o socialand economic development, in cooperation withboth governmental and non-governmental organi-

zations;

Strengthen the partcpaton of youth n decson-making processes at all levels in order to increasetheir contribution to national development andinternational cooperation;

Facltate the coordnaton of the UN systesyouth-related activities by leading the Inter-AgencyNetwork on Youth Development.

Through the inormation and country-specic examples

provided in this Guide, it is the hope that Governments and

young people alike will be encouraged to strengthen oppor-

tunities or youth to participate more ully in national and

international development policy dialogue.

Sha Zukang

Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs


12/64


13/64

ix

BACKGROUND 1

WHY YOUTH DELEGATES? 5

THE ROLE OF A YOUTH DELEGATE 7

YOUTH DELEGATES AT THE UNITED NATIONS 9

The General Assembly 9 The Commission or Social Development

(CSocD) 10The Commission on Sustainable

Development (CSD) 11

THE SELECTION PROCESS 13

BEFORE THE iNTERGOvERNmENTAL mEETiNGS 17

Preparations 17vsa process 18

WHEN RETURNING HOME 21

COUNTRY PROFiLES 23

Australia 24 Germany 27 Netherlands 31 Norway 34

Romania 36 Sweden 38 Switzerland 41 Thailand 44

FURTHER iNFORmATiON 47


14/64


15/64

1

Member States o the United Nations have long recognized

that the imagination, energy and ideals o young people

are vital or the continuing development o the societies

in which they live. In 1995, on the tenth anniversary o the

rst International Youth Year, the United Nations ormally

strengthened its commitment to young people by adopting

a unied approach called the World Programme o Action

or Youth (WPAY). The WPAY initially identied 10 priority

areas to guide policy and action in the area o youth devel-

opment. Recognizing the major changes that were occurring

in national and international development at the beginning

o the twenty-rst century, the General Assembly added ve

addtonal prorty areas n 2007, naely globalzaton, n-foraton and councaton technology, Hiv/AiDS, ared

confict and intergenerational issues. The ve additional

areas were elaborated in a supplement to the WPAY, which

was adopted at the sixty-second session o the General

Assebly n 2007 (see box on p. 2).


16/64

2

The World Programme ofacTion for YouTh (WPaY)

The World Programme o Action or Youth was

adopted by the General Assembly in 1995 and

expanded upon n 2007.

It provides a policy ramework and practical

guidelines or national action and international

support to improve the situation o youth in relation

to the ollowing 15 priority concerns:

For each prorty area, the WPAY outlnes the

challenges young people ace and presents proposals

or action to improve the lives o young people. The

WPAY also outlines the means o implementation

o the Programme o Action. The 15 priority areasare clearly interrelated and cut across areas in which

agencies o the United Nations system specialize

and provide technical advisory and other services to

Governments.

The Programme o Action is available at

www.un.org/youth

Educaton

Eployent

Hunger and poerty

Health

Enronent

Substance abuse

Juenle justce

Lesure-te acttes

Grls and young woen

Youth partcpaton nsociety and in decision-

making

Globalzaton

inforaton and co-

munication technology

(ICT)

Hiv/AiDS

Ared conct

intergeneratonal ssues


17/64

3

The World Programme o Action ocuses on increasing the

quality and quantity o opportunities available to young

people or ull, eective and constructive participation in

society. In particular, it invites Governments to strengthen

the involvement o young people in international orums by

considering the inclusion o youth representatives in their

national delegations to the General Assembly (General As-

sebly resoluton 50/81, paragraph 107).

This invitation has been renewed several times in subse-

quent resolutons (52/83, 54/120, 56/117, 58/133, 59/148,

60/2, 62/126). in ts recent resoluton pertanng to youth pol-

ces and prograes (General Assebly resoluton 64/130),

adopted in 2009, the General Assembly:

Urges Member States to consider including youth

representatives in their delegations at all relevant

discussions in the General Assembly, the Economic

and Social Council and its unctional commissions and

relevant United Nations conerences, as appropriate,

bearing in mind the principles o gender balance and

non-discrimination, and emphasizes that such youth

representatives should be selected through a transpar-ent process that ensures that they have a suitable man-

date to represent young people in their countries; [para-

graph 17]

Recognizes the need or a greater geographical balance

o youth representation, and encourages Member States

and intergovernmental and non-governmental organi-

zatons to contrbute to the Unted Natons Youth Fund

in order to acilitate the participation o youth repre-sentates fro deelopng countres; [paragraph 18]


18/64

4


19/64

5

The underlying principle o youth participation in the worko the United Nations is that it leads to better policy and pro-grammatic responses to the problems acing young peopletoday. The United Nations recognizes that young people

around the world are both a major human resource or devel-opment and key agents or social change, economic devel-opment and technological innovation. Where young peoplehave participated more ully in their communities, they havebeen a strong positive orce in the development o theirsocieties. Youth who are involved in positive activities such ascommunity service are less likely to pursue risky behaviour.In addition to their substantive contributions, young peoplealso bring a unique perspective that needs to be taken into

consideration.

Including young people in ocial delegations to inter-governmental meetings not only enriches the debate andpolicy dialogue, but also strengthens existing channels ocommunication and cooperation between Governments andyoung people. Listening to youth and making them ull part-ners in the decision-making process can help Governmentsenact more eective and legitimate policies and programmes,especially with regard to youth issues.

