As they begin their 2024-2025 mandates as United Nations Youth Delegates for Ireland, Lauren Jones Brennan and Natasha Maimba took some time to reflect on the opportunity, look at Ireland’s standing on the international stage, and identify their objectives for the year ahead.
If you would like to contact Lauren and Natasha, please do so via unyouth@nyci.ie. Find out more about the UN Youth Delegate programme.
On the 10th anniversary of Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate programme, we are deeply honoured to have been selected to represent the voices of Ireland’s young people at the United Nations. This role is more than a privilege – it is a powerful responsibility.
Though our individual journeys have been unique, they converge in a shared history of passionate activism, a steadfast commitment to justice, and an unwavering belief that young people are the catalysts for ingenuity and innovation. Young people present both the solution and the solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, both nationally and internationally.
As we begin our mandates, we are aware of the gravity of this role. Not only do we represent the young people of today, but we have the incredible ability to influence outcomes for the generations of tomorrow. In line with the UN’s Summit of the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations, we are dedicated to initiatives and policies that are forward thinking, sustainable and most importantly centered around the needs of young people. We are excited to build on the legacy of previous UNYDs and represent the voices of young people from across Ireland on the global stage.
As Youth Delegates, one of our top priorities is advocating for peace. We are proud of the legacy Ireland has maintained throughout history, especially at the UN, in being a champion of peace and justice. As a nation that has emerged from its own complex history of conflict, with two jurisdictions on one island, we have a rich legacy of supporting oppressed people – from South Africa to Palestine – and have always recognised the importance of unity and peace. We believe that in order to uphold this legacy internationally, we must continue to be one step ahead of Peace and Security strategies. This is why we are determined to bring the creation of a Youth, Peace, and Security National Action Plan to the forefront of Ireland’s agenda. This plan is crucial for recognising and empowering young people, the future leaders of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and fostering a more stable and just society. We are committed to ensuring that youth voices are central to these critical discussions and actions, so that Ireland can continue to lead by example in the pursuit of sustainable peace.
In addition, we are committed to enhancing inclusivity and diversity in youth participation. We plan to undertake outreach work and engage on issues of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that our work resonates with young people from all backgrounds and regions. Our focus includes strengthening connections with countries in the Global South, where youth face unique challenges but also hold immense agency to enact change. Their voices must be integral to international policy discussions, and we are dedicated to advocating for their inclusion.
We see ourselves as an amplifier of the diverse voices of young people in Ireland and we will prioritise and encourage the active engagement of young people from every part of Ireland, including minorities, those with disabilities, youth in Northern Ireland, and young people who are the most disenfranchised in our country. We will engage directly with schools, universities, community centres, youth groups, youth organisations and NGOs. We believe that the meaningful inclusion of young people is vital in promoting fully functioning and flourishing nations across the world.
We look forward to collaborating with all young people in Ireland, uniting our voices to drive meaningful change on the global stage, and contributing to a better future for everyone.
Find out more about the UN Youth Delegate programme.
