About

Program Overview

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represent approximately 18 per cent of today’s global population, signifying the largest youth cohort in history. They are increasingly mobilizing and impacting social policy dialogue within their communities as well as at the global level.

Active youth participation at the United Nations is a critical contribution to successful international cooperation. The underlying principle of youth participation in the work of the Organization is that it leads to better policy and programmatic responses to the problems facing young people today. The United Nations recognizes that young people around the world are both a major human resource for development and key agents for social change, economic development and technological innovation.

The Programme is the focal point within the United Nations system in the area of youth development and matters related to young people, particularly in relation to the priority areas identified in the World Programme of Action for Youth

The Youth Delegate programme is coordinated by the Focal Point on Youth at the global level, but it is the responsibility of the Member States to establish a youth delegate programme at the national level, and to decide who will represent the young people of their country. The roles of a youth representative varies from country to country, but normally includes providing input to their delegation on issues related to youth and participate in their delegation’s general work through attending meetings and informal negotiations.

Participation in decision-making is one of the key priority areas of the United Nations agenda on youth. One mechanism of youth participation at the United Nations is through the inclusion of Youth Delegates in a country’s official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and various functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Including young people in official delegations to intergovernmental meetings not only enriches the debate and policy dialogue, but also strengthens existing channels of communication and cooperation between Governments and young people. Listening to youth and making them full partners in the decision-making process can help Governments enact more effective and legitimate policies and programmes, especially with regard to youth issues.

“By including young people in national delegations to United Nations meetings, Governments help them gain a better understanding of the intricacies of negotiations, the challenges of achieving consensus and the patience required to win diplomatic progress. These skills help young people no matter what course they choose in life. Moreover, the time spent representing the youth of their countries in the international arena can also inspire and encourage young people to participate more deeply at home, in the political life of their own societies, thereby counteracting the immense social costs of excluding young people.” – Ban Ki-moon

Upon return to their home countries, youth delegates often promote continued progress in the development and implementation of youth policies at the national level and encourage other young people to participate more fully in the development of their communities and nations. Youth delegates also spread awareness and knowledge about the work of the United Nations to young people in their home countries, making them important actors in promoting the aims and principles of the Organization.

Program in Ukraine

In Ukraine, the Youth Delegate to the UN Program was established in October 2014 and first Ukrainian Youth Delegates participated in the 69th session of the UN General Assembly. The Program was initiated by Viktoriia Shvydchenko and Viktoriya Luchka and was made possible thanks to the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Charitable Foundation. Since 2018 the program is implemented by the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation.

Youth delegates of Ukraine to the UN are elected by mandate for 1 year. During this period, they participate in the UN General Assembly sessions (Third Committee – Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs), have a three-week stay at the permanent representation of the UN in the USA, and also participate in other national and international conferences.

In addition, Youth Delegates of Ukraine to the UN must implement their own project within the mandate in coordination with program partners.

The main partners of the program are Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. 

Visa: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) acts as a liaison between the Delegate and the Embassy of the United States in Kyiv, Ukraine. MFA submits relevant documentation (note verbale) and passport of the candidate to the Embassy. This allows Youth Delegate to travel to the United States with a G2 visa (in order to get accreditation from UN Headquarters), which is valid for the time of Youth Delegate’s work at the UN. Upon arrival in the UN Headquarters in New York, the Youth Delegate is given a red D­ badge which allows the Delegate to participate in the sessions of Committees, informals and consultations. You can learn more about UN ground passes (badges) at UN PGA Handbook under Section “Badges” at page 32.

The Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation is a private foundation created by the wife and children of Dr. Bohdan Hawrylyshyn in 2017. The co-founders together with the foundation’s team continue to run various youth programs, which have been operational since 2009. The mission of the Foundation is to empower young aspiring changemakers to build a sustainable value-based Ukraine.

Bohdan Hawrylyshyn (1926-2016) was a world-renowned economist, visionary, and philanthropist. He was a member of the Club of Rome, and of the World Academy of Arts and Science, a co-founder of the World Economic Forum in Davos, and founder of MIM-Kyiv Business School. He acted as a consultant to countries and multinational companies and was an advisor to the first President of Ukraine, and to 4 speakers of Parliament and 3 Ukrainian prime ministers. He believed in the great potential of Ukraine and helped to develop it.

In 2014 Dr. Bohdan Hawrylyshyn developed the Declaration of Human Responsibilities which is currently promoting as part of the Global Call for Human Responsibility Day.

Program Goals

In Ukraine, Youth Delegate to the UN Program aims at:

  1. Activating and supporting youth movement in Ukraine;
  2. Introducing young people to the principles of the United Nations’ work;
  3. Establishing a dialogue between Ukrainian government and youth;
  4. Increasing youth representation in the governmental structures;
  5. Educating active and talented youth interested in international relations, United Nations and diplomacy;
  6. Representing effectively  Ukrainian youth on a global level;
  7. Promoting Ukraine as a progressive and active participant of international processes;
  8. Raising awareness about the latest world trends in youth policy and UN youth policy specifically;
  9. Developing global youth strategy within the United Nations’ system in the best interest of Ukrainian youth

Funding

Costs related to travel and stay in New York City in 2014 – 2022 were covered by Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation.

Costs related to travel and stay in New York City in 2023 – 2025 were covered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact. The contents of this event are the sole responsibility of Pact and its implementing partners and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. 

From 2025, the Youth Delegate to the UN Program is financially supported by the Ukrainian-American public organization «Razom for Ukraine».