Upon return to their home countries, youth delegatesoten promote continued progress in the development andimplementation o youth policies at the national level andencourage other young people to participate more ully inthe development o their communities and nations. Youthdelegates also spread awareness and knowledge about thework o the United Nations to young people in their homecountries, making them important actors in promoting the

aims and principles o the Organization.Several Member States regularly include youth representa-tives in national delegations to the United Nations, with thenuber gradually ncreasng year by year. For a lst of coun-tries that have had youth delegates in the past and or moreinormation on their work, please visit http://www.un.org/esa/socde/unyn/youthrep.ht


20/64

6


21/64

7

The role o a youth delegate to United Nations intergovern-

mental meetings diers rom country to country. It is gen-

erally determined by the authority responsible or youth

development in a country, in cooperation with the ministry

o oreign aairs (or its equivalent) and a countrys perma-

nent mission to the United Nations. Youth delegates typi-

cally partcpate n the General Assebly and/or functonal

commissions o the Economic and Social Council. The youth

delegates provide input to their delegation on issues related

to youth and participate in the delegations general work

through attending a variety o meetings and inormal nego-

tiations, as well as providing assistance in covering general

debates and drating reports. When returning home, theyouth delegates oten conduct tours o schools, universities,

youth organizations and other civil society organizations to

share their experiences with other young people.


22/64

8


23/64

9

Youth delegates may participate in several intergovern-

mental meetings at the United Nations. Most ocial youth

delegates participate in the General Assembly, but some also

attend unctional commissions o the Economic and Social

Council.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Each country determines the amount o time its youth

delegates spend at the United Nations General Assembly.

Some countries enable their youth delegates to participate

throughout the ull duration o the General Assembly, which

is generally in session rom September to mid-December.

However, the main ocus o a youth delegates work is usu-

ally the processes that take place in the Third Committee,

the arm o the General Assembly that deliberates on social,

cultural and humanitarian issues. Youth delegates regularly

deliver statements on issues o concern to young people on

behal o their Governments in the Third Committee.

Matters that pertain specically to youth currently all under

the agenda item entitled Social development, including


24/64

10

questions relating to the world social situation and to youth,

ageing, persons with disabilities and the amily. Generally,

this agenda item is considered in the Third Committee

during the month o October. However, this is subject tochange based on the annual programmes o work adoptedby Member States. The agenda o the General Assembly,including that o its Third Committee, is usually available inlate summer at http://www.un.org/ga

very often the youth delegates lase wth youth repre-sentatives rom other countries to exchange inormationand build upon their experiences. They may be invitedto speak at various side events or panel discussions organ-

ized by their mission, the United Nations Secretariat, ornon-governmental organizations. In recent years, youthdelegates have also jointly organized side events on issueso global concern to youth development.

Upon the arrival o the youth delegates, it is recommendedthat the mission provide a short brieng to clariy their rolein the delegation. The United Nations Programme on Youthalso provides an orientation to the United Nations system

that is open to all national youth delegates.

THE COmmiSSiON FOR SOCiAL

DEvELOPmENT (CSocD)

The Commission or Social Development (CSocD) is a unc-

tional commission o the Economic and Social Council

(ECOSOC). The body is in charge o the ollow-up to and

implementation o the Copenhagen Declaration and Pro-

gramme o Action o the World Summit or Social Develop-ent and eets annually n February for approxately one

and a hal weeks. It covers key social development themes,

such as poverty, employment and social integration, and the

issue o youth alls within the latter. The Commission is organ-

ized in two-year cycles, comprising a review session and a

policy session. Each year the Commission reviews relevant

United Nations plans and programmes o action on the situ-


25/64

11

ation o social groups, including youth. A youth resolution

is traditionally adopted every two years. Typically, youth

delegates that have been selected or the General Assembly

also participate in the Commission or Social Development,

since the work o the two bodies is closely interlinked.

The agenda o the Commission or Social Development is

available at http://www.un.org/esa/socde/csd/ndex.htl

THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE

DEvELOPmENT (CSD)

The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) isresponsible or reviewing progress in the implementation

o Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration on the Environment

and Development, as well as providing policy guidance to

follow up on the Johannesburg Plan of ipleentaton

(JPOi) at the local, natonal, regonal and nternatonal le-

els. The CSD meets annually in New York during the month

o May or two weeks, and is open to both governmental

and non-governmental actors. Young people can participate

either by being a member o their countrys ocial delega-tion, or by representing an NGO through the children and

youth major group. In recent years, the presence o youth

on government delegations has been increasing. Participat-

ing NGOs must be in consultative status with the Economic

and Social Council (ECOSOC), including those accredited on

the CSD Roster. Major groups can participate in interactive

dialogues, develop coordinated statements through the

dierent caucus groups, and advocate or particular issues.The youth caucus is an international network o youth lead-

ers rom hundreds o organizations around the world that

acilitates youth inputs to the CSD, through the children and

youth major group, in the Commissions preparation phase

and throughout the session.

The agenda o the Commission or Sustainable Development

is available at http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/csd/csd_ndex.shtl


26/64

12


27/64

13

The selection process or youth delegates varies rom country

to country. The selection process is requently overseen by

the government authority directly responsible or youth (e.g.,

ministry o education, department o youth and sport, min-

istry o cultural and social aairs, or equivalent). Since youth

delegates represent the youth o their home countries, past

youth delegates have stressed the importance o selecting a

representative young person through a transparent process,

oten with the involvement o young people in the decision-

making process. In many instances, the process is coordinated

by the National Youth Council or similar youth structure that is

able to transmit inormation to a diverse membership and or-

ganize a peer review process. Involvement o well-establishedyouth structures also ensures continuity. In other instances,

the relevant ministry circulates a call or applications and

then shortlsts canddates to be jontly reewed and/or n-

terviewed by representatives o both the Government and

youth organizations. In several countries, previous youth

delegates are included in the decision-making process, since

they have rst-hand experience o the skills and knowledge

needed to be an eective youth delegate.

