It has been a long and busy day, all started with s delicious breakfast with Romulo and Dorina. Great way to start the day, full of energy. Although exhausted and probably still a bit jet lagged (my body woke at 3am local time), it was a day full of emotions. Nerves and excitement; that up and down feeling of a rollercoaster. As soon as we were sat in the room (with our names on our seats) it became apparent, everyone in the room, despite the titles, we were all just people all there for the same reason. To try and make the SDGs a reality and look at how we work with young people to ensure they are achieved.
One comment from the start of the day, the "Setting the Scene" Interactive (by interactive, they mean pre selected people with prepared statements to stick to time) discussion that stuck with me was one of the opening comments from Guy Ryder, Director General, International Labour Organisation. He was speaking about the 10 things people get wrong about young people. His first, and in my opinion, most important; we talk about young people being the leaders of tomorrow. this is wrong because they are a reality today. They are here in the room today. They are taking up leadership positions all over the world today. For me, there is no clearer image of this when you look at the number of young people taking up leadership in the YMCA - it may not be a paid position, but that doesn't change the fact that it is leadership! Mr Ryder raised a number of other extremely valid points including "we should work for young people" (correction, we should work WITH young people), "young people need support" (correction, we need investment).
Throughout the morning there were many valid points raised by key speakers and member nations. The one question I would pose them is; it is very well to sit in a comfy room and speak about these things but what about doing something to make them a reality?? There were some concrete examples of nations doing this from Cambodia, Costa Rica, Singapore to name a few. All interesting stuff...
The afternoon was in breakout groups looking at some of the key issues in the SDGs. I choose SDG 5 - Gender Equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Now this is a hot topic for most and I do not want to go into the detail of all the discussions - if you are really interested I suggest you look on the UN ECOSOC website for the key notes. I am going to talk about what I took away from it; gender equality is not a woman's issue but a humanity one! Gender equality is not about talking about the violence and oppression in all it's shapes and sizes with women - women know what is happening to them. Most know about the issues our gender is facing all over the world; from acid attacks, rape to FGM. It is about equality - this means talking to all about it. Teaching young boys and girls about it from a young age and how to challenge it in their societies to bring about change. Throughout the conversation and the discussions about what work needs to be done or is being done, I was amazed to think that the YMCA is doing this already - yes we need to do more with everyone else, but we have started. From projects in India, to Africa even to work in hostels in England. We are doing something to address the inequalities faced by women on a daily basis. Something to be proud of that's for sure!
At the end of a long day, nothing better than enjoying a drink at the South Korea embassy hosted by the Secretary General of the ECOSOC Youth Forum! Chatting to different people about the work the YMCA does on such a grand scale. And a cheeky selfies with the UN Secretary's General Special Envoy on Youth; Mr Ahmad Alhendawi..
Another full day tomorrow starting at 6.30am for breakfast before moderating the side event panel discussion on research where World YMCA is discussing our One Million Voices Project. Stay tuned for more on that... nervous!!!
One comment from the start of the day, the "Setting the Scene" Interactive (by interactive, they mean pre selected people with prepared statements to stick to time) discussion that stuck with me was one of the opening comments from Guy Ryder, Director General, International Labour Organisation. He was speaking about the 10 things people get wrong about young people. His first, and in my opinion, most important; we talk about young people being the leaders of tomorrow. this is wrong because they are a reality today. They are here in the room today. They are taking up leadership positions all over the world today. For me, there is no clearer image of this when you look at the number of young people taking up leadership in the YMCA - it may not be a paid position, but that doesn't change the fact that it is leadership! Mr Ryder raised a number of other extremely valid points including "we should work for young people" (correction, we should work WITH young people), "young people need support" (correction, we need investment).
Throughout the morning there were many valid points raised by key speakers and member nations. The one question I would pose them is; it is very well to sit in a comfy room and speak about these things but what about doing something to make them a reality?? There were some concrete examples of nations doing this from Cambodia, Costa Rica, Singapore to name a few. All interesting stuff...
The afternoon was in breakout groups looking at some of the key issues in the SDGs. I choose SDG 5 - Gender Equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Now this is a hot topic for most and I do not want to go into the detail of all the discussions - if you are really interested I suggest you look on the UN ECOSOC website for the key notes. I am going to talk about what I took away from it; gender equality is not a woman's issue but a humanity one! Gender equality is not about talking about the violence and oppression in all it's shapes and sizes with women - women know what is happening to them. Most know about the issues our gender is facing all over the world; from acid attacks, rape to FGM. It is about equality - this means talking to all about it. Teaching young boys and girls about it from a young age and how to challenge it in their societies to bring about change. Throughout the conversation and the discussions about what work needs to be done or is being done, I was amazed to think that the YMCA is doing this already - yes we need to do more with everyone else, but we have started. From projects in India, to Africa even to work in hostels in England. We are doing something to address the inequalities faced by women on a daily basis. Something to be proud of that's for sure!
At the end of a long day, nothing better than enjoying a drink at the South Korea embassy hosted by the Secretary General of the ECOSOC Youth Forum! Chatting to different people about the work the YMCA does on such a grand scale. And a cheeky selfies with the UN Secretary's General Special Envoy on Youth; Mr Ahmad Alhendawi..
Another full day tomorrow starting at 6.30am for breakfast before moderating the side event panel discussion on research where World YMCA is discussing our One Million Voices Project. Stay tuned for more on that... nervous!!!
Fantastic post Rachel.Great to get the updates. Really eager to hear how you get on Moderating the Panel on the One Million Voices Research.
ReplyDeleteRachel, you are amazing. keep flying the flag for all young people. thank you
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're having an amazing time. Well done Rach, keep up the good work! Look forward to hearing more about OMV - Sara (YMCATG) ��
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rachel,some very important issues being discussed. Very proud to work with you and witness your passion for young people and the YMCA first hand! (Marie)
ReplyDelete