Welcome to a time of political participation, purposeful positioning, and partnership potentials for global change. Welcome to LARSSMUN 2020.
There is no more time to admire the lofty agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals. There is no more time to sing and dance about the boldness of 17 goals and 169 targets set up to lead all nations into a world we can live and thrive. No, there is no longer time to spare.
Instead let us spare the time for serious actions. Let’s spare the time for workable collaboration. Yes, let’s spare the time to carry everyone along.
It is a vital part of the Sustainable Development Goals to leave no one behind. The nations promised that the poorer countries will not be left behind. The world made commitments that marginalized groups will not be left behind. Truly, it was a unanimous decision to leave no one behind.
No one means everyone. Each and every person; children, youth, women and men need to benefit from the developments and bettering situations of the world as we move towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Everyone –including the Youth.
Yes, you and me.
We are today the world’s largest young people ever to exist. We are a phenomenon. We are a number. We are a force. We are a people. And the world is beginning to notice.
They are beginning to notice that the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be fully achieved without the participation of the youth. They are beginning to notice that youth should be concluded at every level of the decision-making process at every level of the execution process, and every level of the motoring and evaluation process. Yes, the world has noticed.
They have noticed the dexterity of youth. They have noticed the creativity of youth. They have noticed the energies of youth. They have noticed the restlessness of youth. And yes, they have also noticed the technology of youth.
Therefore, as the world commits to leave no one behind in our collective efforts to build a world without hunger, a world free of inequality, a world free of conflict and wars, a word safe from the perils of climate change –and yes, a world prospering by the contributory inclusiveness of each and every person; the world must not leave the youth behind.
The world must not relegate young people to merely sit and observe. No, the world must allow youth set programs, initiatives, and development strategies in their own creative interpretation for solutions to the world’s problems as we forge ahead to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals –and leave no one behind.