Learning important lessons in the unlikeliest places

Just as I was wondering if it all meant anything, I had the chance to address the General Assembly.

I said that young Australians expect the United Nations to do better. That we do not accept the logic that allows trade deals to be binding, but human rights protection to be optional. That we reject arguments of inevitability when it comes to poverty, environmental degradation and gender inequality. That young people will challenge decisions that are mired in ideology and orthodoxy, and thus UN members should seek their input seriously - not just from a few youth representatives.

It was, however, a side event that I organised with the Dutch youth rep that was my most meaningful achievement. Our keynote speaker was a young African-American woman from Harlem, named Aja-Monet Bacquie, whom I had met at a women’s conference. She is a youth activist and a bold spoken-word poet.

The UN is its own world - diplomats rarely step outside. So it was moving to hear Aja say, “If you travel for 15 minutes, this is what you’d find,” and illustrate life in Harlem’s housing projects.

Because we were discussing the Millennium Development Goals, Aja commented, “if you asked people from my project what poverty was, they wouldn’t say any of the things you’ve mentioned”. She said they would define poverty as a lack of control over your life, lack of a voice, having no ability to participate - things that run deeper than material deprivation.

I wasn’t sure how Aja-Monet would be received in a UN setting - where people were solemn and never applauded. But she received a standing ovation.

Overall, however, there was little “youth activity” at the UN. There were only about 20 countries that sent youth reps, so it was hard to be visible. Young people in developing countries were not well represented. We were a small group who could not honestly claim to represent international youth. It felt fraudulent enough to claim representation of all Australian youth - and here I was, expected to be a voice for the youth of the world! Nonetheless, moments like Aja’s speech convinced me that I had achieved something.

My year at the UN was a political education. And yet, despite the cynical realities, I remain convinced that every person has the capacity to change the world. In order to do so, however, we need to seek out unconventional experiences. We need to remember that real success is not just about educational attainment or great resumes, but connecting deeply with the stories around us.

As a Youth Representative, wayward law student and slightly mad traveller, I have realised that we will learn our most important lessons in the unlikeliest of places.