Charting a Path: Insights from the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum

In the bustling heart of Paris, at the UNESCO Headquarters, the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum convened on November 14-15, 2023, concurrent with the General Conference. Serving as the beacon of youth representation, New Humanity’s delegate, Melissa Mejía Flórez, stood at the forefront as the selected nominee of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, embodying the spirit of #SharingHumanity. This biennial gathering, a tradition since 1999, not only allows the youth to vocalize their challenges but also offers a platform to present innovative ideas and solutions directly to Member States. 

 The UNESCO Youth Forum  

Crafted by and for the youth, the UNESCO Youth Forum is orchestrated by the Social and Human Sciences Sector. It provides a dynamic space for engagement, discussion, and debate, allowing young minds to share their recommendations and solutions with Member States during the esteemed UNESCO General Conference. 

Focus of the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum 

The Social Impacts of Climate Change and the need to achieve an equitable climate transition  

This year’s forum tackled the pressing issue of the Social Impacts of Climate Change and the imperative of achieving an equitable climate transition. With young people boldly asserting that their future is at risk due to climate change, the forum assumed a critical role in shaping discussions around the future of humanity, particularly for the youth. 

Nomination and Representation 

Each participating Member State nominates a youth representative, and although NGOs are not directly invited, the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee was invited for the first time to nominate a youth representative to represent the Youth of those NGOs. In this case, Melissa, the representative of New Humanity with the Paris delegation, was chosen, marking not just a significant responsibility with the NGO-Youth Steering Group, but a testament to the appreciation and value accorded to the work of the Paris team and the New Humanity NGO. 

Preparatory Sessions and Objectives  

In the lead-up to the forum, preparatory sessions were conducted virtually from August onwards, involving over 170 young participants from five regions. These sessions focused on four key objectives: youth creation and knowledge dissemination, proposed youth actions responding to local challenges, strengthening youth capacities, and ensuring youth voices reach decision-makers. 

Key Recommendations and Solutions  

The main goal was to identify actionable recommendations and youth-led solutions, focusing on areas such as effective youth engagement, sustainable communities, skills development for a green and blue economy, ethical digital solutions, and the protection of human rights. These recommendations formed the foundation of a two-page document, symbolizing the collaborative effort to address the social impact of climate change. Also, a one-page per region was drafted and delivered. 

“I would like to encapsulate the essence of the forum, highlighting the three-month journey of crafting recommendations and solutions. It was a great challenge but what I could appreciate in substance was the promotion of constructive and positive exchanges within a diverse group, grounded in the significance each country and region places on the climate crisis and actively addressing solutions to a more conscious, caring, fair, equal and sustainable future. What I take from this experience and will promote within the NGO-Youth Steering Group and my own NGO the importance of respectful discussions, recognizing that every contribution is a step towards an infinite array of possibilities for fostering dialogue, debate, and the exchange of ideas advocating for human fraternity and for sure future collaboration on concrete practices”. Melissa Mejía Flórez

Conclusion 

The 13th UNESCO Youth Forum stands as a significant milestone in the ongoing global discourse on climate change. Through shared experiences, dialogues, and a commitment to finding innovative solutions, participants showcased the power of unity in addressing pressing global challenges. Melissa’s journey exemplifies the ethos of New Humanity, paving the way for continued collaboration in the pursuit of an equitable and sustainable climate transition. As the forum concluded, the echoes of these discussions reverberated, leaving an indelible mark on the collective commitment towards a shared and just future.