Yogyakarta, 24 October 2019—The UN celebrated its 74th anniversary this October. Today, the youth are playing a significant role in international politics. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight the importance of the youth in achieving these goals.
The youth can contribute in fulfilling the SDGs in their daily lives, according to Vania Santoso, the Project Officer of UNICEF in Indonesia. Vania was one of the panellists in the United Nations Day 2019, which was held by GEO Fisipol and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC). This event was held last Thursday in the Second Multimedia Room in the Central Building of UGM.
“Social activists and the youth shouldn’t be afraid to speak up and express themselves. If they have brilliant ideas or even real positive contributions at the grassroots level, they should be confident enough to take it to the international level,” Vania stated.
Vania Santoso won the Green Ticket to participate in the climate forum in the UN headquarters through the success of her social entrepreneurship project, heySTARTIC. This project focuses on managing waste into fashion goods. Moreover, Dr. Nurhadi, lecturer from the Department of Social Development and Welfare, was also present as a panellist. He explained the importance of the youth in contributing to sustainable development.
“This agenda will be very influential, as the current generation grew up with the SDGs, as well as the problems that haunt them,” Nurhadi stated. Afterwards, this event was opened by Prof. Dr, Erwan Agus Purwanto (the Dean of Fisipol) and Ms. Francyne Harrigan (the Director of UNIC Indonesia).
The opening speech of this event was proceeded by the introduction of UNIC Indonesia. UNIC explained about the UN and its cooperation with Indonesia. Relations between the UN and Indonesia itself can be traced back to 1950. Recently, Indonesia was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2019-2020 term.
This event was closed by a symbolic tree planting ceremony in the western courtyard of Fisipol. The Dean of Fisipol and the Director of UNIC Indonesia planted the trees. This showcases the importance of collaboration in tackling climate change. Moreover, this ceremony also symbolized the efforts of the youth in combatting climate change, as the youth were represented by the tree that will contribute positively for the environment.