Feature

The United Nations 7th Annual Youth Assembly

Hasib Reza

With a shudder the plane finally touched the tarmac as I let out a great big sigh of relief. It had been a give or take of seventeen hours confined to a back numbing small seat, in a pressurized cabin among hundreds of passengers - and one incessantly perturbing child to whom I would do some very mean things if I had it my way. But, I was finally there. The Location: New York. The Objective: to represent Bangladesh on the 7th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations.

Quite unlike the secret mission that I have just made it sound like, the UN Youth Assembly is a congregation of youth who are chosen to be leaders in their fields from all over the world. At the assembly they are educated and given a platform to speak out to the UN and the world, on Millennium Development Goals and how they could be exercised to make the world a better place.

The Millennium Development Goals were devised by the UN back in 2000. The motive was to place measurable targets on the global development scenario by the end of 2015. Amongst the 15 Millennium Development Goals some are eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality etc.

Needless to say, the three-day event was expected to be a melting pot of new innovations and perspectives. And, with much expectation I was one amongst many waiting in queue on a scorching New York summer morning, in front of the colossal 39-story structure - that is the UN headquarters.

We were not left unattended for long, and soon were formally welcomed by Mr. Patrick Sciarratta, the ever-cheerful Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Youth Assembly. However, the event did not have its auspicious start when a large projector suddenly stopped working between his opening speech. But witty Mr. Sciarratta managed to bring back the audience immediately with the remark “technology is great….when it works”. Following was a humorous speech that spurted laughter among the audience, as he explained what was to be expected at this year's assembly.

In fact the three day event hosted motivating speakers from all walks of life ranging from Ms. Gillian Sorensen - the ex UN Assistant General for External Relations, to Mr. Jason Rzepka - Vice President of Public Affairs, MTV. In all fairness, the glittery presentation video of the latter was again remarked by Mr. Scirarratta as “the sexiest video to be ever shown at UN!” The speakers shared personal anecdotes and endeavors on how they had helped to ameliorate social conditions all around the world. Their efforts were always varied and sometimes rather unusual. As for the lady who decided to cross the Atlantic Ocean with almost no navigation experience at all, to aware people on the necessity of providing access to drinking water all over the world. Even more unusual is the fact that she had succeeded in becoming the youngest American ever to complete this arduous task. Others spoke about unfamiliar innovations such as the company called Teracycle that literally scavenges your dustbins for resources to fertilizers and other usable commodities. There was also the travelling theatre group that endangers their own lives to provide however little means of entertainment to the despondent people in war-stricken Afghanistan amongst many others.

It was often that where each of us came from, was very different from the other. But, despite all distinctions everyone in the hall from China to Liberia to Bangladesh to Finland had one very common topic to discuss that is the development of their countries and the world. People from around 35 countries voiced their views in this year's Youth Assembly. And I was fortunate to meet people such as Latif from Gambia - who showed me pictures of him being taken to prison for voicing his opinions in his country and Joan from United States who saves money all year to do voluntary work in different countries. They let me take pictures after dressing me up in their traditional attires, and by the end of the three days - I had tried local cuisines of more countries than ever before. In return I had told stories about my homeland and its lush greenery, ever-stretching coastlines and undulating mangrove rainforests. And when it was time to say goodbye I was mesmerized to hear people coming up to me and say “Abar dekha hobe” in a commendable semblance of Bengali. I would like to think that I taught them well!

By the end of the final day, I was rather sad. It was a terrific experience to say the least. But, my newfound friends also inspired me. We had all agreed that the Youth Assembly was only the small first step to a long nerve-racking journey. I hope that when I return next year, I will have more inspired Bangladeshi's representing beside me.

(The writer is the secretary of International Affairs Club at IUB and is also a student of Media & Communications there.)