Elian Yahye new UN youth representative
Elian Yahye was chosen on 26 October as the youth representative for the United Nations. Yahye is a bachelor's student of International Relations and Organisations at Leiden University.
Yahye, who is 18, will represent young Dutch people at the General Assembly of the United Nations for a period of two years. He will also give guest lectures and workshops throughout the Netherlands to gather the opinions of the young people he is representinig. He will then discuss these inputs with policymakers so that they are aware of the opinions of the younger members of society.
Minority groups
Yahye particularly wants to promote the interests of minority groups during his term office. 'I want to focus on cultural and ethnic groups who are often under severe pressure in many societies,' he comments on the website of the youth representatives. ‘I'll be taking a very positive approach: I want to show these people's strength and resilience and make everyone aware of just how wonderful their customs and traditions are. Specifically because they are "different" and outside the norms, they are essential for a dynamic and diverse society.'