UN Youth Affairs Leader Champions Participation, Peace, and Mental Well-being for a New Generation
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A new era of global youth advocacy is underway at the United Nations, driven by a commitment to amplify young voices and address critical challenges facing millions worldwide.The UN Office for Youth, under the leadership of Assistant Secretary-General Felipe Paullier, is prioritizing participation, peace and security, and mental health as core pillars of its work.
From Uruguayan Government to the UN’s forefront
Paullier’s journey to the UN was unexpected, rooted in a lifelong connection to public service. He began his career in the Uruguayan government, working on youth policy and later leading the national youth institute. This experience extended to collaborations with international organizations like UNFPA, and the UN Development Program (UNDP) on initiatives including a national project focused on adolescent and youth mental health.
This experience laid the groundwork for his eventual appointment. While completing a master’s degree, Paullier was selected to lead the newly formed UN Office for Youth, receiving the call from Deputy Secretary-General Amina mohammed just eight months after applying.
building a Platform for Youth Voices
The first year in the role was dedicated to establishing the office’s foundation – building a team, understanding existing challenges, and identifying opportunities to add value to the work of youth organizations and member states. “I believe that the purpose of the Office for Youth affairs is to collaborate, disseminate data, and raise awareness of the interests and concerns of all young people around the world,” Paullier stated.
The office’s strategy centers around three key agendas. The first, the participation agenda, recognizes the urgent need to include new generations in decision-making processes. Efforts are underway to connect civil society with the UN, fostering spaces where young people feel represented and their concerns are addressed.
Addressing Global Conflicts and Promoting Peace
The second agenda focuses on peace and security. In a world experiencing the highest number of active conflicts since World War II, young people are increasingly taking the lead in advocating for peace and demanding an end to war. The UN Office for Youth is supporting these efforts,recognizing the vital role young people play in conflict prevention and resolution.
A Global Mental Health Crisis Demands Action
Perhaps the most pressing issue facing young people globally is a growing mental health crisis. Millions struggle with hopelessness, the pressures of a digital culture rife with hate speech, limited opportunities, the climate crisis, and a lack of supportive communities. This manifests as anxiety, depression, and, tragically, suicide.
To combat this, the office launched the Global Youth Mental Health and Well-being Initiative. In just a few months, the initiative has mobilized over 600 youth-led organizations across more than 80 countries, impacting over 13 million individuals, with 81% being young people themselves. The initiative leverages partnerships with organizations like the World Health Association (WHO), UNICEF, and UNESCO, while also advocating for increased recognition and policy responses to youth mental health at the national level.
The impact of social media on youth mental health is a central concern. The office acknowledges the paradox of increased interconnectedness coupled with growing isolation. Algorithms frequently enough create echo chambers and facilitate the spread of aggressive messaging. “Social media poses a huge challenge because it ends up creating bubbles where people only connect with others who think alike,” a senior official stated.
The solution, according to Paullier, lies in creating more spaces for genuine dialogue. “In these digital spaces, dialogue dose not exist; there are only positions, and people do not listen to each other; they confront each other.” He emphasized the importance of returning to the core principles outlined in the Charter of the United Nations: dialogue, diversity, and international cooperation.
Ultimately, the UN Office for Youth believes that collective action, driven by individual changes, is the key to achieving global progress. as Paullier concluded, “Small individual changes, when added together, are what ultimately drive global agendas.”