Because the youth delegates are expected to inorm reso-

lutions and other recommendations on youth policies and

programmes, the most eective delegates are those who are

well versed in current national youth policies, who are linked

to youth organizations, structures or networks in their home

country and who are knowledgeable on some o the key

ssues confrontng ther generaton. Further, t s of por-

tance that the selected youth delegates have knowledge o

some basic English in order to be able to interact eectivelyat the intergovernmental meeting.

The inclusion o a youth delegate in a national delegation

to a United Nations intergovernmental meeting involves

intragovernmental cooperation and coordination. Once

the delegate(s) has been selected, the name o the selected

delegate(s) is then transmitted to the ministry o oreign a-

airs (or equivalent) and subsequently to the countrys per-


28/64

14

manent mission to the United Nations. It is also important to

inorm the United Nations Programme on Youth, at youth@

un.org, so that the youth delegate can be appropriately di-

rected to inormation, supported in understanding the work

o the United Nations and inormed o joint events with other

selected youth delegates.

To ensure that the youth delegates have sucient time to

prepare, and thus make the most o their participation at

the United Nations, it is recommended that selection take

place well beore the intergovernmental meeting is held.

Ideally, the youth delegate should be selected at least six

months prior to the meeting.

The logistical arrangements or youth delegates are typically

handled by the oreign ministry or permanent mission, as

they are experienced in bringing their nationals to unctions

at the United Nations. The associated costs are borne by the

Government, either entirely or partially. The youth delegate

may also be asked to raise unds required or his or her par-

tcpaton. Followng the request of the General Assebly n

ts resoluton 64/130, Goernents ay wsh to ake con-

trbutons to the Unted Natons Youth Fund to support theparticipation o youth delegates, in particular rom develop-

ing countries.

For ore nforaton on how dfferent countres select

their youth delegates, please reer to the country proles on

pages 23 to 45.


29/64

15


30/64

16


31/64

17

PREPARATIONS

Beore attending intergovernmental meetings, it is help-

ul or youth delegates to become amiliar with the work

o the United Nations on youth development. It is useul to

review recent youth resolutions and relevant reports o the

Secretary-General. All this inormation is accessible via the

United Nations Programme on Youth website at www.

un.org/youth or by request at [email protected]. It is also very

helpul to contact previous youth delegates, in order to

learn more about their experiences.

Youth delegates oten attend an in-country brieng withthe ministry o youth or similar authority responsible or

youth development. In some cases, youth representatives

organize events, public or online discussions, consultations,

school visits or other orms o outreach in order to create

awareness o their role as a national youth delegate. In

some countries, youth delegates role includes travelling

around their country, in order to gather inormation about

young peoples opnons and ews. For ore exaples of

activities that youth delegates around the world undertake

beore the intergovernmental meetings, please see the

country proles included in this guide.

Most years, a national youth council or similar organization

hosts a preparatory meeting or all the national youth del-

egates o a specic region taking part in the General Assem-

bly. In previous years, or example, the European Youth

Foru has hosted a preparatory eetng for European youth

delegates. Youth delegates rom other regions around the

world have participated through online discussions. The pur-

pose o the preparatory meeting is to prepare the youth del-

egates or their work in the General Assembly and to meet

other youth delegates. Some Governments support this

work, either nancially or by integrating these activities into

their own programmes.


32/64

18

viSA PROCESS

The visa process diers by country. In most cases, the or-

eign ministry or the countrys mission to the United Nations

writes a support letter or the selected youth delegates that

can be used or the visa application process. Sometimes the

visa process takes only a week, but in most cases it takes sig-

nicantly longer, adding to the importance o selecting the

youth delegates well beore the intergovernmental meeting

takes place.


33/64


34/64

20


35/64

21

Upon return rom United Nations intergovernmental meet-

ing, most youth delegates prepare a report to submit to

the arous nstres wthn the Goernent and/or ake

presentations to relevant departments. In some cases, they

undertake outreach activities similar to those they under-took prior to their time in New York, in order to share their

experience with other young people through youth organi-

zations, schools, radio programmes and other media.

Some youth delegates continue to interact with their Gov-

ernments to participate in implementation o the World

Programme o Action or Youth or to support related gov-

ernment programmes and projects. It is also very useul or

the returning delegates to be involved in the preparationand brieng o the incoming youth delegates.


36/64

22


37/64

23

Countries that send youth delegates to intergovernmental

meetings at the United Nations have varied arrangements

when it comes to their national youth delegate programmes.

In this section several national programmes are presented

in detail, in order to provide a better understanding o how

a youth delegate programme might be set up. The pro-

grammes presented here have been operational or at least

three consecutive years, and are proven to have eective se-

lection processes that could serve as examples or emerging

youth delegate programmes. Each country seeking to estab-

lish a youth delegate programme will, however, need to tai-

lor the programme to local specicities.


