Today started off quite cold so I instinctively grabbed my coat from the room before departing our hotel. This was a misguided presumption, however, as the weather brightened up considerably after the early morning and it became a really nice day.

We had a slightly later start, heading over to the UK Mission around nine to work on plans for the side event we’ll be holding at the UN on Tuesday. It’s on the theme of youth participation and citizenship and we’re hoping to have a set of recommendations on this at the end of the meeting, after splitting the attendees up into three groups to work on it. There will also be two guest speakers and the three of us will be making presentations on the key findings of our consultation in each WPAY cluster area.

Mine is ‘Youth in civil society: environment, leisure and participation’ and it’s pretty much my specialist area. Since we’re focussing on participation in the side event, here are some of the interesting results we had from respondents to our survey:
- 94% supported the idea of sending youth delegates to the UN
- 91% believed opportunities for youth participation in decision-making of government-supported organisations should be strengthened
- 74% thought youth participation helps strengthen commitment to and understanding of human rights and democracy
- 53% believed young people are apathetic

The issue of youth apathy is of particular interest to me and that’s what I’ve decided to focus on in my section of the side event on Tuesday. I believe that the problem has the form of a vicious circle (see the diagram above, sorry it's not very clear). The root of it lies in the unwillingness of politicians to engage with the youth population, mostly because many of us are under the age of 18 – our views don’t matter in the political arena because there’s nothing to gain from our support. This means we aren’t interested in voting and leads to low turnout figures of just over a third in the 18-24 age group (35% and 37% in the last two general elections). The whole circular process then starts again after elections because the politicians don’t see any point in making efforts with people who probably won’t vote in large enough numbers to make a difference the next time round.

It will be very interesting to see how people from different countries (hopefully) attending the side event will react to the findings and I’m also looking forward to hearing about apathy situations from other parts of the world. Judging by people I’ve discussed it with so far, the UK isn’t the only place facing this widespread disengagement and disillusionment of youth with democracy, political processes and society in general.

Anyway, after working on this for an hour or so, the three of us headed over to around 40th street to sit in on the EU co-ordination meeting. This was very interesting; as I explained previously, European Union countries usually withhold from speaking in the informal negotiations, waiting until these separate opportunities to voice their opinions on the youth resolution. So this was basically a continuation of the previous day, with the lady from Portugal’s Mission, which is in charge of the drafting process, inviting feedback on the latest version of the resolution and noting down potential changes. The other main issue which sufficed in this meeting was on human rights and whether or not provisions for underage young people engaging in sexual intercourse should be primarily targeted at females – the other option being to make it non-gender specific. A few states were strongly advocating one side or another and the debate lasted quite a while, with the Chair from the UK having to continuously suggest possible compromises.

After this we had lunch and returned to the Mission to finalise plans for the side event. Once this was done, I worked on some possible text I’d like to see in the youth resolution on the subject of youth-led development. Young people have such a crucial role to play in the Millennium Development Goals and it’s just not recognised to the extent it should be. People don’t realise that these eight ambitious targets simply cannot be reached without the full involvement of youth and that’s what I’ll be trying to get into the resolution.

At around 2.30 we went over to the UN building and met up with a couple of other youth delegates in the Vienna Café, before going outside to a pre-arranged gathering point at 3pm and meeting a few more. It was great to see the people I’d first met in Sweden again – they’re a really committed group and what’s even more exciting is that this year there will be many more! Numbers of youth delegates have smashed previous records, with around 50 listed on the UN youth programme website last time I checked.

Next week is going to be absolutely fantastic with all these young people around, although one thing I’ve been pleasantly surprised at in the UN is the low number of elderly people. Linking back to the apathy theme, I think one of the main reasons why young people are turned off politics is the impression they have of it being old men with grey hair sitting in meetings all day. This definitely isn’t the case at the UN and I’m very happy about that.

