UN Youth Representatives Speak for the Voiceless on the Global StageBy Timmy Dillard, LU/UN Communications intern
Two Lehigh undergraduate students recently spoke at high-level events held at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York City. As Youth Representatives, they represent two UNaccredited Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) - located in Nigeria and Armenia - serving as
the only voice these organizations have at the UN. Rolake Tomoye and **Julianna Caskie wereable to have this opportunity because of their involvement in the Lehigh University / United
Nations Partnership, which gives students the rare chance to serve in this accredited capacity atthe UN.
Tomoye, who represents the Centre for Women’s Studies and Intervention (CWSI), took part ina UN panel event titled “Higher Education and Multilateralism: Academia Responding to GlobalChallenges.” The discussion was meant to answer questions such as: How to strengthen therelationship between academia and the UN?; and what role is there for faculty and students?
Tomoye reminded the leaders of academia and the UN that their role is one of service to theglobal community and advocated that youth have a seat at the table.
“Youth should not feel scared or hesitant to use their voices to speak up for what they believe in- to use their experiences to change perspectives”. Tomoye’s comments were carried live
across the world via UN Web TV.
At a large consultative event convening NGOs and UN officials from all over the world, Caskie,
who represents Nor Luyce, advocated for improved accessibility at the UN for NGOs. By
recommending a number of potential ways to strengthen the presence of NGOs in the UN
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), she helped amplify the voices of those in developingcountries at the global stage.
“There’s an inherent benefit to physically being at the UN”, Caskie said. It is at events such as
this that NGOs can speak to actively-listening UN officials and make their voices heard.
Tomoye, a fourth year IDEAS major studying Computer Science Engineering, Economics, andGlobal Studies, represents the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) based inAbuja, Nigeria. Rolake herself is originally from Nigeria - she has done a lot of volunteer work
there before - and is passionate about sub-Saharan African development. By representing
CWSI at the UN, Tomoye works to strengthen their mission of upholding the dignity ofmarginalized and oppressed women and girls. Like other NGOs, CWSI is made up of concerned
citizens outside of government. They coach women to become more politically aware, sociallyresponsible, and economically independent; “Any way to increase the standard of living forwomen in Nigeria”, said Tomoye.
Caskie, another fourth year who majors in Political Science, represents the Armenian-based
NGO Nor Luyce. With a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, her academic
passions align with the mission of Nor Luyce, which focuses on providing Armenian girls withthe means to become self-sufficient. At the UN, she advocates for the empowerment of teenage
girls from orphanages and low-income families through education. Caskie found herself in theUN Youth Representative program after a trip to the headquarters with her International
Relations class. Recalling how she did not yet have the proper business attire, she said “I doremember over that winter break thinking, ‘I really want to keep on doing these things’, and so Iwent and got a blazer.”
To prepare to represent their NGOs at these events, Tomoye and Caskie both had the help ofstaff making up the Lehigh UN Partnership team. Tomoye said, “You have to say your message
in the most respectful, diplomatic way: The Partnership helped in that way.” The time thatparticipants have to speak in these events is limited. She continued, “[The Partnership team]was helpful to make my words more precise and impactful, because you only have five minutes
to get that across. It was great to have that help to refine my message and feel great about it.”Caskie also had to prepare for that setting: “I spoke it aloud to other people a lot, because you
had to get it down to the time format.” Both Youth Representatives were satisfied with being
able to speak on behalf of the NGO that aligns with their passions at pivotal UN events.
Through the Youth Representative Program, these students become more familiar withadvocacy work and prepare for their future careers with the skills they acquire. About her futureplans, Caskie said, “I'm especially hoping to do research-based policy or advocacy work.” Shecontinued that her practice with drafting statements and delivering speeches gave her “goodexposure to what a career in this line of work could look like.”
Clipped footage of Rolake’s remarks: (video by Jordon Pykon)**Julianna’s comments are located between 1:31:30 to 1:34:00 in the video.