The 9th edition of the annual youth assembly ended recently at the headquarters of the United Nations in
Young leaders numbering 600 representing 40 countries were at the UN to discuss among other things what young people can do towards the attainment of the MDGs.
Alongside the main conference, thematic workshops, video documentaries and panel discussions were held.
The exciting event was organised by the New York-based Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and endorsed by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN.
The annual youth assembly at the UN has been recognised as a well respected annual idea leadership event.
It focuses on youth-led development related to the success of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Its vision includes creating substantive opportunities for increased youth involvement at and around the UN and promoting democratic values, networking and personal career development.
The assembly delegates had the opportunity to visit over 30 UN Permanent Missions and also had a panel discussion with selected youth leaders from the Arab Spring.
They justified the uprising in the Arab world as a result of dictatorship, corruption, lack of respect for free speech, unemployment and lack of human rights.
They expressed their determination to continue pushing until all the dictators in the region are fallen.
The following MDGs were earnestly looked at during the event: MDG1 - eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; 2 – achieving universal primary education; 3 - promoting gender equality and women empowerment; 4 – reducing child mortality; 5 – improving maternal health; 6 – combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; 7 – ensuring environmental sustainability; and 8 - developing a global partnership for development.