38/64

24

auSTralia

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe United Nations Youth Association o Australia (UNYA)

and ollows a our-step process. The process begins with an

expression o interest. UNYA advertises the position and

consistently receives around 200 applications per year that

respond to short-answer questions relating to youth advo-

cacy and international relations. During the second step,

shortlisted applicants are asked to think creatively and to

strategically write an essay on what they can bring to the posi-

tion o youth delegate. Thirdly, successul applicants romthe second round are invited to an interview where they are

asked questions on their experience with media, advocacy,

consultation and youth work. Interviews are recorded in

each Australian state and territory and are then screened by

the UNYA Natonal Execute. Fro the recorded nterews,

UNYA shortlists ve candidates to be viewed by the Austra-

lan Goernents Departent for Foregn Affars and Trade

exst s:

1999S yt ts t:The United Nations General

Assembly

c ppt:Late October

nb yt ts:1

lt t:1 year, beginning end o March

Vs pss:G2 visa, received with a support

letter rom the Australian

Mission to the United Nations

ct ppy:

- Between 16 and 24 years old

- Passion or youth empowerment

and participation

- Strong knowledge o the United

Nations and o international

aairs

- Awareness o the Australian

youth sector

- Past background in media,

advocacy and consultation

- Able to devote the whole year

to a domestic tour and

participation in the United

Nations General Assembly


39/64

25

(DFAT). The nal step conssts of DFATs selection and en-

dorsement o the successul youth delegate. UNYA supports

the youth delegates with their domestic consultations and

adocacy, whle DFAT s responsble for supportng the rep-

resentatives work at the General Assembly.

Before The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegate hasa high-prole role in the Australian youth community and

undertakes a ve-month consultation tour o all Australian

states and territories. The objective o this tour is to capture

the local and global concerns o young Australians.

During the tour, the youth delegate perorms a wide range o

educational activities, including educating young people ondomestic and international political processes. This includes

raising awareness among young people on how they can

convey their views to the Australian Government and on

how they can support the goals o the United Nations. The

youth delegate also equips young people with tools and

inormation on how they can get involved in local and

global campaigns.

A vital part o the youth delegates work is engaging voice-less young people in the community, including young people

who are marginalized and come rom disadvantaged back-

grounds. In this work, the youth delegate seeks to improve

the sel-esteem o young people by delivering motivational

speeches and participating in workshops on youth partici-

pation.

Throughout the domestic tour, the youth delegate orms

strong relationships with members o the national Govern-ment, in particular the Ministry or Youth, state governments

and other political actors. Through these relationships,

the youth delegate has a good platorm through which to

advocate the concerns of the derse youth s/he has engaged.

Ultimately, the consultations and advocacy work help de-

velop the youth delegates ocial statement to the Third

Committee o the General Assembly.


40/64

26

aT The general aSSemBlY: The Australian youth dele-gate works within the Permanent Mission o Australia to the

United Nations rom mid-September to early December. The

main responsibility o the youth delegate is to convey the

voices o Australian children and young people in General

Assembly orums and events. This includes delivering a state-

ment to the Third Committee o the General Assembly based

on the ndings o the national tour. The youth delegate

also helps to negotiate resolutions in the Third Committee

on behal o the Australian Mission, has the opportunity to

organize side events or delegations and contributes to

raising the prole o youth participation within UN organs

and agencies.

When reTurning home: Follow-up on the work wthnAustralia and to the General Assembly is one o the most

critical parts o the youth delegates role. The youth dele-

gates ollow-up work includes a Reporting Back Tour in

order to undertake a substantial evaluation process and sup-

port to government and non-governmental organizations

in the implementation o youth resolutions adopted by the

General Assembly. The youth delegate delivers educationalworkshops and inspirational talks to diverse youth audiences

to inorm young people, especially those visited throughout

the national tour, on how they were represented at the

General Assembly.

funding: The Australian Government organizes and paysor the youth delegates accommodation during the General

Assembly. All other costs, including the national tour and

ght tckets, are funded by the youth delegate through hs/her own und-raising.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process andthe Australian youth delegate programme, please contact

the UNYA Natonal vce-Presdent for Youth Representaton

at [email protected] or visit www.youthrep.org.au


41/64

27

germanY

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organizedby the German National Youth Council (DNK Deutsches

Natonalkotee fr nternatonale Jugendarbet) together

wth the Geran Unted Natons Assocaton (DGvN

Deutsche Gesellschaft fr de verenten Natonen). in re-

sponse to a call or applications, interested candidates sub-

t a otaton letter and Cv. Shortlsted canddates hae

two weeks to submit an essay on questions regarding youthtopics discussed at the United Nations. The questions are

typically taken rom the toolkit or the World Programme

o Action or Youth (WPAY). Around 12 candidates are then

selected or a telephone interview containing general ques-

tions in both German and English about the candidate, the

canddates otaton and hs/her knowledge about the

United Nations and the WPAY. Six candidates are selected

lt t:1 year or the General Assembly.Youth delegates are selected in late

January/early February

For the CSD, one youth delegate witha 2-year mandate is selected each yearn August/Septeber, so that the Geran

delegation always includes one experi-

enced and one new youth delegate

ct ppy:- Between 18 and 25 years old

- Fluency n Englsh

- Experience with youth work is

desirable

- Must be able to devote a consid-erable amount o time to youthdelegate work

exst s:2005

S yt ts t:The United Nations GeneralAssembly, the Commission orSocial Development and theCommission on SustainableDevelopment

c ppt:Early November

nb yt ts:4 (two youth delegates to theGeneral Assembly who typically also

participate in the Commission or

Social Development (CSocD) and

two delegates to the Commission on

Sustainable Development (CSD))


42/64

28

or a two-day nal selection process that takes place in Ber-

lin. The nals include interviews and role playing. The two

youth delegates are then selected together wth the Federal

Foregn Ofce and the Federal mnstry of Faly Affars,

Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Before The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegatestravel around the country to visit local youth initiatives,

youth organizations, schools, universities, political parties,

NGOs, Model United Nations Conerences, expert coner-

ences, educational centres or disadvantaged youth, andother events where young people are present. The main aimo this tour is to have a comprehensive consultation process,which enables young people in Germany to voice their viewsand demands, as well as share inormation about their lives.Furtherore, the youth delegates nfor youth n Geranyabout the work o the United Nations. During the tour, theyouth delegates attend workshops, deliver speeches andtake part n panel dscussons. They also eet wth the Fed-eral mnstry of Faly Affars, Senor Ctzens, Woen andYouth and the Federal Foregn Ofce to learn ore aboutthe work o these institutions and to establish contacts withtheir sta.

