Written by Louise Miolin – Country To Canberra Teen Blogger
At the beginning of this month, I had a life changing five days. As part of the Western Australian Delegation for the United Nations Youth National Conference (what a mouthful!) I flew to Brisbane for a week of eye opening workshops, incredibly engaging guest speakers, panels and model United Nations debates. In amongst all this, friendships were fostered, bonds were made, and I connected with people whom I know I will treasure for a lifetime.
UN Youth is an organisation run by young people, for young people, and that is what makes it so valuable. As a young person, especially one living in a rural area, it can be very easy to feel as if your passion for social change, your views and your ideas are neglected. UN Youth however, brings together hoards of passionate and inspiring teenagers with powerful ideas and attitudes, and gives them a forum in which to nourish their concepts and interests.
So often, young people are precluded from political discussions and social decision-making. We’re told that we are the “leaders of tomorrow”, but our voices aren’t heard on issues that will hugely affect our future. As a result, it seems that young people are disengaged with the political and social system; we’ll mindlessly stick to the status quo, because we’re just kids, and we can’t make a difference, right?
Un Youth proves that notion entirely wrong. It is so refreshing to connect with a network of Australian youths who will be and are already becoming powerful advocates for social change. These are people who are exploring and helping solve societal issues in their cities and towns, and who are dedicated to working towards equality.
On the three and a half hour drive home from the airport last weekend, I was bursting with all sorts of emotions. Not only were there tears because I already missed the rest of my delegation so much (seriously, its uncanny how much you can bond in a week), but there was also a sense of renewed faith in Australia’s youth. Young people across Australia and across the world will change the world; we have the capacity, the passion and the means to. We don’t have to be just the leaders of tomorrow; we can be the leaders of today.