Agents of Change: Empowering European minority youth to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

November 9, 2022

With the support of the Council of Europe, and in partnership with the European Free Alliance Youth (EFAy) the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizarion (UNPO) brought together youth activists from across Europe for a second study session of political participation and international advocacy.

The Study session co-organised between UNPO, EFAy and the Council of Europe between October 16th and October 22nd 2022 combined areas of activity from each of the project partners. It had a particular focus on topics including minority participation; the right to self-determination; and conflict prevention for the benefit of European minority youth. The StS provided a platform for young people to learn about the principles behind sustainable and inclusive societies, and the means to implement them, whilst also advancing minority youth participation in political processes.

Previously, in September 2021, the UNPO, EFAy, YEN, and the European Youth Centre convened 35 young minority and indigenous rights activists for a study session on the closing space for civil society and political participation. These activists hailed from across the Council of Europe region, representing ethnic communities both from traditional European national minorities and minorities from other regions who are now settled in Europe. The programme sparked the kernel of a European pan-minority movement dedicated to campaigning for the rights of minorities and indigenous communities within Europe and outside of it. Building on it, the study session organised last October 2022 took the opportunity to bring to the next level the European minority youth participating. The StS intended to support each of them to become leading civil society and political actors in the movement for achieving peaceful and inclusive societies in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.

Gathering and engaging with a diverse group of minority youth leaders, including European national minorities and European-based representatives from minorities and indigenous communities from abroad, the Study Session has been a unique opportunity, as well as an impetus for improving political participation, civic space, inclusion and solidarity for minority and indigenous communities in Europe.

In this line, the study session mainly (a) provided to the participants with the skills to engage in national and regional political processes and (b) facilitated a process through which the participants can collaborate on common issues going forward. Furthermore, during the week youth from different communities were able to connect, share their knowledge and experience inspire one another, and educate each other on issues related to their respective nations and people. It has been reported to UNPO that the social interaction between youth from different communities has brought a deeper insight, respect, and appreciation of national diversity.

The week was also highlighted by the introduction of several diverse high-profile experts, including lawyers, academics, politicians, and minority activists which has enabled them to further equip themselves with knowledge and information about minorities on the ground and their experience as activists.

Some of the experts delivered provided key training sessions around conflict resolution, advocacy, self-determination and inclusion, and understanding non-violent political participation. Both parties, youth, and experts were impressed at the level of engagement, their experience, and knowledge of the other party and wishes to collaborate.

The participants of the training had also the opportunity to participate in the launching of the UNPO report“Compromised Spaces Europe : Voices of Victims of Espionage and Reprisals in Europe” . The conference provided a moment for them to hear, learn and share experiences with other participants and EU policy makers about the issue of intimidation and reprisals against diaspora community, civil society, activist and human rights defenders issued from minority communities, in European soil.

During the last days of the session, one “model UNPO” day was organised. A simulation of how UNPO’s member engage in a General Assembly discussing international affairs and bridge long-standing geopolitical divides.

Last but not least, the study session has led to the creation of the first international youth movement advocating for youth causes from unrepresented nations and people. The 35 young minority and indigenous activists, of like minds goals and ambitions, united to pursue their activism by raising awareness on unrepresented people and nations and by sharing their knowledge on topics including self-determination, language rights, cultural promotion, and youth empowerment. This new organization, UNPO Youth Network, aims to strengthen young people’s sense of identity and diversity by fostering cultural, linguistic, and ethnic richness.

UNPO is proud of its collaboration with youth activists of minorities within Europe and its role in bringing them together with refugees from other minorities around the world. We thank our partners at the European Free Alliance and the Council of Europe as well as the University of Oxford, Dr. Liam Saddington from the Univestity of Cambridge and Mr. Tendor Dorjee Senior Researcher and Strategist, Tibet Action Institute.

Download documents:

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Dr Liam Saddington

Dr. Liam Saddington is a political and environmental geographer focused on the geopolitical impacts of climate change, particularly for small island states and the rising sea levels. His research on the UK’s evolving role in the South Pacific offers key insights into environmental degradation and displacement. He co-developed the Model UNPO, bringing conflict resolution and debates on human rights and environmental justice to UK schools. He serves as the academic advisor for the UNPO Youth Network and contributes to study sessions in partnership with the Council of Europe, contributing his expertise to global advocacy efforts.

Alexandra Gavilano

Alexandra Gavilano is an environmental scientist and climate justice decolonisation and democracy activist. With a focus on environmental protection, democratic decision-making, and personal and collective adaptation, Gavilano brings a wealth of experience in grassroots activism and advocacy to UNPO. As a climate and food justice activist, Gavilano has co-launched initiatives and associations that address social and ecological challenges. Her focus lies on system change for environmental protection, strengthening of democratic decision-making, and personal and collective deep adaptation. She serves as UNPO’s Sustainable Empowerment Campaign advisor.

