CSD: Day 2

It’s only the second day at CSD-18 and I’m already feeling the impact of a twelve-hour work day—two caramel macchiatos too many, chocolate (more caffeine), lunch in the Delegate’s Dining Hall (if I’m lucky), and not much else. While at times I feel my lack of sleep catching up to me, the buzz in the North Lawn Building is still audible and my excitement about the potential impact this review year could have on the creation of policy at CSD-19 makes me forget quite how early I woke up this morning.

With a proper pass in hand, I was extremely excited to get back into a plenary session, especially since yesterday’s opening session was a mixed bag of substantial vs. empty statements. Furthermore, in helping to prepare the official statement for the Cross-Regional Perspectives plenary, I was passionate about what we had created, and was there to root on our Youth Caucus representative. After this session, I felt as though I had a much better understanding of how the UN as a body functions, including procedures, etiquette and purpose. I was inspired that most countries found this plenary important enough to attend. Moreover, they truly bought into the idea that they were present to participate in knowledge-transfer, to celebrate successes while identifying gaps, inequalities and areas that need attention. I was particularly impressed that countries did not point fingers and get side-tracked by blaming each other for failing to meet commitments. Instead, delegates spoke about their experiences and led by example. Brazil’s work in Mozambique and Ghana was particularly impressive, where they have collaborated to find solutions to problems of food security, lack of medications, and HIV/AIDS.

What surprised me the most about today was the interest of both American representatives, from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of International and Tribal Affairs, in Canada’s reconciliation with its Aboriginal population. Their interest for the social well being of this vulnerable group as well as protecting the partnership between indigenous peoples and the Crown, was echoed by many others at the Side Event hosted by the Canadian Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, thus showing the strong link between sustainable development and cross-cutting social issues such as poverty eradication, gender equality and education.

While today was a great learning experience, I was disappointed to learn that one of our members had been positively received by the Women’s Major Group and asked to help draft a statement, and then disempowered by a single woman, who did not believe that youth could be a voice for women as well. Nevertheless I would encourage the youth caucus members to continue to connect with other Major Groups, because we are not “just” youth; we are women, NGOs, indigenous people, workers. Some of us are even members of the scientific & technological community, business & industry, farmers, and have worked closely with local authorities. Furthermore, let us be embracing of other Major Groups who wish to collaborate with us, because our position is strengthened when united—and everyone’s been young once, right?

Today I also realized how valuable informal settings, such as Side Events and Learning Centres, could be for introducing a youth perspective on SD issues, especially through Q & A sessions. What’s more, all of these informal spaces give us opportunities to meet other delegates, whether they are presenters or participants. Although my fingers are still crossed that the need for secondary badges will be eliminated, as I meet more interesting individuals in corridors and café lines, I’m becoming slightly less hung up on those talk-of-the-town passes.

- Natalie Lum-Tai