UK DELEGATES SELECTED FOR UN REVIEW OF WORLD ACTION FOR YOUTH PROGRAMME

Three young people have been selected to represent UK youth at the Review of the World programme of Action for Youth taking place at the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York this October.

The successful candidates, chosen by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United Nations Youth and Student Association from a total of over 500 applicants, are looking forward to the challenges ahead. They will now begin work on a youth consultation process to ensure the views of young people in the UK are accurately represented in New York.

Frederick Bernas, an 18-year-old student from west London, said 'This is a fantastic chance for young people to have their views heard on the international stage; our opinions must be considered by decision-makers at all levels.' Frederick has been involved in the UK Youth Parliament for nearly 18 months, both as a representative for young people in his home borough, Hounslow, and with wider organisational responsibilities on the Procedures Group.

Keeley Williams, 20, is a member of the Newham Youth Parliament and currently working as a Youth Participation worker in her borough. She also has previous experience of international conferences, having attended the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Following her selection, she said 'the opportunity for 3 young people to become the UK youth delegates and attend the General Assembly in New York is fantastic and I am so privileged to be one of them. I aim to make the most of it, not just for my own personal gains but so that the UK's youth are represented positively and productively'.

Kristofer McGhee, 20, is involved in the Scottish Youth Parliament, a Member of Glasgow Children's Panel and Vice-President of the University of Glasgow UNYSA branch. He said 'My selection as one of the three UK Youth Delegates is highly exciting: travelling to New York; consulting and representing UK young people and youth organisations; and learning about international youth participation. It is a task I am certainly looking forward to and I feel honoured to have been selected'.

The delegates are organising an online consultation process with young people on the UN World Programme of Action for Youth. Before the Review in October, they will also participate, and consult further, at the World Youth Congress in Stirling and World Youth Assembly in New York.

At the Review itself, there will be a full programme of events and activities around the key areas of WPAY and Youth Participation and the youth delegates will organise and deliver their own event on the outcome of their UK consultations. They will also attend the High Level General Assembly Plenary meeting, participate in informal debates and liase with members of the official UK delegation, the UN youth department and other youth delegates.

Notes For Editors

2. The youth delegates will shortly be posting an online questionnaire on www.unysa-uk.org and can be contacted on uk.youthdelegate@unysa-uk.org
   
   
4. The Foreign Secretary's speech announcing their selection: '60th Anniversary of the United Nations', speech by Jack Straw, 27 June 2005

Further information

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