Photo Credit: Trend Multimedia/Zaur Mustafayev
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016
From April 25-27, members of WFUNA staff and Youth Network were in Baku, Azerbaijan for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) 7th Global Forum Youth Event: "Narratives for Tomorrow in Inclusive Societies".
A diverse group of 150 young global leaders discussed and jointly identified their Narratives of Tomorrow. The Narratives were then presented to high-level representatives of the UN and the Government of Azerbaijan. From WFUNA's Youth Network, Erly Muñoz from United Nations Association Venezuela and representative for South America on the WFUNA Youth Advisory Council, Anina Yovkova from United Nations Association Bulgaria and WFUNA Youth Delegate Programme Multiplier, and Lawrence Chuma from Youth of United Nations Association Tanzania were in attendance.
WFUNA's Sustainable Development Officer, Mari Ullmann, was invited to speak on the "Global Agenda on Youth and Social Inclusion: Overview and Opportunities" plenary panel at the Global Forum Youth Event. Others on the panel include Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth; Rashid Zuberu, Leading Coordinator of Young Peace Brigades in Ghana and Member of United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY); and Sölvi Karlsson, Leading Coordinator of UNOY. The panel was moderated by Isabelle Tibi, Project Management Specialist – Youth and Education at UNAOC. Ms. Ullmann spoke about recognizing the pivotal role of youth in the implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the opportunities for youth participation through the WFUNA Youth Network.
The Global Forum brought together more than 4,300 participants, including Heads of State and Government, political officials, civil society representatives, religious and youth leaders, who exchanged their perspectives under the main theme of "Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal."