Piece by Peace: A Collaborative UNESCO Youth Movement to a Brighter Future

Aotearoa New Zealand, UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders
The UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders are a team of 7 young people aged 18 to 25 who serve a two-year term with the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. New members join the team each year, so Youth Leaders overlap across cohorts rather than starting and finishing together.
Each year, one member takes on the role of ‘Special Advisor Youth’ for a one-year term. The Special Advisor Youth attends all National Commission meetings and acts as the point of communication between the secretariat, commissioners and Youth Leaders rōpū (group), as well as facilitating Youth Leader contributions back up to the secretariat’s mahi (work).

1. Youth Leaders act as advisors to the National Commission, helping to shape inclusive ways for young people to be engaged across the Commission's key themes and programme areas.
2. Youth Leaders serve as ambassadors of UNESCO’s objectives, working to build UNESCO's profile in Aotearoa New Zealand and initiatives that align with UNESCO's mandate.
3. Youth Leaders advocate for Aotearoa New Zealand youth voices in UNESCO discussions and contribute insights from Aotearoa New Zealand's youth at regional and international platforms.

Written by Madiha Ali, Mary Ieremia-Allan, Ryn Peni Matenga, Tara Sheperd, Wesley Tanuvasa and Zana Monaghan, UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders

Canada, Youth Advisory Group and Youth Chair to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) engages with youth in Canada through a Youth Advisory Group model and the Youth Chair.
Youth have been invited to participate in the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) to identify areas of concern in the communities and nationally, to develop projects, and to make recommendations based on their perspectives and experiences periodically over several years. This group of 25 members has represented all regions of Canada and has been at the heart of CCUNESCO’s activities for several years. As CCUNESCO evolves to meet the ongoing needs of Canadians, the future of youth engagement is adapting to ensure that youth voices are more meaningfully included at all levels and in all sectors of CCUNESCO’s initiatives.
Youth are also represented by a Youth Chair at CCUNESCO’s Board level who advocates for youth priorities in Canada and represents Canadian priorities internationally with wider UNESCO youth initiatives.

Written by Kimberley Fraser-Airhart, Youth Chair of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO

Curaçao, The UNESCO Curaçao Youth Committee
The UNESCO Curaçao Youth Committee is a strategic advisory body that bridges the National Commission and the island’s youth population. Composed of nine members aged 16 to 30, the Committee convenes bimonthly to ensure young voices are formally integrated into national policy-making. Our mission centers on the belief that sustainable progress requires meaningful youth participation.
Operating as a consultative liaison, we provide evidence-based insights across UNESCO’s core pillars: Education, Science, Culture, and Communication. We translate global mandates into localized initiatives, utilizing guest lectures, workshops, and school outreach to ensure our advisory efforts remain grounded in the contemporary needs of Curaçaoan youth.
Beyond our advisory functions, the Youth Committee cultivates future leaders by preparing representatives to advocate for national interests at local, regional, and international forums. We are dedicated to ensuring Curaçao’s youth are informed, active partners in shaping the island’s future.

Written by Luis Alberto Placencio Villalobos, Representative of The UNESCO Curaçao Youth Committee

Denmark, Youth Representatives to the Danish UNESCO National Commission
Currently, there are two youth representatives on the Danish UNESCO National Commission. They participate in the Commission as full members, with the same rights and responsibilities as the other members.
One of the youth representatives is selected by the National Union of Students in Denmark, as stipulated in the internal regulations of the National Commission. Until now, the second youth representative has also been selected by the same organization, although there is no regulation requiring this.
Like the other members of the National Commission, the youth representatives serve four-year terms. Their mandates follow a "senior/junior" system, with the two terms overlapping by two years. As a result, whenever a new youth representative begins their term, they serve alongside a representative who has already been in the role for two years, ensuring continuity and knowledge transfer.

Written by Julian Lo Curlo, former Youth Representative to the Danish UNESCO National Commission

Finland, Finland’s UNESCO Youth Delegates
Young people are engaged in UNESCO decision-making through Finland's UNESCO Youth Delegate Programme, which ensures that youth perspectives are represented in both national and international UNESCO processes. The Youth Delegate Programmes in Finland are coordinated by the Finnish National Youth Council.
Finland’s UNESCO Youth Delegates participate in the UNESCO General Conference as members of the Finnish delegation and attend the UNESCO Youth Forum. In addition, they take part in UNESCO’s Nordic Countries’ yearly meeting held in a Nordic country. Whenever possible, they also contribute to the preparation of other UNESCO-related activities, particularly in the fields of science and research.
In addition, the UNESCO Youth Delegates have been invited to participate as an expert in meetings of the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO, which is a way of strengthening youth voices in the Finnish government’s advisory body, the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO.
Appointed by the Finnish National Youth Council, UNESCO Youth Delegates serve as elected youth representatives who bring the perspectives, priorities, and aspirations of their generation into policy discussions. They facilitate dialogue between young people and decision-makers and contribute to shaping political processes at both the national and international levels.
The Youth Delegates collaborate closely with one another as well as with young people, youth representatives, and stakeholders across national, Nordic, European, and global networks, strengthening youth participation and international cooperation. In the field of UNESCO, the Nordic Youth Delegate collaboration is particularly strong and facilitated by the Nordic UNESCO Youth Coordination Network, a network coordinated by the Nordic UNESCO Youth Delegates themselves.
The Youth Delegate mandate lasts for two years. During the first year, the delegate serves as a Junior Youth Delegate, followed by a second year as a Senior Youth Delegate, during which they mentor and support the newly appointed junior delegate. This model aims to promote continuity, peer learning, and the sustained integration of youth perspectives into UNESCO's work.

Written by Kaarina Harkonmäki (former UNESCO Youth Delegate of Finland 2024-2025), Iina-Lotta Kuisma (UNESCO Youth Delegate of Finland 2025-2026), and Senja Tertsunen (UNESCO Youth Delegate of Finland 2026-2027)

Germany, German UNESCO Youth Forum
The German UNESCO Youth Forum consists of 18 young people aged 18 to 30 who serve a three year mandate. Members meet twice a year and are represented in the expert committees and governing bodies of the German Commission for UNESCO.
The Forum brings young people's perspectives into UNESCO related discussions and contributes ideas and recommendations to the Commission's work. Members can raise topics they consider underrepresented, develop their own projects, and organize exchanges with actors from across the UNESCO family, including UNESCO Chairs, Associated Schools, Biosphere Reserves, Geoparks, and World Heritage sites.

Written by Emma Steinbrück, Chair of the German UNESCO Youth Forum

Ghana, Youth Representatives to the Ghana Commission for UNESCO
The Ghana Commission for UNESCO promotes youth participation by identifying, nominating, and supporting young people to engage in UNESCO programmes, forums, and initiatives at the national, regional, and international levels. Through open calls for applications, the Commission provides opportunities for young Ghanaians to participate in UNESCO processes, selecting youth representatives based on their leadership, experience, expertise, and commitment to advancing UNESCO’s mandate.
The Ghana Commission for UNESCO works closely with several government institutions, civil society organizations, and academic institutions to implement UNESCO programmes and initiatives across the country. These partnerships support the promotion of education, science, culture, communication, and sustainable development while creating platforms for young people to contribute to national and global conversations.
Ghanaian youth representatives serve as ambassadors of UNESCO values, bringing youth perspectives into discussions on issues such as sustainable development, climate action, education, cultural preservation, and social inclusion. They contribute through advocacy, community initiatives, research, knowledge-sharing, and engagement with other young people.
The Commission continues to strengthen meaningful youth participation by creating pathways for young people to move beyond participation as beneficiaries and become active partners in shaping UNESCO-related programmes, policies, and initiatives in Ghana.

Written by Adigao Alvin Wenia, Ghana’s Youth Delegate - 14th UNESCO Youth Forum

Iceland, Youth Representative in the Icelandic National Commission of UNESCO
The UNESCO youth delegate from Iceland is appointed by the National Youth Council of Iceland (ice: Landssamband Ungmennafélaga), where its member organisations democratically vote among candidates nominated by the National Youth Council’s member organisations. The one who receives the most votes is elected to serve as youth delegate to the Icelandic UNESCO National Commission for two years.
While serving as a full-fledged board member of Iceland’s UNESCO National Commission, the youth delegate also sits on the board of the Vigdis International Centre for Multilingualism and Intercultural Understanding, which operates under the auspices of UNESCO. The youth delegate also participates in the UNESCO Youth Forum and is a part of the Icelandic delegation to the UNESCO General Conference.
The Youth Delegate collaborates closely with youth representatives, the UN office in Reykjavík, and with stakeholders across national, Nordic, European, and global networks, strengthening youth participation and international cooperation. In the field of UNESCO, the Nordic Youth Delegate-collaboration is particularly strong and facilitated by the Nordic UNESCO Youth Network, a network coordinated by the Nordic UNESCO Youth Delegates themselves.

Written by Arna Dís Heiðarsdóttir, Iceland’s UN Youth Delegate on Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO)

The Netherlands, UNESCO Netherlands Youth Commission
The UNESCO Netherlands Youth Commission is a group of 11 young people of 16-24 years old who dedicate four hours per week for one year to UNESCO. The Chair dedicates 10 hours per week. The Youth Commission is appointed by two members of the UNESCO Netherlands Bureau; the organ supporting the National Commission.

1. The UNESCO Netherlands Youth Commission gives advice to the UNESCO Netherlands National Commission. The Chair and Vice-Chair attend National Commission-meetings, and there are online advisory sessions at an early stage of the development of a project or programme.
2. They give guest lectures at UNESCO Schools throughout the country, disseminating the importance of UNESCO topics to a broader public of young people.
3. They independently organise events and projects with support of the National Commission. Examples are a film and panel evening about women’s rights, a project to provide better access to free menstrual products in schools, and a panel event on inclusivity in STEM.
   The UNESCO Netherlands Youth Commission makes UNESCO ideas accessible to a broad public through her activities and through an independent social media account coordinated by two of the members of the Youth Commission.

Written by Tobya Monté, Chair of the UNESCO Netherlands Youth Commission

The Philippines, Youth Focal to the UNESCO Philippine National Commission
The UNESCO Philippine National Commission designates a Youth Focal in its organization from 2024. The youth focal point is responsible for ensuring that youth engagement and empowerment are mainstreamed and promoted in all of the National Commission's role. He/She also prepares the Youth Section for the Annual Report of the office where all Filipino youth engagement in UNESCO-platforms is highlighted.
Moreover, The UNESCO Philippine National Commission assigns an “MAB Youth Focal” for the Man and Biosphere Program. The National Commission also harnesses the UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools Network to engage young Filipinos in its initiatives.

Written by Rajee Florido, UNESCO Philippine Youth Delegate to the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum

Sweden, Youth Representative to the Swedish UNESCO National Commission
The Swedish Youth Representative to UNESCO is formally appointed by the Ministry of Education. LSU – the National Council of Children and Youth Organisations – initially nominates two candidates, from whom one is selected for the role.
The representative serves as a link between the Swedish Children and Youth movement, the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO-related processes at national, nordic and international level. The role brings youth perspectives into discussions across UNESCO’s fields of education, science, culture, communication and information.
The representative engages in dialogue with children and youth organisations, contributes to meetings and policy discussions with the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO, and participates in international exchanges and UNESCO forums. The work focuses on meaningful youth participation and on creating stronger pathways for diverse young people’s experiences and ideas to inform decisions.

Written by Brendan R. Joseph, Youth Representative to the Swedish UNESCO National Commission