Youngest UN Official: Felipe Paullier & Youth Advocacy
Summary of the Article: Felipe Paullier and the UN Office on Youth
This article details the journey of Felipe Paullier to becoming the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs at the United Nations,and outlines the key priorities of the UN Office on Youth.
Key takeaways:
* Unexpected Path: Paullier initially admired the UN’s values but didn’t anticipate working within the institution. His experience collaborating with UN agencies while working for the Uruguayan government sparked his understanding of the UN system.
* Rapid Appointment: He was unexpectedly selected for the role of leading the first UN Office for Youth while still completing his master’s degree, and given just 15 days to prepare.
* Office Focus: The first year was dedicated to building the team, understanding challenges, and positioning the office as a hub for collaboration, data dissemination, and advocacy for youth interests.
* Three Core Agendas: The UN Office on Youth focuses on three main areas:
* Participation: Ensuring young people are included in decision-making processes and have a voice in power structures.
* Peace and Security: Recognizing and supporting the leading role young people are taking in advocating for peace and ending conflicts.
* Mental Health & Well-being: Addressing the growing mental health crisis among youth, fueled by factors like hopelessness, digital negativity, lack of opportunity, and the climate crisis. The office is spearheading a Global youth Mental Health and Well-being Initiative, already involving over 600 youth-led organizations globally.
The article highlights paullier’s commitment to actively listening to and collaborating with young people, and the UN Office on Youth’s dedication to addressing critical issues impacting the global youth population.