Towards a Global Youth Council to Prevent Existential Threats

As part of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, One Young World held its summit in Belfast on 2-5th October 2023. 

Building upon past collaborative initiatives with One Young World, Bertie Ahern shared reflections on what made the Good Friday Agreement a success as part of a panel discussion, with examples from other countries that drew upon this learning.

The InterAction Council was also pleased to collaborate on OYW's inaugural meeting to establish a Global Youth Council focused on preventing existential threats for humanity that prioritises the voice of generations and communities most challenged and impacted by existential threats.

This high-level meeting was hosted by Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland 1997-2008; and co-chaired by Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia 2010-2018, Nobel Peace Laureate, and member of The Elders.

IAC advisor Dr Jo Nurse gave a presentation, which can be viewed here.

OYW participants included (bios available here):

Tanya Afu, Solomon Islands

Noor Azizah, Australia

Barrise Griffin, Bahamas

Matai Muon, South Sudan

Lloyd Jose Nunag, Philippines

Fatou Senghore, Gambia 

Kolfinna Tomasdottir, Iceland

The following members were added to the Council following the Belfast Summit:

Ivana Feldfeber, Argentina

Victor A. Lopez-Carmen, United States

Isaac Olufadewa, Nigeria

Shadi Rouhshahbaz, Iran

Prachi Shevgaonkar, India

Yuhan Zheng, China

Talita Honorato-Rzeszewicz, Poland

As well as Dr Jo Nurse in her capacity as IAC advisor