Contact with previous youth delegates is essential, and sev-eral days are spent with them in order to transer knowledge.Furtherore, the youth delegates prepare by undertaknga great deal o background research. This includes readingresolutions, reports o the Secretary-General and nationalposition papers o youth organizations, and collecting theinputs rom the national tour. The youth delegates also

attend a preparatory meeting or youth delegates organ-zed by the European Youth Foru, and take part n onlne

discussions with other youth delegates. During the last three

years it has been common that the youth delegates take a

sx-onth break fro ther studes/jobs n order to ake the

outcome o the programme as successul as possible.

aT The general aSSemBlY: The German youth delegatesare advisers to their national delegation. In their personal


43/64

29

capacity, they deliver a speech to the Third Committee o the

General Assembly on behal o German youth, and attend

nforal consultatons on resolutons concernng youth. Fur-

thermore, they arrange side events at the German Mission

and take part in various meetings. The youth delegates usu-

ally attend the General Assembly or three weeks. The youth

german YouTh delegaTeS To The cSd

The CSD youth delegate programme is run by the Ger-an Federal Youth Councl (DBJR), wth strong support

rom the Ministry or the Environment, Nature Conser-vation and Nuclear Saety. Ater a call or applications

that takes place in late summer, interested candidatessubt ther otaton letter and Cv to the DBJR.

Shortlisted candidates are invited or a personal in-

terview and, based on those interviews, the youth del-egates are selected. The CSD youth delegates usually do

not conduct a nationwide tour beore the CSD, but are

instead responsible or keeping in contact with all youthorganizations around Germany to include their inputs inormulating a joint German youth position or the dis-

cussions at the CSD.

While at the CSD, the German youth delegates are part

o the ocial delegation as well as members o the chil-dren and youth major group.

When returning home, the youth delegates undertake

a national tour during the summer together with theyouth delegates to the General Assembly to discuss the

topics at the CSD with youth around the country.

The youth delegates normally attend CSD or twoweeks and are unded by the Ministry or the Environ-

ment. In recent years, the German Government has also

unded the participation o two Arican youth delegatesat the CSD.


44/64

30

delegates to the General Assembly typically also participate

in the Commission or Social Development (CSocD), which

takes place n the begnnng of February.

When reTurning home: When returning home, theyouth delegates report back to the national Parliament

about the outcome o the General Assembly and what ac-

tions should be taken in the national context with regard

to youth policies. The youth delegates also report back to

the National Youth Council and its member organizations

as well as to the Geran Unted Natons Assocaton. Fnally,

they also go through an extensive knowledge transer pro-

cess with the youth delegates o the subsequent year.

funding: The trip and accommodation or the nal stageo the selection process is covered by the German National

Committee or International Youth Work (DNK) and the Ger-

an Unted Natons Assocaton (DGvN). Durng the natonal

tour, the inviting organizations cover the travel expenses and

accommodation i necessary. Apart rom that, the German

youth delegates raise unds or special activities and events.

Participation in the preparatory meeting o youth delegatesorganzed by the European Youth Foru s coered by the

Natonal Youth Councl and the European Youth Foru. The

trip and accommodation or the youth delegates during

the General Assebly s coered by the DNK and the DGvN.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process andthe German youth delegate programme, please visit www.

jugenddelegierte.de


45/64

31

neTherlandS

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe Dutch National Youth Council (DNYC). In response to a

call for applcatons, nterested canddates subt ther Cv

and answer a ew questions in an online questionnaire on

what they would do i they were selected as a youth del-

egate. In September, the DNYC selects 16 young people

who qualiy or the next round. The second round consists

o a debate, where groups o our people debate againsteach other on two dierent topics. The six best debaters

are chosen by a jury including a previous youth delegate

and representates fro the mnstry of Foregn Affars or

the United Nations Association o the Netherlands. In the

third round, the six selected young people compete against

each other in a week-long election process. Everyone in the

Netherlands can vote either through the Internet, by ballot

exst s:1970

S yt ts t:The United Nations GeneralAssembly, the Commission orSocial Development (CSocD),the Commission on SustainableDevelopment (CSD) and theUnited Nations Educational, Sci-

entic and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) Youth Foru

c ppt:Beginning o August

nb yt ts:5 (two or the General Assembly andthe Commission or Social Develop-

ment (CSocD), two or the Com-

mission on Sustainable Development

(CSD) and one or UNESCO)

lt t:2 years or the General Assembly,

CSocD and CSD and 1 year or

UNESCO. Youth delegates are se-lected in October. During the rst year,

the youth delegates take on an active

role by attending intergovernmental

meetings and working on nationalprojects. During the second year, the

youth delegates act as mentors and

support the next youth delegate

ct ppy:Between 18 and 25 years old

Vs pss:G2 visa


46/64

32

paper or by sending text messages. The three candidates

that receive the most votes are selected or the nals. The

nal takes place on 24 October, United Nations Day. The

three nalists hold debates and try to gather as many votes

as possible. Through the DNYC, the nalists get a small

amount o money to use or their campaigns, which include

leafets, articles in newspapers and posters. People can vote

either by being present at the nal or by sending text mes-

sages. The person with the most votes is the winner and be-

comes the next youth delegate.

