Clara at #UNGA: UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocate attends the Summit of the Future and Youth Mobilisation Lab

Written by Clara, 17, UNICEF Canada Youth Advocate

UNICEF Canada’s youth advocate pens down thoughts from participating at the Summit of the Future and UNICEF’s Global Youth Advocates Mobilisation Lab as part of the United Nations General Assembly gathering in New York.

Day 1: Friday, September 20 

The first day of the UNICEF Global Youth Advocates Mobilisation  (YAML) was an incredible opportunity to meet youth advocating for issues in their home countries and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through open dialogue and open hearts, we were able to find many common themes in our advocacy work with UNICEF, even though our homes are widely spaced around the globe.  

The first day of the Lab was also Action Day 1 of the Summit of the Future.  

The Action Days were convened by the UN Secretary-General during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly to actively engage stakeholders working for a more inclusive multilateral system. The Summit of the Future was meant to increase international cooperation for the future, for a healthy planet, sustainable development, and a more equitable world where no one is left behind. 

As part of the summit, I was invited to be a panelist for the session Youth Lead: Inclusive Digital Future for All. This intergenerational dialogue with UN senior leadership was focused on youth shaping an inclusive, safe, and sustainable digital future, and the importance of multi stakeholder engagement for policy development and scaling up tech-driven solutions for people and planet.  

Other than the Summit, one of the highlights of the day was the group photo we were able to take around the #UNGA sign outside UN Headquarters – united in purpose for advancing our advocacy efforts with UNICEF! 

Day 2: Saturday, September 21 

The second day of the Lab included a training session on public speaking and discussions on the UNICEF strategic plan. Youth Advocates met with UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships, Kitty van der Heijden.  

Deputy ED van der Heijden’s positive messages were a source of inspiration. What stayed with me was when she said, "Everybody needs that spark of hope that tomorrow can be better, that you can thrive for a life in dignity."  

Our second day at the Lab was also the final day of the Summit of the Future Action Days.  

Day 3: Sunday, September 22 

The third day of the Mobilisation Lab included two very special guests. In the morning, youth advocates met with UNICEF’s endearing mascot Uni! This jumbo backpack champions the ‘Power of Education’ and symbolizes the positive work of UNICEF to create a brighter future by advocating for access to quality learning for every child.  

Later, as part of our afternoon session, we met with UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell. Youth advocates presented pictorial images of what being a youth advocate meant to them, and the aspects of their individual advocacy work they most enjoyed. I was inspired by the discussion and hearing the varied perspectives and experiences of each young person and the impact their actions had helped create. 

 Day 4: Monday, September 23  

The fourth day of YAML  focused on the special event “Proven Solutions for Children: Accelerating progress for the SDGs and Beyond”. Co-hosted by UNICEF, the African Union Deputy Chairperson and the European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, this event was held in the Danny Kaye Visitor Center on the ground floor of UNICEF House.  

In her opening remarks, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, “It is imperative that we ramp up actions, and investments, to strengthen systems that children rely on, like health care, social protection, nutrition services, education, water and sanitation.” Executive Director Russell also noted the importance of making those systems more resilient to crises.  

Day 5: Tuesday, September 24

On the last day of the Lab, we focused on building advocacy tools, including how to write in an engaging manner. We learned that when using certain writing tools, we can make the audience feel more connected to the story we want to tell and inspire them to take action themselves. 

I did a short presentation on my advocacy work within Canada and at a global level, and was also able to create more content to help share my experience at the YAML with UNICEF staff.

Towards the end of the day, we all shared reflections on our key takeaways from the Lab. It was great to see so many youth advocates inspired to take action in the future by using the new skills they had acquired.

UNICEF also gave each youth advocate a notebook, and we enjoyed writing our reflections and parting messages to each other. It was a really meaningful and tangible way to remember all that we had learned from each other for years to come.

The Youth Advocates Mobilisation Lab was a remarkable experience I’ll carry forward on my advocacy journey, and I’m grateful to UNICEF Canada and the staff at UNICEF House for facilitating my participation. It’s inspiring to know I am a part of this cohort of child rights advocates working for a better world in so many ways in our various home countries. Together, we truly are a stronger team For Every Child.