In a significant move to bridge the gap between international policy and local action, the United Nations House in Abuja hosted an energetic “Open-Door Youth Engagement” session on Wednesday.
The event featured Felipe Paullier, the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Youth Affairs and Head of the UN Youth Office, who met directly with Nigerian youth leaders to discuss the future of global decision-making.
Amplifying the Voices of Nigeria’s Youth
The engagement served as a high-level platform for young people and various youth organizations to voice their concerns and aspirations. ASG Paullier emphasized that the visit was not merely a formal courtesy but a transformational consultation designed to ensure that youth perspectives are at the heart of the UN’s strategic planning.
Throughout the session, participants discussed the barriers to youth inclusion and the need for more robust representation in governance. Paullier’s presence underscored the UN’s commitment to treating young people as partners in progress rather than just beneficiaries of aid.
A Focus on Intergenerational Collaboration
A central theme of the dialogue was the power of intergenerational collaboration. The discussions highlighted how combining the experience of veteran policymakers with the innovation and fresh perspectives of the youth can create a more lasting impact on national and global scales.
The UN Nigeria office noted that these spaces are essential for fostering an environment where innovation can thrive, particularly in a country like Nigeria, which boasts one of the largest youth populations in the world.
Commitment to Lasting Impact
During the interactive session, Paullier reiterated the necessity of creating permanent channels for dialogue. He stressed that for change to be sustainable, young people must be actively shaping decisions rather than being invited to the table as an afterthought.
“This engagement underscores the importance of spaces where youth perspectives actively shape decisions, and where intergenerational collaboration fosters inclusion, innovation, and lasting impact,” Paullier stated during the session.
The event concluded with a call to action for youth groups to remain persistent in their advocacy, while the UN pledged to continue providing the platforms necessary to amplify youth voices across the continent.
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