Before The inTergoVernmenTal meeTing: The youthdelegate travels around the country to meet young people,

attend conferences organzed by the mnstry of Foregn

Aairs, participate in debates and give speeches at various

conerences. The youth delegate also receives support rom

the senior youth delegate, reads background documents

and participates in preparatory online consultations with

other youth delegates. S/he also attends a preparatory eet-

ng organzed by the European Youth Foru.

aT The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegate is an o-cial member o the national delegation and delivers a state-ment to the Third Committee o the General Assembly. The

youth delegate also participates in inormal consultations

on resolutions concerning youth, and organizes side events

together with other youth delegates. The Dutch youth del-

egate is normally at the General Assembly or three weeks.

When reTurning home: The youth delegate reports

back to the mnstry of Foregn Affars and the Dutch Na-tional Youth Council. The youth delegate also participates in

various lectures, debates and workshops and gives speeches

n order to nfor as any youth as possble about hs/her

experience at the intergovernmental meeting.

funding: The Dutch National Youth Council coverstravel expenses within the Netherlands. The European Youth


47/64

33

Foru pays costs related to the preparatory eetng. The

mnstry of Foregn Affars coers expenses related to the

intergovernmental meeting, including accommodation,

fight and ood.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process andthe Dutch youth delegate programme, please visit the Dutch

Youth Council at www.njr.nl/

neTherlandS YouTh delegaTeS To uneScoand The commiSSion on SuSTainaBledeVeloPmenT

The youth delegates participating in the UNESCO YouthForu undergo a selecton process slar to that for

those attending the General Assembly. Ater a call or

applications, interested candidates have to submit apersonal letter and Cv. Shortlsted canddates are thenselected or an interview with the DNYC. Ater that, the

member organizations o the DNYC vote or the candi-date they want to see as the next youth delegate. The

candidate who receives the most votes rom the mem-

ber organizations becomes the next youth delegate toUNESCO. The youth delegates attending the CSD are

also chosen through a ew rounds o interviews

conducted by the DNYC. The nal takes place at a sus-tainable development event, where those attendingvote or the candidate they would like to see as a youth

delegate.


48/64

34

norWaY

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU). In response

to a call or applications, youth organizations around Nor-

way can nominate candidates. One candidate is selected

rom one o the political parties youth organizations

through a rotating system, and one youth delegate isselected rom one o the other youth organizations. The

nonated canddates hae to send ther Cv and a ota-

tion letter stating what the candidate would do as a youth

delegate i selected, together with the nomination letter

rom their organization to the LNU. Successul candidates

are then invited or an interview conducted by a sta mem-

ber and a board member o the LNU. On the basis o these

interviews, two candidates are suggested to the board o

the LNU, which makes the nal decision.

Before The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegatesparticipate in the United Nations working group o the Nor-

wegian Children and Youth Council, and take part in the

Councils board meetings in order to learn more about the

work. The youth delegates also meet with the Ministry o

Foregn Affars, preous youth delegates and arous polt-

exst s:1971

S yt ts t:The United Nations General

Assembly

c ppt:Begnnng of February

nb yt ts:2

lt t:1 year. Youth delegates are selected at

the beginning o March

ct ppy:

- Nominated by a youthorganization

- Experience working with youthorganizations

- Age 26 or below


49/64

35

cians. They also participate in the preparatory meeting or-

ganzed by the European Youth Foru.

aT The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegates are o-

cial members o their national delegations. They deliver astatement to the Third Committee in the General Assembly

and speak on behal o Norway in the inormal consultations

on youth resolutions. The youth delegates are at the General

Assembly or two weeks.

When reTurning home: The youth delegates write a re-port to the Norwegian Children and Youth Council. They also

share their experiences with youth organizations around

Norway.

funding: Most o the costs or the youth delegate are cov-ered by the Norwegan mnstry of Foregn Affars. About

10 per cent o the total cost is covered by the LNU.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process andthe Norwegian youth delegate programme, please visit the

Norwegian Children and Youth Council at www.lnu.no


50/64

36

romania

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe Romanian National Youth Council in partnership with

the mnstry of Foregn Affars. in response to a call for appl-catons, nterested canddates subt ther Cv, a otaton

letter, a letter o recommendation and a 1,500-word-long

essay on a preset topic regarding youth. Successul candidates

are then selected or a semi-nal, where an interview is con-

ducted via Skype on such topics as youth policies and youth

programmes at the national, European and internationallevels, as well as questions regarding the candidates aca-

demic and proessional background.The nal rounds, or which six candidates are selected, com-prise a public debate with negotiations on youth priorityareas as dened in the World Programme o Action or Youth,and a question-and-answer session. The jury consists o rep-resentatives rom the Romanian National Youth Council, themnstry of Foregn Affars, the mnstry of Youth and Sports,the United Nations Inormation Centre and various youth

NGOs.

exst s:

2006


Assembly and the Commission

or Social Development (CSocD)

c ppt:End of July, begnnng of August

nb yt ts:2 (gender-balanced, the youthdelegates selected or the GeneralAssembly also participate in theCSocD)

lt t:

1 year. Youth delegates are selected atthe end o August

ct ppy:

