As part of their roles as Youth Delegates from their respective countries, they were given the opportunity to address the assembly giving them an ideal platform to advocate for youth related issues tot decision makers from around the world. This year however they had an even more challenging task that is to assist in the drafting of the Youth Resolution on policies and programmes regarding youth that will be presented to the 64th General assembly. This years resolution was supported by member states notably Portugal, Moldova and Senegal.

In this respect the 3rd committee convenes every year to discuss various issues related to social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues that affect people all over the world. Governments over the years have increasingly recognized the importance of youth participation and over the years more and more youth are nominated to attend as official member state delegates. They attend not only to discuss matters that relate particularly to youth issues but also to give youth input on global issues as it is becoming more prevalent that decisions made by the governments today will be inherited by youth tomorrow.

The UN General assembly is one of the main bodies of the United Nations. One in which all the member nations have equal representation. It is usually held to oversee the budget, appoint non-permanent members to the Security Council and to give recommendations in the form of the General Assembly Resolutions. This annual forum is also an excellent platform to promote the voices of young people and their issues.

WOSM participates as an international youth non-governmental organization, World Scouting has held ECOSOC consultative status since 1947 and participates every year in different UN meetings, including the UN General Assembly that is held in New York.

More information:

Youth and the United Nations:

Speeches by Scout youth delegates for 2009 might be downloaded from the right hand menu bar