UN youth representative for sustainable development
During the UIT Week in Utrecht, where new students get acquainted with the city, Martijn Visser shares why he is committed to sustainable development. The 25-year-old Martijn represents Dutch youth at the United Nations.
National Youth Council
Together with colleagues from the National Youth Council, Martijn works to raise awareness among young people about the importance of sustainable development. They provide guest lectures at secondary schools and engage with youth organizations, encouraging them to take more action on sustainability. They also act as a bridge to policymakers and politicians, including Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
From Preparatory vocational secondary education to universityt
Last June, Martijn and a colleague cycled on a tandem from Nijmegen to The Hague. During their week-long journey, they spoke with hundreds of young people. These youth were from various schools, ranging from first-year Preparatory vocational secondary education students to university attendees and everything in between. By asking questions like “What does sustainability mean to you?”, “How do you envision the future?”, and “What kind of future do you want?”, they engaged in meaningful conversations and gained insight into the thoughts and concerns of the younger generation.
Sustainable development goals
Martijn is dedicated to contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to be achieved by 2030. Martijn shares, “A world without hunger, where climate action is truly addressed, and where every child can go to school—that’s my dream, and I want to help make it a reality.”
Questions are welcome
Martijn recalls an example of a young girl who emailed him for help. She wanted to start a sustainable fashion initiative at her school, but her teacher wasn’t supportive. She reached out to Martijn and the National Youth Council for assistance. “As a result, we sat down with her and developed a project,” Martijn explains. “We organized an entire day involving all the students at her school.”
Vacancy for UN Youth Representative
Martijn’s two years as a UN Youth Representative are nearly over, and the vacancy for a new youth representative is now online. Are you between 16 and 26 years old and passionate about contributing to sustainable development? Check out this link for more information. As for what Martijn will do next, he’s not sure yet, but it will certainly involve sustainability.
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