It's been nearly a year since the 3rd World Youth Congress at Stirling University in Scotland - an amazing occasion. It was also the first thing I wrote about in this blog!
During the event I did lots of media work including film, writing and photography. Here's a short video I made with a friend:
It really helps me remember all those great times!
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.
I always expected the 'Informal Preparatory Gathering' for UN youth representatives to be an intensive affair. Taking place in Uppsala, Sweden, this was a chance to discover a new place at the same time as doing important work to further the cause of youth issues on the international agenda.
My first impressions of the country were largely weather-related. On the bus to Uppsala from Arlanda Airport in Stockholm it was almost like being back at home (apart from the scenic surroundings of forests, woods and hillsides!). Skies were grey at first, it rained for about five minutes, then the sun came out. Throughout the weekend conditions continued to vary massively - it could be cold, warm, humid, sunny, windy or wet all in the same day!
When it came to matters of work, this was a truly global gathering. Youth reps from Norway, Ghana, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Finland, Germany and, of course, Sweden, were all in attendance. My job at the gathering was difficult - as only one of the three UK youth delegates this year I had to continually take notes to pass back to the others and also remember to keep the team ethic in mind at all times, even though I was on my own.
The presentations, seminars and discussions we had were all equally invaluable. They included a series of talks from last year's Swedish youth delegate on protocol and procedure at the General Assembly, a lecture on Advocacy from an expert in that field and planning sessions for how we, the youth reps, would like to operate in New York.
Working at the UN is going to be an incredibly complicated business. There is so much to remember when lobbying and speaking to international diplomats. One of the most important things is the 'one minute pitch' we will have to use with most officials - if we can't grab their attention and interest quickly, we will get nowhere with our objectives.
My prediction that it's going to take a lot of hard work to be a successful youth rep has been proved correct. The only difference now is that I have guidance and information on exactly how to make that work effective, productive and profitable. This year it is likely that record numbers of UN member states will include a young person in their national delegation, I can't wait to meet all the others. We must form a cohesive, co-operative and organised unit to further the youth agenda in New York. The first steps on this path have now been made.
What did I expect when leaving London to embark on this two-week event, taking place in the picturesque highland town of Stirling, Scotland? Well, since I was to be working as a young journalist, the short answer is: stress!
And it must be said there was a fair bit of this during the Congress, especially with deadlines for the WYC newspaper 'Positive News' looming every day. But as much as journalists in general like to complain about these things, I have to say that when it comes to the Congress overall the positives far outweighed the negatives.
Nearly 600 of the world's most talented young people, from 126 countries, all in the same place at the same time. Just think about it for a second. The atmosphere of intensity was unbelievable: there was a feeling that everyone on the university campus could sense something special was happening.
For me one of the highlights was being able to discuss prevalent global issues with those they most affect. Poverty is a hugely important matter at the moment and to hear the views of those directly implicated by the problem was absolutely fascinating. So often in developed countries it is politicians, decision-makers and 'celebrities' who speak about the plights of the world, without having ever experienced it themselves. The World Youth Congress was a perfect chance to look beyond this, to delve deeper, to discover what it's really like.
Aside from all the serious work going on at the WYC, quality entertainment was provided for its attendees. The Global Village evening gave people the chance to learn about many different cultures - the huge tennis centre was filled with delegates' displays on their homelands. The Scottish 'Ceilidh' night was somewhat less exotic, but an equally valuable cultural experience. My personal highlight was the Cultural Fusion performance, which featured an array of acts from across the globe. From the outstandingly disciplined Burundian drummers to the hypnotic, mesmerising Indian dance, this was truly an evening of education as well as entertainment.
So, on the whole, how can I sum up the Congress? How can such a diverse event be effectively summarised? I think the closest I can get is by making reference to the WYC motto - 'Be the Change'. These three words portray the spirit of the Congress and convey its core message: young people, wherever we are, have the potential to achieve great things. We can change the world. We can do it now.