- Romanian citizenship


- Have spent at least one year out o

the last three years in Romania

- Able to spend the year o themandate in Romania

Vs pss:G2 visa, supported by the Romanian

mnstry of Foregn Affars


51/64

37

Before The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegatestake part in various brieng sessions held by the Ministryof Foregn Affars, the mnstry of Youth and Sports and theUnited Nations Inormation Centre. The youth delegates also

attend a one-day brieng on youth policies and programmesorganized by the Roanan Youth Councl. Furtherore, theyouth delegates conduct background research on issues re-lated to youth, and have online discussions and consultationswith young people around Romania. They also participate inonline discussions with other youth delegates prior to the Gen-eral Assembly and the Commission or Social Development.

aT The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegates are o-

cial members o their national delegation and take partas advisers. The youth delegates deliver a statement to theThird Committee and participate in inormal negotiationson resolutions concerning youth. They also organize a sideevent at the Romanian Mission, and write brieng reportson youth-related topics. The youth delegates attend boththe General Assembly and the Commission or Social Devel-opment or two weeks.

When reTurning home: Upon their return, the youth

delegates report back to the National Youth Council andmeet with various stakeholders and NGOs that work onyouth policies. The youth delegates also travel around thecountry or an inormation campaign visiting universitiesand high schools, inorming young people about their ex-periences as youth delegates and the work o the UnitedNations. They also brie the incoming youth delegates.

funding: The Roanan mnstry of Foregn Affars coers

the accommodation during intergovernmental meetings,while the Ministry o Youth and Sports covers the fight tick-ets. Other costs related to the role o the Romanian youthdelegates are covered by the youth delegates themselves.The youth delegates are advised and supported by the Na-tional Youth Council to undertake und-raising.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process and theRomanian youth delegate programme, please visit www.unyouthdelegate.ro


52/64

38

SWeden

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe National Council o Swedish Youth Organizations (LSU).

The selection process is the same or both the General As-

sembly and the Commission on Sustainable Development. In

response to a call or applications made through the LSUs

electronic newsletter, interested member organizations o

the LSU nominate one person to represent their organiza-

tion. The nomination includes submitting a letter o motiva-ton, a Cv and an ofcal nonaton letter fro the e-

ber organization. The candidates who qualiy or the next

round are called to a telephone interview with members

rom the LSU board. Successul candidates are then selected

or a ace-to-ace interview. The nal candidates are

selected by the board o the LSU.

exst s:1999


Assembly (GA) and the

Commission on Sustainable

Development (CSD)

c ppt:

Beginning o Novembernb yt ts:2 (one or the General Assemblyand one or the Commission on

Sustainable Development)

lt t:1 year. Youth delegates are selected

n February

ct ppy:- Nominated by a member

organization o the SwedishNational Youth Council


- Fluent n Englsh

- Insight into and understandingo youth perspectives

- Strong active background inyouth organizations

- Experience with and knowledgeabout the Swedish NationalYouth Council (LSU)

- Willing to be a resource personor the member organizationso the LSU


53/64

39

Before The inTergoVernmenTal meeTing: The youthdelegates eet wth the mnstry of Foregn Affars, the LSU

and ormer youth delegates to gather inputs about the work

o the United Nations. They undertake research o old resolu-

tions and other relevant background inormation. The youth

delegates also write articles, take part in various conerences

and participate in preparatory meetings traditionally organ-

zed by the European Youth Foru. The youth delegates also

participate in online discussions with the other youth del-

egates prior to the intergovernmental meeting.

aT The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegates role is

to be a resource or the Swedish Mission on youth perspec-tes, and s/he s asked to deler a stateent to the General

Asseblys Thrd Cottee. S/he also takes part n nforal

consultations on youth resolutions and ollows other discus-

sions on topics covered during the General Assembly. The

youth delegate is at the General Assembly or two weeks.

When reTurning home: When returning home, theyouth delegates ollow up with a report to the LSU to brie it

aT The commiSSion on SuSTainaBledeVeloPmenT: The youth delegate is parto the ocial delegation but also represents

youth as part o the children and youth major

group (Children and Youth Caucus). The youth

delegate attends delegation meetings (and

the European coordination meetings), ollows

consultations and assists in the work o the

Permanent Mission o Sweden. The work

(or the Children and Youth Caucus) is moredependent on the priorities o the caucus and

can include speechwriting, organizing side

events and writing articles.


54/64

40

on the experiences gained at the intergovernmental meet-

ing. The youth delegates travel around to visit schools and

member organizations o the LSU to share experiences and

the outcomes o youth resolutions at the United Nations.

funding: The Swedish Government and the National YouthCouncil o Swedish Youth Organizations cover expenses re-

lated to the preparatory meeting organized by the Euro-

pean Youth Foru. The Swedsh Goernent also coers ex-

penses related to the intergovernmental meeting, including

the cost o travel, ood and accommodation.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process and the

Swedish youth delegate programme, please visit the NationalCouncil o Swedish Youth Organizations (LSU) at www.lsu.se


55/64

41

SWiTzerland

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe Swiss National Youth Council (SNYC). In response to a call

or applications, interested candidates submit a motivation

letter and a Cv to the SNYC. A certan nuber of canddates

are then invited to an interview with representatives rom

the Foregn mnstry and the SNYC and forer youth del-

exst s:2003


Assembly, the Commission

or Social Development, theCommission on the Status

o Women, the Alliance oClzatons Foru, the UNFCCC

Conerence o Parties, the UnitedNations Educational, Scientic

and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO) Youth Foru and the

Human Rights Council in Geneva

c ppt:Noeber/Deceber

nb yt ts:3. Each year the Swiss NationalYouth Council together with the

mnstry of Foregn Affars decdes

which three conerences to send

youth delegates to

lt t:2 years. During the rst year theyouth delegate takes on an active

role by attending intergovernmental

meetings and working on national

projects, including awareness-raising

activities to inorm Swiss youth about

the UN. During the second year the

youth delegate acts as a mentor and

support or the next youth delegate

ct ppy:

