Just before Christmas I was asked if I would be interested in a short gig... to New York! When informed it would be to represent World YMCA and YMCA England at the UN I was in shock! Of course I said YES! As I sit in Heathrow airport surrounded by many different people going on holiday, returning home from holiday, may a few business trips mixed in with them I still feel like this isn't really happening!
The World YMCA will be attending the UN ECOSCO Youth Forum to talk about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to think with other young people from Member States about how we bring these SDGs off the paper and into reality. Not a small task then...
As well as that, we are there to talk about the YMCA One Million Voices Research - for those that don't know, the largest piece of research done into the needs of young people around the world. Also, to promote the message of youth empowerment - the young people of today are the ones that will be looking at the SDGs in 2030 to see if all of us can make them happen. How can we bring the SDGs to reality without the empowerment of young people all over the world?
Not all young people have the opportunity to speak at such events, they are the voices we need to listen too. Those are the young people that, some may argue, the SDGs apply most too. The changes that the SDGs are aiming for would affect these young people most. How do we hear those stories? How do we listen to their voices? Youth Empowerment...
I sit with anticipation, nerves, anxiety and excitement at the experience that lies ahead of me. One that no doubt will be once in a lifetime! I'm not completely sure what I expect... apart from maybe getting lost in New York somewhere! But I feel up for the challenge; learn, share, meet new people and catch up with friends, and spread the message of youth empowerment and the work of the YMCA all over the world.
The World YMCA will be attending the UN ECOSCO Youth Forum to talk about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to think with other young people from Member States about how we bring these SDGs off the paper and into reality. Not a small task then...
As well as that, we are there to talk about the YMCA One Million Voices Research - for those that don't know, the largest piece of research done into the needs of young people around the world. Also, to promote the message of youth empowerment - the young people of today are the ones that will be looking at the SDGs in 2030 to see if all of us can make them happen. How can we bring the SDGs to reality without the empowerment of young people all over the world?
Not all young people have the opportunity to speak at such events, they are the voices we need to listen too. Those are the young people that, some may argue, the SDGs apply most too. The changes that the SDGs are aiming for would affect these young people most. How do we hear those stories? How do we listen to their voices? Youth Empowerment...
I sit with anticipation, nerves, anxiety and excitement at the experience that lies ahead of me. One that no doubt will be once in a lifetime! I'm not completely sure what I expect... apart from maybe getting lost in New York somewhere! But I feel up for the challenge; learn, share, meet new people and catch up with friends, and spread the message of youth empowerment and the work of the YMCA all over the world.