The group went and sat in a pleasant outdoor café near the UN and we discussed plans for another side event, which it was decided in Sweden that we would host. It’s taking place on Monday and the preparations are a little late to start, but I’m not too worried because I believe in these people and know we’ll be just fine. The event will be themed around the five new priority areas of the WPAY and we plan to hold discussion sessions on each of them.

When it got too cold outside we moved to the UK delegation hotel and the plush club room, where coffee and couches were on offer and provided a much nicer location in which to work. After we’d done about as much as we could do then, I had a brief stop-off in my room to change clothes and headed out to a local bar for an informal meeting of NGO youth reps.

This gathering was a very smart idea, but unfortunately the venue was a little loud and crowded (typical Friday night in NYC). It was still good though: a valuable opportunity to meet some of the other young people the national youth delegates will be working with next week. Last time I heard, the UN youth programme were estimating numbers of NGO youth reps to be around the 150 mark!

I left the bar at around eight and went back to the hotel to meet Keeley. From there we spent a frustratingly long time trying to get a cab over to Greenwich Village, where one of the UK Mission’s Third Committee members was hosting a party for international colleagues. It was good to see all the diplomats putting aside their differences and socialising with each other in what appeared to be a perfectly friendly way. Thankfully it was a pleasant evening as the party, arranged as part of the UK’s presidency of the EU, was happening in the garden of this nice basement apartment.

My second day at the UN wasn’t quite as action-packed or busy as the first, but it was very important to put in the time planning our side event. Making this successful is a big priority – it’s a great opportunity to present the findings of our questionnaire on the WPAY and everything going well in the interactive sessions will surely play a big part in encouraging the UK to send more youth delegates in future years.

After hastily purchasing milk and a box of cereal for breakfast and taking it back to my rather luxurious room at the Hotel Affinia 50, I met up with Keeley and Kris in the main lobby.

It was a short walk to the UK Mission, situated on the 28th floor of number one Dag Hammerskjold Plaza. From that high up we had spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline - even though it was all looking a little grey, with the weather seeming unable to decide whether it was to be rain or shine.

We had a bit of both; as we approached the main UN building for a tour of the premises the heavens started opening. Luckily we got inside before the downpour really began. Although I'd done the tourists' tour before, this one was much better: the UK Mission's Third Committee expert Tom gave us lots of extra details and we even got to go inside the Security Council chamber.

Following this, we headed back to the Mission for a brief meeting with the UK's Ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry (who we'd seen making a statement in the Plenary Hall earlier). He was a fascinating man, outlining to us his aims and achievements regarding the terrible poverty situation in Africa among other things. I got the impression that, although many modern-day politicians/diplomats are good at talking the talk, here was one who wanted to take the lead in action and really work for a better world.

Our afternoon agenda consisted of an 'informal' meeting in a UN conference room where the youth resolution was being discussed and negotiated. It was a very intensive session, but thankfully did not run to its full three hour allocation.

A lot of the national representatives present were quibbling at certain aspects of wording in the 13 paragraphs and it was hugely interesting to see which countries were bringing up which points. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to speak in the meeting - the UK's presidency of the EU means any statement made by our representatives is on behalf of all 25 member states. Additionally, the fact that Portugal are managing this particular resolution means EU countries don't really contribute in the informals - their points can be raised in separate co-ordination meetings.

So, the end of day one. I didn't really know what to expect, but I was excited anyway and really happy to be in NYC again. However, what is now clearer than ever is that to manage to influence anything which happens in the UN will be very difficult. Difficult though, not impossible. I truly believe that if this year's record number of youth reps can work together as a team and be organised with our plans, we can succeed in making a significant contribution.

The three UK Youth Delegates to the UNGA60 have a group blog: check out http://www.tigblog.org/group/ukyouthreps

It's nearly time to head off to New York for the UN General Assembly - just a week left - and I can't quite believe how fast the time has gone. I can still remember receiving a call from the foreign ministry and being overjoyed at getting an interview. I can still remember the happiness of hearing that I'd been successfully selected, but equally the sorrow that one of my very good friends had not been chosen alongside me.

