If you had told my 18-year-old self that one day I would be present at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, I would never have believed it. Yet, this year, that moment became reality.
What unfolded in New York during UNGA80 was more than a sequence of meetings and events, it was a defining experience that reinforced the role young people must play in shaping the future of our world.
Representing Youth at the Heart of Global Decision-Making
As a Youth Member of UNICEF’s Global Leadership Council, I had the opportunity to take part in one of the most impactful weeks on the global diplomatic calendar. UNGA is where governments, institutions, and global leaders converge, and being present in these spaces as a youth representative carries both responsibility and purpose.
Throughout the week, I participated in multiple high-level discussions focused on youth leadership, innovation, employment, and education. These conversations consistently highlighted a shared reality: global challenges cannot be solved without youth voices actively shaping solutions.
From Classrooms to Global Platforms
Among the many engagements, I had the privilege of contributing to the ITU × ITC × WIPO Youth Leadership Roundtable and the session From Classroom to Marketplace, alongside inspiring peers from around the world. These discussions centered on how education, innovation, and entrepreneurship can be leveraged to create inclusive economic opportunities for young people.
Additional exchanges with organizations such as the World Association of Scouts, Generation Unlimited, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) addressed urgent issues, including the growing Youth NEET crisis and the need for scalable, youth-centered solutions.
A Defining Moment: “1 Billion Futures”
One of the most powerful moments of the week was the Global Leadership Council meeting, “1 Billion Futures.” Sitting at a high-level table surrounded by world leaders, policymakers, and CEOs was a moment that underscored both the weight of responsibility and the hope carried by this generation.
That room represented more than influence, it represented trust in youth as active contributors to global progress. In that moment, it became clear that young leaders are no longer being prepared for the future; they are being invited to shape it.
Carrying Lebanon’s Voice to the World
The week concluded with a deeply meaningful moment during the Lebanese Delegation reception, where I had the honor of meeting His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Lebanon. His words of pride in seeing Lebanese youth represented on the global stage were a powerful reminder of where this journey began.
Carrying Lebanon’s cedar into international spaces is both a privilege and a responsibility, one that reinforces the importance of ensuring that Lebanese youth continue to have access to global platforms and opportunities.
More Than a Week: A Message
This experience was not simply a milestone; it was proof that when young people are trusted, equipped, and given a seat at the table, they do not merely observe history, they help shape it.
At EduBolt, this belief is at the core of our mission: empowering youth with the tools, confidence, and access they need to lead locally and globally.
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