From the UNYA website

In 1999, the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) prepared a proposal outlining the need for a Youth Representative in Australia’s Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This proposal was based on the fact that the General Assembly had passed numerous resolutions calling for youth representation at the highest level decision-making meetings and those Member States with existing Youth Representatives (primarily the Scandinavian countries) found that the insight provided by young people was highly valuable. UNYA’s presentation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer, was successful, and that year, Australia’s first Youth Representative was included in Australia’s Delegation to UNGA as a fully accredited member.

Why a Youth Representative?
Young people are the agents, beneficiaries and victims of social, economic, environmental, legal and technological change. Whether youth seek to be integrated into the existing society, or serve to transform that society, they deserve, as young adults, to have their views represented and acted upon. In addition to their intellectual contribution and their ability to mobilise support, young people bring unique perspectives that can help find solutions to the many problems they face now and in the future.

In particular, as justice between present and future generations is recognised as the fundamental base of sustainable development, young people should participate in the decisions taken today about the world they will inherit and pass on to the next generation.

Of course, the inclusion of Youth Representatives also gives a far greater legitimacy to the Australian Government and the United Nations in general, when claiming to represent “We the peoples..”

The main goal of a Youth Representative should be to ensure that the voice of youth is heard and to draw the attention of Member States to young people and their concerns. Young people must be recognised not only as future leaders, but also as actors of society today.

The Role of the Youth Representative
The 2004 Youth Representative will travel to New York City, where they will be based for approximately two months in Australia’s Mission to the UN, just a few blocks from the United Nations itself.

The Youth Representative is quite distinct from the interns who work in Australia’s Mission to the UN, who act as individuals, rather than as representatives of youth. The position entails more than the chance for a young Australian to see first hand the workings of the United Nations. The key task of the Youth Representative is to act as a consultant on youth opinion, especially in regards to those issues which most closely effect the youth of Australia. The Youth Representative is bound by Australian Government policy while speaking on behalf of Australia, but should have valid input into discussions formulating that policy.

Further Queries
For any further information, please visit UNYA’s website or email the National President, Travers McLeod or call him on 0421 034 648 .