On their return from the ECOSOC Youth Forum, we spoke to our Ambassadors, Swara Patel, Alex Flores, and Marcia Bikié, to find out about their experiences at the conference.
What is the ECOSOC Youth Forum?
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum provides young leaders with a platform to share their innovative solutions to global issues with decision-makers from governments and UN entities, helping to shape policies that reflect the global youth perspective.
Achieving the SDGs requires intersectional thinking
“I had the privilege of attending the ECOSOC Youth Forum to advocate for good health and well-being, as well as gender equality.” Swara Patel is the founder and president of The Period Society, one of the largest youth-run organisations in the sexual and reproductive health space in India. Through peer-led health education workshops, Swara combats menstrual taboo and period poverty.
“Whilst at the ECOSOC Youth Forum, I attended plenary sessions in the UN Trusteeship Council, where I heard from youth delegates, nonprofits, and member state representatives about their initiatives. I also attended side events led by experts, especially young people, who are using AI to power social good.”
Reflecting on how her time at the ECOSOC Youth Forum will impact her work going forward, Swara says, “learning about projects driving the SDGs forward globally reinforced how truly interconnected they all are. I would love to reevaluate our approach to intersectionality at the Period Society as we enter a phase where we extend our work beyond menstruation to look at other gaps in sexual and reproductive health that exist in India. I want to be more intentional as I design programmes and set our goals to reflect this understanding of intersectionality by thinking about how our mission to promote health equity and gendered gaps in healthcare can intersect with the other SDGs.”
Young leaders learning from young leaders
With representation from over 80 countries, the ECOSOC Youth Forum offers young leaders a unique opportunity to work with policymakers to initiate action on some of the world's greatest challenges, whilst learning from their peers.
“I connected with young leaders from around the world who were willing to share their experiences,” explains Alex Flores, president of Fuerza Del Presente. “I went to the ECOSOC Youth Forum to represent and raise my voice for rural communities in Latin America, and speaking with other young leaders from around the world allowed me to bring awareness to the challenges and cultural differences we face, which led to ideas that will improve the lives of rural youths.”
Alex is passionate about creating opportunities for rural communities in Latin America, specifically for young people. In his role as President of Fuerza Del Presente, he runs programmes, such as cultural and knowledge exchanges and social laboratories for young professionals, to help them strengthen their skills and build a thriving economy. “The youth are our future, and if we provide opportunities that promote growth and development, we will have a society that will strive to improve its socioeconomic status,” says Alex.
Grounding leadership in the communities you’re impacting
Events, such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, allow young leaders to exchange ideas with policymakers, building effective change and a path towards achieving the SDGs.
“One of my biggest realisations whilst at the ECOSOC Youth Forum was that we, as young leaders, sometimes operate within a bubble of changemaking,” Marcia noted. “Surrounded by other passionate peers, it’s easy to lose touch with the broader reality. That’s why it’s crucial to stay grounded, remain connected to the communities we serve, and recognise the responsibility that comes with the privilege of being in these spaces.”
Marcia is a youth and gender advocate and co-founder of GEMA, a pioneering organisation empowering and amplifying the voices of young Afro women in Spain. “Despite Spain’s rich diversity, inclusion remains a challenge, especially for young African and Afro-descendant women who are often rendered invisible in mainstream narratives and decision-making spaces,” Marcia explains. “Through GEMA, I aim to bridge that gap by creating opportunities, fostering ambition, and inspiring a new generation of leaders to take up space and drive meaningful change.”
The lasting impact of the ECOSOC Youth Forum
The ECOSOC Youth Forum is a three-day event, but what will be the lasting impact of the discussions and connections made in that time?
“Through young leaders attending the ECOSOC Youth Forum, the leaders present are now aware of the struggles that youths experience in their areas, which will bring about discussions and innovative solutions to improve the lives of young people,” Alex comments.
“It is critical that we have the tools and resources to enact change, beginning by participating in local, regional, and global decision-making,” Swara says. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a lot of these complex issues, which require local and regional perspectives, making it critical for young people from around the world to be present at events such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, to represent a range of identities, nationalities, and communities and ensure that policies serve those they are shaped for.”
Marcia concludes, “spaces like the ECOSOC Youth Forum are where change begins, through the synergies, partnerships, and alliances that are built. These connections not only motivate us but also reinforce our commitment and sense of purpose, not just to demand a seat at the table, but to build our own tables and shape a system of youth decision-making grounded in equity, inclusion, and integrity.”
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