A Visit to the Heart of Multilateralism
Today, GYDCA accompanied members of ISAP1 on a visit to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. ISAP1 is the international students’ association of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. For these students from all over the world, it was a chance to get an inside look at one of the flagship institutions of the United Nations system, which works across education, science, culture and communication.
Our Goal: Making Engagement Concrete
With this visit, we wanted to go beyond simple discovery. Our goal was to turn the idea of youth engagement into something concrete and to show international students at Panthéon-Sorbonne, in a tangible way, how they can take part in diplomacy.
Diplomacy is too often seen as a distant world reserved for experts and institutions. We wanted to show that it is also a space where young people can act, propose ideas and make their voices heard.
Meeting the SDG4Youth Network
To achieve this, we spent time with the SDG4Youth & Student Network. This UNESCO-based network brings together young people and students committed to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.
Thanks to Bruno Tavares talk, the students learned how the network works, what its missions are and which events it takes part in. His experience put a face on what youth engagement within an international organization really looks like day to day.
The Role of Young People in Diplomacy
At the heart of the discussion was a key question: what role can young people play in diplomacy? The students gained a better understanding of:
the place young people already hold in international discussions, particularly on education
concrete ways to get involved: joining youth networks, taking part in consultations and events, or leading local projects linked to global goals
the value of their perspective: as international students, they bring diverse viewpoints that help build solutions suited to each country’s realities
The message was clear: diplomacy is not just for experts. Young people have a legitimate role to play in the decisions that shape their future.
Looking Ahead to 2030
Bruno Tavares also presented the network’s goals for 2030, the deadline of the Sustainable Development Agenda. These ambitions highlight the urgency to act: time is short and much remains to be done. Mobilizing younger generations will be key to reaching these goals.
Stronger Ties Between Partners
This visit also strengthened the ties between GYDCA, ISAP1 and the SDG4Youth network. It lays the groundwork for future collaborations: we want to keep this momentum going and offer more projects together in the months ahead, to keep bringing young people closer to the world of diplomacy.
Thank You!
We warmly thank ISAP1 for their trust, and Bruno Tavares from the SDG4Youth network for their time and such an insightful exchange. See you soon for new projects!
