RC Trebucq's Remarks at the Youth Advisory Group Orientation and Workshop

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Paula Istúriz-Cavero, UNESCO Caribbean, Youth Focal Point
• Sudha Balakrishnan, Programme Management Officer - United Nations Department of Global Communications
• Mr. Angga Dwi Martha Programme Management Officer - United Nations Department of Global Communications
• Our special, new UN YAG Members,

Good morning! First let me first say how great it is to meet you all in person, and to have you together here in Barbados.

For context, you should know that the United Nations has long recognized that the imagination, ideals and energy of young people are key in the development of the societies where they live. The UN Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean YAG is an excellent platform, designed to provide you as regional youth leaders with the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the sustainable development of the sub-region. This is being done hand in hand with  the UN Sub-Regional Team (UNST), or the leaders of UN AFPs in this part of the world.

As UN Resident Coordinator, I always had the vision of having a sounding board for young people in the region. So today, I’m very pleased to watch it continue and grow, bringing together the best across the region, full of diversity.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, this is the first time that we met in person. Our YAG selection process was very meticulous/special, and we’re proud that you all have made the final 12 from Barbados and across the Eastern Caribbean.

You bring an impressive range of skills, backgrounds, interests, and experiences to the table. With you here, we have human rights activists, athletes, gender educators, professional dancers, and much more, so, congratulations to all of you!

To see your faces in person today reminds me of why you all stand out in the region with the energy, creativity and intelligence you’ve brought to issues that we face (whether its gender, health, climate action or youth itself) and it encourages me as I stand before you today.

As the UN, we pride ourselves on Leaving No One Behind; and we want to not only ensure that we include you, but that we see you, and hear exactly what you have to say. Integrating your opinions isn’t just about checking a box or being tokens, but about bringing your experiences and collective judgement with us on the journey to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

But as much as you stand out, you fit right into the calibre of young people globally who are not afraid to raise their voices for change, and bring value to development with your thinking, your consistency, your collaboration, and your commitment.

We expect that of you, and that’s why we continue to integrate youth into decision-making mechanisms at all levels, and work towards a world more that’s more equitable, just and inclusive.  

The 2030 Youth Strategy pushes the UN to be a platform through which raises your voices, but you have to raise your voices first.

Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to meet with some members of the UNST. This is an important conversation and I encourage you to make the most of it, as the next few weeks will be very important in charting the way forward. Why? Because you will  strategize not only how best you can support the work of the UN, but also to consider the impact of this opportunity on your own trajectory. This role can bring what I like to call ‘excited accountability’, giving you a chance at real experience. That’s what I call a W (for context, "W" is relevant slang and an abbreviated term for a win in a competition. It will go over well with them).

So, I challenge you to raise your voices, stand out, and grab this chance to bring innovative solutions, and work together to advance the SDGs in the region in all your spaces, especially on social media, tagging @unbarbadosandoecs and even me on Twitter and on Instagram.

While every idea and suggestion will not be taken on board, you can rest and know that they’ll be given the thought and attention that they deserve where appropriate.

So, again, welcome to the YAG, and welcome to the future. I trust that you’ll all represent the best of the present and the future of development and the UN system, remembering always to do one thing - put people at the centre of all you do.

Thank you.