With the support of the Council of Europe, UNPO Youth brought together 21 youth activists from 15 different communities for its first youth-led study session on “Achieving Justice through our Youth Minorities: Building Capacity to Work Together for a Fairer Future”.
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization Youth Network (UNPOy) is proud to announce the successful completion of a study session, held from November 4th to 9th, at the European Youth Centre Budapest (EYCB). With the goal of equipping participants with essential skills and knowledge to enhance their capacity and effectively advocate for the right to self-determination, the session brought together young people from 15 communities: Aceh, Brittany, Zambesia, Khmer-Krom, Tibet, Crimean Tatars, Roma people, Latin American indigenous women, Ogaden, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Catalonia, West Balochistan, Ahwazi Arabs, Wales, and Sicilia.
The week-long study session set out several core objectives designed to deepen participants’ understanding of self-determination and empower them as advocates for change:
- Enhancing Knowledge: Participants gained a broader understanding of self-determination in diverse political and cultural contexts, equipping them with the tools to navigate these complex issues within their own communities.
- Exploring Key Topics: The training covered critical topics related to self-determination, including transitional justice, explained by expert Shima Silavi, and climate justice, presented by guest lecturer Dr. Liam Saddington from Cambridge University.
Both sessions explored these issues from the perspective of marginalized youth, ensuring that the discussions centered on
their unique challenges, experiences, and the role they play in advocating for change.
- Addressing Key Challenges: Participants examined key challenges faced by marginalized communities, including the growing prevalence of hate speech.
They explored how these issues undermine their ability to engage in democratic processes and discussed actionable strategies to combat hate speech while strengthening their representation in an increasingly hostile political landscape. - Building Practical Skills: The session also focused on developing key practical skills, including negotiation and pitch techniques. Participants practiced communication and advocacy skills through interactive exercises, equipping them to effectively champion the rights of their communities in both local and international settings.
- Model UNPO Simulation: A dynamic component of the training featured a simulation activity modeled after the United Nations, called Model UNPO. In this exercise, participants replicated a General Assembly, engaging in discussions on international affairs and bridging geopolitical differences. They practiced negotiation, consensus-building, and diplomacy, applying these skills in a real-world context to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in international advocacy.
- Building Solidarity: The session provided a platform for intercultural exchange, fostering solidarity and understanding among participants
- from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the strength that comes from unity in the struggle for self-determination.
- Capacity Building: Emphasis was placed on strengthening capacity-building skills, with a focus on enhancing collaboration between young activists and the UNPOy, promoting lasting partnerships and collective action.
- Encouraging Follow-Up Initiatives: Participants were encouraged to develop follow-up initiatives within their own communities, with a focus on ensuring these projects are collaboratively managed with the UNPOy network for long-term impact and sustainability. They proposed innovative ideas such as online courses dedicated to preserving their community languages, cultural events showcasing traditional food and artifacts, and sports competitions involving teams made up of members from unrepresented nations and peoples. These, along with many other creative initiatives, reflect the participants’ commitment to fostering cultural preservation, unity, and empowerment within their communities.
Through this study session, UNPOy not only equipped youth activists with essential knowledge and skills but also inspired a lasting commitment to advocacy and action in support of the self-determination of unrepresented communities worldwide.
