Hard work from volunteers got UN youth programme back

Members of the United Nation Youth Association (UNYA) put themselves out for the reinstatement of the UN Youth Delegate Program in Denmark and they succeeded.

A young Dane, Philip Lerer Dimsits, is going to be part of Denmark’s delegation to this year’s UN General Assembly.

Denmark was the first country which instated a youth delegate in 1972. Seven years after the budget was cut by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2008, the Danish Youth Council (DUF) agreed to appropriate funds for the reinstatement.

Represented in trendsetting decisions

Young Danish people between the age of 18 and 30 can apply for the representative position, which has already been taken this year. There were two requirements – interest in international affairs and being active in one of the DUF’s membership organizations. The chosen Dane will not only be part of Denmark’s diplomatic delegation, but also participate in several preparatory meetings and a training program.

One of this year’s General Assembly’s main topics is the sustainable development goals. ”So it is especially important that we are represented in such an important discussion,” says Lea Marie Juliussen, coordinator of the UN Youth Delegate Program in collaboration with the DUF.

”We are happy that we have realized the reinstatement so quickly,” says Lea.

Lots of e-mails

Lea is currently writing her thesis at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, and was head of the working group in UNYA.

The working group ”sent lots of mails around and had to hold lots of talks to figure out how, under what conditions and under what collaboration the programme would be possible again,” explains the UCPH student.

The 70th General Assembly of the United Nations takes place in New York from 24 September until 10 October 2015.

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

Do you have a good story? We would like to hear from you. In the meantime, like us on Facebook for features, guides and tips on upcoming events and follow us on Twitter for links to other Copenhagen academia news stories.