The Albanian Youth Delegate to the United Nations (UNYD Albania) is a program that aims to increase, as well as encourage the participation of the Albanian youth and their views in the decision-making process at the national and international level. Since its launching in 2019, it has so far supported the successful mandates of three generations of youth delegates, culminating with their inclusion in the National Delegation of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The programme is established and run by United Nations Association Albania (UNAA) in partnership with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for Youth and Children, National Youth Congress of Albania, UNICEF Albania and the UN Country Team in Albania. The programme is established under the framework of Tirana European Youth Capital 2022
The UN Youth Delegate Programme is a well-established initiative in around 40 member states, demonstrating the UN’s commitment to supporting youth participation in high-level forums and meetings, as a mechanism for shaping the future and working towards the 2030 Agenda. An all-inclusive jury will follow the selection process step-by-step, ensuring a fair process for the next gender-balanced youth delegation that will represent the Republic of Albania to the UN General Assembly and other intergovernmental conferences in September. Before and after delivering a speech at the UNGA, the youth delegates will receive all the necessary training through a set of preparatory meetings, conduct meetings with other young people in different cities, and create meaningful relations with their peers.
The programme includes a process of national consultations with Albanian youth and youth NGO-s in different cities and regions in Albania, in order to equip the selected youth delegates (YDs) with a better insight into youth needs and potential. The YDs also work closely with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and different trainings by former UN Youth Delegates in Europe and UNAA’s staff.
The two selected Youth Delegates of 2023, will participate in the 78th UN General Assembly in New York as youth advisers providing input to the Albanian delegation on issues related to youth, as well as participate in the delegation’s general work through attending meetings, informal negotiations and addressing the Third Committee of the UNGA.
UNYD Albania is enshrined in the belief in the potential of the Albanian Youth as the key factor that will bring change and development in the country. Our invested interest since the creation of UNAA, has been the empowerment, the enabling and the creation of role models for the youth to be active and to be in the forefront of meaningful actions. This specific programme is an opportunity to contribute to forming civic role models, increase the participation of youth in political bodies in the international level, and provide a mechanism for them to be heard. In order to ensure sustainability, upon their return, the YDs will share their experience through diverse public mediums, will be encouraged to actively follow and provide inputs for youth policies, and assist the next year’s Albanian Youth Delegates. UNYD Albania is considered to be a valuable contributor to enhancing democracy in Albania by providing an additional mechanism for the youth’s voice to be heard.
