YLYP Newsletter: April 2023

There was more youth participation during this CSW than ever before! Some of the highlights were the first-ever Youth Interactive Dialogue, the Youth Forum, and the Youth Morning Briefing where young people and youth movement allies gathered to learn about, advocate for, and activate around youth engagement at the CSW67 and NGO CSW67 Forum. Read our reflections about the youth engagement at CSW below.

Youth are also technical experts!
Youth are experts in their own lived experience and can share perspectives on young people’s innovation and interaction with digital technology. Yet, some young people are also thematic experts on digital technology, education, and innovation. They have experience that moves beyond simply a young person’s perspective. Youth are able to show their concern and offer contributions to those older than them and also those younger than them. This is leadership. This is expertise. And this is something the youth are learning about: that they can share their technical expertise as it applies to the topic at large and as it applies to all people.

Professionalism of young people
There are skill sets that young people wield very easily – social media, online presence and digital diplomacy are some examples. Young people who show up in CSW spaces are professionals, well-read and well-versed on the issues, experiences at the grassroots, knowledgable in the geopolitical intricacies and skilled in showing diplomatic respect and wisdom. We especially saw these skills being put into practice during our Virtual Vienna Cafe sessions, where young people very effectively joined discussions with Member States about their priorities and recommendations related to the CSW67 priority theme.

Appropriate advocacy culture at the CSW
Skill sets around protest and disruption may work in grassroots, community, and local spaces, but they actually don’t serve us, especially youth, within UN meetings. It can actually damage relationships with Member States and UN agencies, and risks closing spaces to civil society, not only for the youth, but for all civil society actors. We must do better in galvanizing youth and civil society for meaningful change within these UN spaces in a way that is respectful, diplomatic, and effective.

Watch the recording of NGO CSW/NY’s April Monthly Meeting where the YLYP co-chairs hosted a conversation around youth engagement at the CSW67 and some of these reflections.

Each year, the Youth Leaders & Young Professionals host an event series leading up to the CSW and NGO CSW Forum. The series aims to prepare youth to have a meaningful and effective experience at the CSW.  The seven events in the series include informational panels, advocacy training, and professional development and networking sessions.

The Youth Preparation Series for NGO CSW67 started on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 and continued every Wednesday until the CSW in March. Watch the available recordings via the Youtube playlist below.

NGO CSW67 Forum
Interactive Handbook

Download the official NGO CSW67
Forum Handbook to see the full list of events, read exclusive high-level statements, and check out the
Handbook Ads from our sponsors at
the end of the Handbook!

Download the Interactive Handbook.

Generation Equality @ NGO CSW67 Forum

Check out the Generation Equality Exhibit Booths here for more information about the Action Coalitions, WPS-HA Compact, and Global Care Alliance.

You can also check out the Generation Equality website here.

Join us for an in-person screening of the documentary, Velvet Revolution for our local members and friends!

In this exciting collaborative film six women directors take their lens up close to women making news in a world riven with conflict and dictatorial regimes. When journalists are constantly under threat, what drives these women to do their jobs?

Date: Tuesday, 16 May
Time: 1 – 3pm EDT

This screening will take place in-person at CCUN on the 2nd floor. There will be no virtual component or livestream.

For our first Monthly Meeting after the CSW67, NGO CSW/NY hosted a debrief of the CSW67 outcomes. We looked at different aspects of the CSW67 with speakers from Member State, civil society, and UN spaces. The three main aspects we covered were the CSW67 Agreed Conclusions negotiations, youth engagement at the CSW67, and the Generation Equality campaign (GEF).

Before the program began, Exhale to Inhale hosted a 15-minute trauma-informed yoga practice. This practice is perfect for people of all ages and experiences!

See the full concept note and program with speaker info.

If you are a young person looking for speaking opportunities at the UN, during our Youth Preparation Series, at the NGO CSW67 Forum, or elsewhere, please fill out this form with your information.

Our YLYP community is over 3,000 people strong! We want to map our global community to see where you’re all located! This map is also a good resource for finding other YLYPs in your region or country! Click the link below to add a pin on the map and introduce yourself!