Governance for human rights, peace and security and political processes
Intervention by Galia Kademian from Argentine Youth Organization for the United Nations and International Steering Group Representative for UNOY’s Americas members, at the Summit of the Future Action Day side event: ‘YouthLead: Governance for human rights, peace and security and political processes’.
UNOY co-organised this session with the UN Youth Office, MyLifeMySay, UNDP, Club de Madrid, UNESCO, OHCHR, Education Above All Foundation & Major Group for Children and Youth.
“Thank you for giving me the floor. My name is Galia, and I am from Argentina. I’m a member of the Directive Commission at OAJNU, the Argentine Youth Organization for the United Nations, and serve as International representative at UNOY Peacebuilders.
Now, to answer the question, I believe that to provide accessible funding and capacity-building support for youth-led organizations, there are some key steps governments can take:
First of all, let’s try by simplifying application processes for youth organizations. Funding applications or training calls often require extensive documentation, reporting, and these can be a barrier for youth-led organizations that have limited administrative capacity. By being flexible on these terms, we can reach deeper grassroot initiatives, even those that are not legally registered but are just as impactful.
Second, this type of public support processes to youth initiatives should be institutionalized as such to ensure sustainable results through continuous support.
And these support systems must be built from the ground up. And what I mean by that is, if there is a true desire to strengthen youth initiatives, it starts with asking us what we need. Don’t assume what we lack. Don’t just come up with ways to support us. Ask us. Consult us. We know our needs, and we know what our communities require.
Now…there is a prejudice in society that young people are improvised….or….on-the-spot. And I think I know where that misconception stems from. I think we are overlooked as young people because of our emotions. Yes. It is no news that we are angry. We are collectively exhausted from dealing with the same structural world issues from centuries ago. We are Outraged. But our rage has something different. It’s completely and thoroughly organized
But let me tell you, in my five years as a volunteer I have never seen people more structured, more analytical, and more organized than my young peers.
And I’m talking methodology…..time-management…..resource allocation.
Us young people, we are experts at planning out exactly what we need to do. We analyze probable threats. We evaluate possible solutions. We bridge the gap between our highest ambitions and our practical capabilities.
Youth-led organizations can be just as structured and efficient as any other Institution, if not more. Our organized rage makes us stronger, not weaker.
So, what we truly need from governments when it comes to funding support, is trust. Trust in our capabilities, trust in our ideas, and in the ways we execute those ideas. As young people, if we are reduced to only being young, we fail to be acknowledged by our potential, our strength, and the responses we have already developed for global issues. Instead, recognize us for our abilities and the impactful responses we are capable of delivering.”
Watch the session on UN Web TV here