Prof Francesco Palermo

Francesco Palermo is a professor of comparative constitutional law at the University of Verona and Director of the Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research in Bolzano/Bozen. He worked for the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and was member and president of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. From 2013 to 2018 he served as a non-party member of the Italian Senate, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU for the term 2018-2023 and Constitutional Adviser to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Autonomies since 2019. He has authored over 300 publications, including 11 monographs and 36 edited volumes. He serves as UNPO’s Democratic Pluralism advisor.

Dr Tenzin Dorjee

Tenzin Dorjee, also known as Tendor, is a Tibetan writer, activist, and scholar based in New York, specializing in nonviolent resistance and the intersection of religion, politics, and conflict. His work, including the book ‘The Tibetan Nonviolent Struggle’, reflects his deep commitment to human rights and political change. He combines academia and activism, with a strong academic background from Brown and Columbia, he has also led organizations like Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibet Action Institute.

Prof Fiona McConnell

Fiona McConnell is a Professor of Political Geography at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow in Geography at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. Her research, which began with a focus on the exiled Tibetan government, now explores governance beyond the state and the articulation of political legitimacy by marginalized communities. Since joining the UNPO in 2012, she has been instrumental in developing the Unrepresented Diplomats Training Program and the Model UNPO, and co-authored influential reports on compromised spaces. As a political geographer, Fiona’s research aims to develop new areas of thinking regarding governance beyond the state, and has been Awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize and the Back Award. Fiona’s work continues to shape the discourse on self-determination and diplomacy.

Dr Michael van Walt van Praag

Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag is a distinguished international lawyer and expert in intra-state conflict resolution, known for his foundational role as the first General Secretary of the UNPO. In addition to his involvement with our organization, Dr. van Walt possesses extensive experience in facilitating peace processes and mediation, having facilitated peace talks throughout the world and lent his expertise as an advisor and consultant to governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in such processes. He currently serves as executive president of Kreddha and is a Senior Fellow at the Sompong Sucharitkul Center. In 2020, he was awarded a knighthood by the King and the Dutch government for his exceptional global contributions to conflict resolution and the rights of oppressed peoples.

Putheany Kim

Putheany Kim, mostly known as Kim, is a dedicated young activist passionate about human rights and environmental justice. Inspired by her father and driven by her aspiration to become a human rights ambassador, Kim has committed herself to promote a more equitable and sustainable future. Her work emphasizes collaboration, as she has built strong alliances with organizations and fellow activists recognising the power of unity in effecting meaningful change.

Senator Paul Strauss

Paul Strauss, is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States shadow senator for the District of Columbia since 1997. As a member of the Democratic Party, he advocated for D.C. statehood and federal representation. Strauss, also a former chairperson of the District’s Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals and a union organizer, is the principal of the Law Offices of Paul Strauss & Associates, P.C. He has been involved in various local and national political roles, including a significant role in the “51 Stars” campaign for D.C. statehood and international advocacy efforts. He has testified before the U.S. Senate, engaged with international bodies, and is an honorary member of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law.

Tammy Breedt

Tammy, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a dedicated politician and activist. She studied at the University of the Free State, where she was a student activist and served on the Student Representative Council. Tammy has been an active member of the Freedom Front Plus since 2006 and served in the Free State Legislature until 2019. After the 2019 General Elections, she became one of the first female Members of Parliament for the party, serving as the National Spokesperson on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Social Development, Women, and Youth. Currently the Deputy Chairperson of the party in the Free State, Tammy also leads the foreign relations and internationalization committee.

Elisenda Paluzie

Professor Elisenda Paluzie is a prominent economist at the University of Barcelona, where she served as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business from 2009 to 2017. She holds an MA in in International and Development Economics from Yale University and a PhD in Economics from the University of Barcelona. With research experience from the London School of Economics, CERAS-ENPC in Paris, and Kyoto University, her work focuses on regional and urban economics and international trade. She served as President of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) from 2018 to 2022.

Rubina Greenwood

Dr. Rubina Greenwood is a prominent Sindh human rights advocate with more than 20 years of experience raising awareness on the human rights issues affecting the Sindh community in Pakistan. She is the President and founder of the International Sindhi Women’s Origination (ISWO) and President of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC). She has a Phd in Architecture from University of Glasgow and she is currently Director of Network Integration for the Network Rail Consulting.

Mercè Monje Cano

Mercè Monje Cano is a socio-cultural project manager and accomplished human rights advocate with over fifteen years of experience in advocacy, project management and strategic planning. Before her appointment as UNPO Secretary General, she had been serving as the Executive Director and Head of Programmes at the UNPO, where she also acted as the UN Representative. She has managed programmes, led numerous UN advocacy efforts, coordinate various human rights initiatives, and led trainings on advocacy techniques, showcasing her expertise in advancing the rights of minorities, indigenous peoples, and unrepresented groups.