UN Marks 80th Anniversary with Youth Engagement Event in Seychelles
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The United Nations office in Seychelles, in partnership with the Seychelles National Youth Council, has organised a youth engagement event titled ‘Come Meet the Faces of the UN’, to mark the UN’s 80th anniversary. Held at Eden Bleu hotel on Sunday afternoon, the event brought together young people from across the country, including entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, students, and change makers from the Seychelles National Youth Assembly (SNYA), to learn more about the work of the United Nations and explore how they can contribute to both national and global priorities.
The event sought to raise awareness among youths about the UN’s mission, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which guides the UN’s partnership with Seychelles in promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development. Through the session, delegates had an interactive engagement session whereby they visited different tables to gain insights into each agency’s programmes, initiatives, and opportunities for youth involvement.
Delegates also had the opportunity to meet and engage directly with representatives from several UN agencies present in Seychelles, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
In her opening remarks, delivered virtually, UN resident coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Lisa Singh, said youth engagement is the fourth pillar for the UN team in Seychelles. Rhea Canaya of SNYA said this was the first time she had learned about the UN, and as a student of the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) she was happy to learn that the UN also works in agriculture and the green economy. The event successfully connected Seychellois youth with the UN, inspiring greater awareness and involvement in global and national development efforts.
