Delegate: Ms. Sonja Huttunen
3. Ms. Huttunen (Finland), speaking as a youth delegate, said that migrants and refugees were disproportionately young. Underlining the need for better education and employment opportunities for young people, recognized in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (A/71/L.1), she called for greater emphasis on vocational education and entrepreneurship training. Improved access to education and employment would also help to combat marginalization and radicalization among the young. To increase their sense of inclusion and belonging, they should be able to participate in sports and hobbies, which built community, and to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. Young
people must be recognized as drivers of positive change.
4. Start-ups and the spirit they embodied had the potential to save the world; indeed, they had already made a significant impact. Largely led by the young, they required investors willing to believe in young entrepreneurs.
5. Narrow-minded nationalism, racism and violent extremism were on the rise. Leaders everywhere should lead by example, condemning all forms of racial discrimination, violence and hate speech. Respect for human rights was fundamental, even and especially in difficult times.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/71/SR.2
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/71/SR.2, 4 October 2016, p. 2, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/finland-2016/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-193123-0.