The Weeks Ahead

Tonight I am packing for my trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Facebook tells me other members of the delegation, who are arriving earlier and travelling further, are already preparing to depart. Together we will be representing WAGGGS, 10 million girls and young women and youth as a whole to a number of different events between the 17^th and 27^th September. 

Mitch and Erin are setting out for the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development meeting this week. I’ll arrive just in time for the closing session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. Mirna will be at the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit over next weekend. Then we will all be participating in the events building up to the special event on the MDGs on the 25^th where Fezile, from South Africa, will be taking part. 

Perfecting my public speaking skills

I also have the honour of speaking on behalf of youth, and civil society as a whole, at the first meeting of the High Level Political Forum. This is a new forum, taking over from the Commission on Sustainable Development, to talk about sustainable development in the highest level political arena. The other speakers at this opening session are heads of state and important ministers. I am nervous and excited to have 3 minutes of their attention and a very important message – we have one planet, we need to look after it, and ensure everybody can live dignified and fulfilling lives within its capabilities. 

Having first learnt about the Millennium Development Goals in my secondary school geography lessons, I have since been involved in a wide range of connected projects through Guiding. It seems incredible to think I know have the opportunity to ensure that the needs of girls and young women, and youth in general, the world over, will get to be reflected in the next global development agenda. 

If you’d have told the 11 year old me in those geography lessons that, one day, I would have the attention of world leaders, I wouldn’t have believed you. But to be fair I still need to pinch myself every now and again to check that I’m not imagining it all. 

There will be a series of blog posts over the next 2 weeks from the members of the delegation, explaining what we are doing in New York, and giving you an insider’s view of the events taking place. Make sure to check the WAGGGS website regularly.