- Availability or 2 years

- Knowledge o at least twonatonal languages (French,German, Italian or Rhaeto-Romanic), one active, onepassive, as well as English

- Background in working withyouth organizations or youthprojects as a volunteer

- Declared interest and know-

ledge o international aairsand the United Nations


- Commitment to work approxi-mately 6 hours per week orthe project

Vs pss:A2 visa


56/64

42

egates. The nterew contans questons n Geran, French

and English about personal motivation, experience in volun-

teer work, the work o the United Nations and youth issues.

Ater the interview, three youth delegates are selected, and

the mnstry of Foregn Affars, together wth the SNYC, de-

cides which intergovernmental meeting the youth delegates

will be attending. Normally, each youth delegate can at-

tend one meeting. The selection committee tries to select a

gender- and language-balanced team. The youth delegates

then receive several briengs rom the SNYC, the Ministry

of Foregn Affars and other releant nsttutons n order to

prepare them or their role as youth delegates and to inorm

them about youth issues and the work o the dierent de-partments in the area o youth.

Before The inTergoVernmenTal meeTing: The youthdelegates travel around the country to visit secondary

schools, NGOs and youth organizations to organize work-

shops, meetings and conerences. Each year the three youth

delegates select a common theme in regard to youth issues,

and work together to plan the national activities. The youth

delegates also prepare their position, together with theSNYC, prepare a statement to the General Assembly (when

possible), amiliarize themselves with earlier resolutions

on youth, participate in online dialogues and take part in

preparatory meetings with the Swiss delegation. The SNYC

supports the youth delegates throughout the year. The youth

delegates meet every two months with the SNYC to inorm

it about their ongoing work. The youth delegate attending

the General Assembly takes part in a preparatory meeting

that s tradtonally organzed by the European Youth Foru.

aT The inTergoVernmenTal meeTing: The youth del-egate is an ocial member o the national delegation and

works on youth-related ssues. S/he partcpates n nforal

consultations on youth resolutions, attends other discus-

sions, and can usually deliver a statement to the Third Com-

mittee o the General Assembly. During the General Assem-


57/64

43

bly, the youth delegate also organizes a side event and a

working breakast at the Swiss Mission.

When reTurning home: When returning home, the role

o the youth delegates is to share the experiences rom theintergovernmental meeting through workshops and orums

with various NGOs, schools and youth organizations as well

as to ollow up and report on the discussions at the inter-

governmental meeting. The youth delegates also have the

responsibility to support, select and act as a mentor or the

next youth delegates during the ollowing year.

funding: The Swss Foregn mnstry coers soe expenses

related to the activities in Switzerland, as well as the cost otravel and accommodation or the intergovernmental meet-

ing. The Swiss National Youth Council covers the costs or

national projects. The SNYC receives its unds rom dierent

oundations.

The youth delegates have to cover a part o their subsistence

expenses, as well as telephone use while out on the road or

at the intergovernmental meeting.

conTacT: To learn more about the selection process andthe Swiss youth delegate programme please visit the Swiss

National Youth Council at www.youthrep.ch


58/64

44

Thailand

SelecTion ProceSS: The selection process is organized bythe Bureau o International Cooperation, which is part o

the Ministry o Education. The process begins with a call

or applications. Interested candidates have to submit a

short essay on human rights and childrens rights, a letter ootaton, Cv, grade transcrpt and, f they are students,

proo o enrolment. Those who qualiy or the next round

are selected or a group discussion, during which the

selected candidates have to debate an unknown subject

related to general human rights issues in ront o a jury

including representatives rom the Ministry o Education,

the Bureau o International Cooperation and one NGO. The

most successul candidates are then selected or an inter-

view with questions concerning the United Nations in gen-eral in both English and Thai.

Before The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegatesmeet with the Bureau o International Cooperation and

take part in the delegations preparatory activities beore

attending the General Assembly. The youth delegates

also prepare the statement to be delivered at the Third Com-

exst s:2007


Assembly

c ppt:January

nb yt ts:2 (gender-balanced)

lt t:2 weeks during the General

Assembly

ct ppy:

- No older than 24 years

- Experience working on youth issues

- Some English required

Vs pss:G2 visa


59/64

45

mittee o the General Assembly and read background mate-

rial related to youth, such as reports, national policies and

earlier resolutions.

aT The general aSSemBlY: The youth delegates delivera speech to the Third Committee, take part in inormal ne-

gotiations, attend meetings, take notes and organize side

events.

When reTurning home: When returning home, the roleo the youth delegates is to share the experiences rom the

General Assembly with other youth and to write a report

about their experiences.

funding: The Thai Government nances the trip, accom-modation and subsistence expenses during the intergovern-

mental meeting.


60/64


61/64

47

for more informaTion on TheinTernaTional Year of YouTh, ViSiT:

socal.un.org/youthyearfacebook.co/UNyouthyear

twtter.co/UNyouthyear

o tt:

United Nations Programme on Youth

2 UN Plaza, 13th Floor

New York, NY 10017, USA

Fax: +1-212-963-0111

E-mail: [email protected]


62/64

48


63/64

49


64/64

www.socal.un.org/youthyear

youth delegate

Documents