Delegates: Ms. Anaick Geißel (23 years), Mr. Mio Kuschick
31. Ms. Geissel (Germany), speaking as a youth delegate, said that, over the past six months, she had spoken to many German youth about the work and values of the United Nations, as well as their hopes and fears for the future. While many of them had grown up in a peaceful and secure environment in which respect for human rights and freedoms was guaranteed, they were frightened at the possible outbreak of wars during their lifetimes, owing to the rise of right wing populism in Europe; the growing number of weapons and increase in militarization worldwide; and the abandonment of diplomacy in favour of displays of military strength. In order to preserve peace and security, the international community must strive to return to a political culture of dialogue and cooperation, an endeavour in which youth had a critical role to play, as recognized in Security Council resolution 2250 (2015). She called on Member States to make progress towards disarmament, including by banning nuclear weapons and strengthening arms control, in order to ensure a more secure future and prevent terrorism.
32. Mr. Kuschick (Germany), speaking as a youth delegate, said that the positive atmosphere that had characterized the multilateral events for youth in which he had participated over the past six months inspired confidence for the future of mutual cooperation and for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Many of the youth he had encountered had fled to Europe from areas affected by conflict and terrorism, having undergone torture and lost close family members, but, like European youth, nurtured hopes for a peaceful future. The host societies that welcomed such refugees must appreciate the challenges they faced in adapting to their new environments and, more broadly, must value the diverse contributions and talents of all members of society, regardless of their race, sexual orientation and gender identity.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/72/SR.3
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/72/SR.3, 3 October 2017, p. 6, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/germany-2017/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-192529-0.