{"id":61407,"date":"2015-09-12T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-12T15:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=0844d0b5b340fcb8a4b753ce68047385"},"modified":"2015-09-12T15:37:00","modified_gmt":"2015-09-12T15:37:00","slug":"press-release-young-people-to-be-part-of-uk-official-delegation-at-historic-un-meeting-for-the-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=61407","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Young people to be part of UK official delegation at historic UN meeting for the first time"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pictures from the #YouthSummit can be downloaded here: https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/dfid\/albums\/72157658056411228<\/a>
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Two young people have been selected to be part of the UK\u2019s official delegation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced today at the first Youth Summit held at the Department for International Development (DFID).<\/p>\n

This UN conference that will take place in New York later this month will see world leaders adopt the successor goals to the Millennium Development Goals. The new Global Goals will aim to finally eradicate extreme poverty.<\/p>\n

Designed for young people by young people, the Youth Summit gives them the chance to get their voices heard on the global issues they care about. Justine Greening will take these views to the UN, providing a platform for young people\u2019s voices on the world stage.<\/p>\n

International Development Secretary, Justine Greening said: <\/p>\n

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Globally, over 1.8 billion people in the world are aged between 10 and 24 \u2013 the vast majority are living in less developed countries and face uncertain futures. These young people can be the leaders, teachers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. There is no question they must be at the heart of our efforts to tackle global poverty.<\/p>\n

The plight of refugees and the horrors in Syria are at the forefront of everyone\u2019s mind. Over half of the 4 million registered refugees from Syria are children. Now more than ever it is vital that young people engage with the development challenges that the world faces, and that we listen to them.<\/p>\n

The face of development is a young face and the UK\u2019s first ever Youth Summit gives young people all over the world the chance to have their voices heard. But the journey doesn\u2019t end here. Young people will be at the centre of our work to create a world that is healthier, safer and more prosperous for everyone.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The two young delegates chosen as part of the UK\u2019s official delegation to UNGA are Ronagh Craddock, 25, from Newcastle and Arifa Nasim, 18, from London. The selection process focused on candidates\u2019 knowledge of the post-2015 processes, their experience being advocates for youth-led development and their ability to communicate confidently with diverse audiences.<\/p>\n

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\"Arifa<\/div>
Arifa is an activist and co-founder of Educate2Eradicate, a programme founded to educate young people and train professionals on the issues of FGM, forced marriage and Honour Based Violence. Picture: Matt Mee\/DFID<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\"Ronagh<\/div>
Ronagh has volunteered in Zimbabwe with Restless Development, where she led sessions with youth groups on entrepreneurship, HIV\/AIDS, gender equality and children\u2019s rights. Ronagh is also an active climate change advocate with the UK Youth Climate Coalition. Picture: Simon Davis\/DFID<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ronagh said:<\/p>\n

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While volunteering last year, I saw first-hand how unfair the lack of opportunities is for young Zimbabweans. But I also saw young people solving these problems. That\u2019s why this Youth Summit is so important and why I\u2019ll be speaking up for young people – so that we are heard and world leaders listen when they meet at the UN in September.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

At the Youth Summit, BBC Three Free Speech\u2019s Rick Edwards hosted a debate exploring education, employment, gender equality and climate change. Young people from around the world spoke out about their personal experiences overcoming marginalisation in their communities and workshops were held about how young people can take action, including how to tackle harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage. <\/p>\n

Journalist and TV presenter Rick Edwards said:<\/p>\n

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I\u2019m delighted to be a part of The Youth Summit. It\u2019s a generation-defining year for the world and it\u2019s absolutely vital that young people have their voices heard.<\/p>\n

I hope that this event helps draw more young people into being engaged with these big global issues like poverty and climate change.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Elsewhere at the Summit:<\/p>\n