I am attending the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18) being held at UN Headquarters in New York from the 3rd - 14^th May 2010. The focus of the two-year cycle of CSD-18  is reviewing progress and implementing policy on the thematic areas of transport, chemicals, waste management, mining, and the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns .

 

This is not my first UN Commission, as I also attended one on Social Development earlier this year, but it is my first time being involved with the Youth Caucus. It makes a difference! When I graduated from University in Ireland last year, I was not expecting to ever attend a United Nations Commission --especially not as a representative of the Youth Caucus and I also did not expect to be directly contributing to UN dialogue...I am doing both.  

 

To provide a little background, the Youth Caucus is the driving force behind the Major Working Group of Children and Youth. The weekend before the Commission, I was absorbed into this talented, intelligent, involved and highly participatory group during the Youth Blast held at Columbia University. 

 

At Youth Blast, we divided into smaller groups based on our area of interest / expertise (I was involved with the Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP group)) to work on the youth lobby points, to draft a final version and then we met as a larger group to reflect and agree. Then we were briefed on what to do, expect and how our Major Group would work. I was not expecting the level of professionalism, hard work and fun that I would have over the next few days.
 

Since the CSD-18 has begun, it has been a blur of drafting statements / lobby strategies / speeches, reading statements to identify gaps / our points / cross cutting issues, lobbying, meetings and fun!!!

 

It is the first time that I have worked simultaneously with up to 40 youth (simultaneously on pirate or etherpad) on a document at the exact same time from different locations. Yet amazingly we end up with a coherent, unified, and interesting statement (or conclusion). It is also great to be directly involved in what we are working towards. I really enjoy working with a team of youth who all have the same goal--advocating for change but building on the existing frameworks to make that change effective and long term.

I have been learning a lot. I am constantly collaborating with young people from all over the world (five continents), with different backgrounds (from NGOs to students to consultants), goals, and functions (official youth delegates, NGO staff, etc) at the Commission. The diversity that we all epitomise, the friendships that we are creating while we work together to achieve a workable, practical, concrete solution fascinates me. I do not know how we manage to interact so well, and how we can all seem to communicate with each other (even when we have different opinions). I love it!

 

The youth (apart from being in thematic groups) are also divided into regional groups. As part of this,  I had the opportunity to meet with a representative from the European Union and present the youth lobby points on transportation. The European Youth are very organised at arranging bi-lateral and informal meetings with official delegations from Europe because we are facilitated by a European Youth Forum Delegate, and official youth delegates from Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium. It really makes a difference to be able to find out about the UN workings, Commission topics and to influence change by being able to engage in conversations with key actors.

 

An example of this, is when I had the opportunity to meet with the head of the Belgium delegation. I was very impressed that she took the time to have a very informal yet informative and interesting discussion of SCP with the European Youth. I believe that my understanding of the issues involved is more developed (as I got to listen to her actual practical experience rather than just reading about it). Furthermore, I feel that I am more effective as a result of identifying the key issues in this thematic area.

 

The CSD-18 is an amazing experience. Something unexpected happens almost every day (such as seeing Jane Goodall and Jeffery Sachs discuss Sustainable Development in person) or watching "Counting Down from Zero" or sawing Michael Douglas in real life or being invited to lunch by members of the Kenyan and Tanzanian delegation and joining the major working group of trade unions as an observer.

I feel like I am learning a phenomenal amount.  The other youth have taught me to draft statements fast! (often during a session), to accept mistakes will be made, how to lobby, who to lobby, why to lobby and how to measure lobby effectiveness. I am experiencing the thrill of hearing our words being absorbed into official UN documents / statements. I am discovering case studies and projects that I had never even heard of before.

There is one week left. We are over half way done. I can feel the pressure but this is why I studied politics, I want to be challenged...I love this environment of ideas, creativity, new everything and working together on an amazing team towards a common goal--advocating for change! 

 

Change needs global cooperation. Decisions made during the next few days will have global consequences. We need universal norms. No states can exist alone. We must all be concerned. I understand why people could be frustrated...or if they don't see the point. But there is hope--youth are here...at the United Nations and we are making a difference. We are dynamic, diverse yet we are working together as a unified voice for change.
 

Saba Loftus

24 years old

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Written by LOFTUS Samim 13-05-2010

This is a great blog entry. You seem to be in an exciting and active environment of learning and developing new and much needed ideas. I hope this contributes greatly to the transformation of the society that we have at the moment...a transformation that is much needed. I love this "Change needs global cooperation. Decisions made during the next few days will have global consequences. We need universal norms. No states can exist alone. We must all be concerned." Keep them coming!!

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