The last few months have been absolutely frantic, definitely the busiest period of my short life to date. At times I've felt like there's been too much happening for me to cope with, but nevertheless believe that it's important to be an active citizen and work for the good of society.

Tonight I'm in a very contemplative mood. On the bus returning home from my new job as Participation Support Worker for Hounslow youth council I had a truly fascinating conversation with one colleague. She's had a very tough life and people never expected her to get to where she is now, for a variety of reasons. It was this knowledge which motivated her to work harder and achieve more.

But the main theme of our conversation was the level of luxury that citizens of developed countries enjoy and often take for granted. In the youth council meeting earlier, all participants agreed that one of the major problems in British society at the moment is widespread disengagement of youth and our resulting apathy about democratic processes and politics in general.

While we worry about problems like this and ponder on possible solutions, people in developing countries cannot afford to even think about anything like it because of their everyday struggles against disease, poverty and oppression. Their version of a major political dilemma is the fact that many states are subject to horrific and tyrannical dictatorships, totalitarian regimes - while all the while, here in the UK, we're talking about how we want to help young people get more involved.

People need to think about their own lives in a wider global context. My recent experiences with youth from all over the world have taught me this. Too many of us take the simplest things for granted; we can go and have a drink of water, throw half the cup away when our thirst is quenched and move on to the next thing without even thinking. We can absent-mindedly misplace a pen or other seemingly insignificant everyday item and not worry about it, knowing there's always a supply of more.

These are the things people often do not realise are actually luxuries. Simple things. Things which seem like they're just normal. Next time you're doing something like this, please consider your priveleged position. Remember that the very essence of a civilised life in a developed country is a gift and be grateful for it. And please use this status to try and help others less fortunate than you whenever possible.

My realisation of this over the past few months has helped me work harder, just as it did with my colleague from the youth council. It may have been the busiest period of my life so far, and I may have become almost overrun at times, but it's been an unbelievable experience and hopefully will get even better.

The UN is going to be a massive challenge, there's no denying that. However, it will also be an awesome learning experience and that's something for which I really cannot wait. But one thing I'm going to remember every day, for the rest of my life, is just how lucky I am.

Another great trip to Scandinavia, unequally proportioned between business and pleasure. The Helsinki Youth Conference, which featured young people from all corners of the globe, was a memorable experience.

We worked for the first two days on a set of proposals based on different areas of the UN World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), which was then promoted to the 'grown-up' politicians at the real Helsinki Conference. Taking place at the Finlandia Hall, we were lucky enough to have a 'Youth Corner' all of our own. We used it to maximum effect, really raising awareness of the problems which affect modern-day youth.

The major achievement was to promote young people's issues, which we approached from a truly international perspective thanks to the diversity in participants of our youth conference. The politicians, decision-makers and NGO reps really took notice of what we had to say.

That is the reason why everyone I met in Helsinki are heroes. We worked incredibly hard and reaped the rewards. Many people we spoke to at the Youth Corner were visiting the Helsinki Conference to research how major diplomatic events should be held in preparation for their own. Now they have been made interested in having youth representation and have vowed to guarantee it.

As for Tallinn, I had actually flown in on Saturday before taking the ferry to Helsinki. I returned again a week later and had a fantastic time. It's such a beautiful city, with striking medieval architecture in pastel colours and cathedral spires to admire from any distance as they loom over rambling rooftops.

This ancient charm, however, was at something of a paradox with the widespread dominance of modern tourism in the city. Souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and hotels were everywhere to be seen. The reliance of Tallinn's economy on this industry was all too clear.

But this did at least provide diversity in entertainment and the nightlife was truly excellent. I met a great variety of people again and will never forget the good times we had.

I would heavily recommend both destinations to anyone, particularly in a combination trip like I had. The two cities are fascinatingly different for places so close together; these two former Soviet states have developed in different ways since achieving independence.

Coming back to London after an eventful week-and-a-bit, I had a great feeling of satisfaction - as well as tiredness! But I cannot overemphasise how wonderful Helsinki and Tallinn are. In short: unforgettable.