UN Youth Representative Listening Tour at Shore
Last week, 14 students from the Shore Model United Nations Assembly Team and Student Committee participated in a consultation led by Gavin Choong, the 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, as a part of the UN Youth Representative Listening Tour.
During the consultation, the boys actively explored the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and voiced their views on issues that concern them the most, proposing possible resolutions to the issues from their perspectives. The Walton Room was filled with energy.
Gavin represents Australian youth’s views both domestically and internationally. Once the Listening Tour concludes, the findings will be consolidated into a Report, to be shared with the government and leaders from business and civil society, as well as the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This consultation has raised the boys’ awareness of global issues, encouraged and empowered them to make positive changes in life, as well as preparing them by being one step closer to becoming responsible global citizens and future leaders. I am particularly happy to find that most boys walking out of the session felt positive and inspired to seek ways to contribute more actively to make Australia and the world a better place.
Angus L reflected on his participation in the UN Youth Representative Listening Tour below:
Last Tuesday, Shore was honoured to host Gavin Choong, the 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations. As an individual, it was clear with a bit of research that Gavin was very decorated in his career, being published as “Top 40 under 40 most influential Asian-Australians” and being recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Future Leaders by the Australian Financial Review.
Gavin came in to speak about his experience and ask for our insight on issues facing young Australians. Like many of the boys in the Walton room listening to Gavin, I had no personal experience talking with diplomats or politicians and my preconceptions were shaped by reality TV and the media. Unsurprisingly, these ideas were shattered as Gavin posed pressing questions and was transparent about the issues with the UN; namely that countries benefit from keeping other countries in poverty. Gavin genuinely cared for our input.
We did an activity where we looked at the 17 goals of the UN, chose one, and explained why it was important to advocate for and what we could do. Gavin explained that at each UN meeting he gives a speech, detailing the concerns of young Australians and provoking the Australian’s diplomats to uphold these views. So each of our coloured-in butcher sheets had the potential to be an example in a speech to our UN representatives.
Gavin also explained the issues pressing us. The issues that you and I could see at School each day or at home. The one that I found most pressing was the issue of mental health and wellbeing amongst teenagers. In the past 15 years mental health issues and disorders have surged by 47% amongst people our age and it’s becoming more difficult for young Australians to seek help.
So what can you do?
Your thoughts count. Let UN hear what you have to say. Email Gavin directly at youthrep@unyouth.org.au.
Ms Jingling Hu
MIC MUNA
Top image: UN Youth Representative Listening Tour 1
