The event served as a platform for young advocates to demand a transition from symbolic representation to co-designed policy, emphasizing their role as essential stakeholders in addressing climate change, disability rights, and sustainable development.
Thailand and the Pact for the Future
Adopted by UN Member States in September 2024, the Pact for the Future acts as a global blueprint intended to address systemic challenges while protecting the interests of generations yet to be born. According to Michaela Friberg-Storey, the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, the success of this pact relies on "strong partnerships across society, driven by the energy, creativity and leadership of young people."
The dialogue highlighted a critical distinction: while future generations cannot advocate for themselves, today’s youth possess the agency to influence current decision-making processes. Themba Kalua, Director for Pact for the Future Implementation in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, emphasized that youth voices and leadership must be integrated into the policies currently shaping their societies.
Strengthening Youth Participation Mechanisms
Rattanachart Paengkum, Assistant President of the Children and Youth Council of Thailand, argued that the country already possesses one of Southeast Asia’s most robust youth participation frameworks. However, he noted that the current challenge lies in moving beyond "built in silence" participation and making existing mechanisms genuinely effective.
Other advocates highlighted that meaningful engagement requires more than just a seat at the table. Soonyata Panurat, who represented Thailand at the ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York, stated that policies should be co-designed with young people rather than presented as final decisions.
Barriers to Inclusive Advocacy
The dialogue addressed specific hurdles faced by marginalized youth, including indigenous communities and those living with disabilities. Marisa Yapangku, President of the Indigenous Youth Seed Network of Thailand, pointed out that representation often fails when it is not translated into tangible action at the local level. She noted that decision-makers frequently overlook solutions from indigenous youth because they are unfamiliar with the realities of their communities.
She credited AI and assistive technology with transforming her access to education but warned that institutional policies must evolve at the same speed as these technological advancements to ensure equal opportunity.
Sustainability of Youth Engagement
Nattanicha Kattiyavara, founder of The Burnout Advocate Initiative and a youth advisor to the UN Youth Office, raised the issue of mental health within advocacy circles. She observed that young activists are often expected to demonstrate endless resilience, which can lead to exhaustion. According to Kattiyavara, building sustainable social change requires creating systems that prioritize the wellbeing of the advocates themselves.
Chairat Dipho, who has represented ethnic minority youth at international forums including COP30, concluded that resources—defined as knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities—are essential for young people to move from local action to the global stage. He maintained that when youth are recognized as equal partners rather than just future leaders, they become effective catalysts for immediate change.
Worth a look