UN Youth Advisory Panel launched:
Fifteen young Sri Lankans to engage in the United Nations
The United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP), officially launched
on 7 April, is part of the wider UN-wide Action Plan on Youth to
establish direct linkages between youth and the UN Country Team (UNCT).
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Some of the youth who participated in the launch |
It was followed by a three-day orientation program in Colombo. UNYAP
brings together a group of fifteen Sri Lankan youth with a passion for
myriad aspects of development work. The panel, chosen after a
competitive process, will come together with the UN family in Sri Lanka
to support and advise the UNCT in its work through the perspective and
experiences of youth.
Working with and for youth is a priority for the United Nations both
globally and in Sri Lanka. Addressing the needs of youth is one of the
key priorities of the UN Secretary General. In realising this priority,
the UN Secretary General has taken three main steps. Firstly, he
appointed the first-ever Envoy on Youth, who visited Sri Lanka in July
2013, to bring voices of young people to the United Nations and to serve
as a link and harmoniser between UN agencies and young people. Secondly,
the UN Secretary General called for the development of a UN system-wide
Action Plan on Youth. Thirdly, the UN's Youth Volunteers modality
managed by United Nations Volunteers (UNV) was established to expand
opportunities for youth participation.
In this global context, the UNCT in Sri Lanka has decided to define
working with and for youth as an overarching priority. Therefore, a UN
Youth Mechanism (YM) co-chaired by UNV, United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was established to
facilitate a UN wide engagement in this priority area. One of the
innovative ideas realised through this mechanism is to establish the
UNYAP.
Commenting on the establishment of the UNYAP, Subinay Nandy, Resident
Coordinator of the United Nations System in Sri Lanka, said, "all our
agencies work with and on youth issues, and the Youth Advisory Panel
provides us with an excellent opportunity to hear young voices and
perceptions". Nandy commented further, "for us in the UN system in Sri
Lanka, the establishment of this panel is a significant step in
strengthening our engagement with youth, who we believe are a key
development partner in Sri Lanka".
The youth were selected from over 300 applications received across
the island. Commenting on being chosen for the UNYAP, and being part of
the orientation program, they expressed their high expectations and
passion.
Umesh Moramudali (23 years / Western Province / UNYAP representative
for Disabilities): "Getting selected to UNYAP was one of the most
delightful moments in my life! I believe that I can be a voice to people
with disabilities and ensure a better future for youth in Sri Lanka".
Ms. Shamen Kalanasuriya (23 years /Uva Province/ UNYAP representative
for Employment): "I was really excited to take part in this orientation.
It was wonderful meeting such talented and passionate young people from
across Sri Lanka. It was inspiring to see and hear about their work".
Thiveegabalan Chanthirakumar (27 years / Northern Province/ UNYAP
representative for Sports, Arts and Entertainment): "This was a very
fruitful orientation program. Learning about the UN system and the UN
Youth Mechanism was very helpful for all of us to understand how the UN
works and to plan to work with and for young people in Sri Lanka".
Ms. Aisha Nazim (23 years / Western Province/ UNYAP representative
for Media): "With the UNYAP, I hope to make youth understand the beauty
of diversity and help them become more tolerant, open minded and
understanding of other people and different cultures".
Members of the UNYAP represent diverse sectors, such as
entrepreneurship, health, social work, academia, and gender equality.
They also represent a wide range of geographic districts, including
Jaffna, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo.
Courtesy: Asian Tribune
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