We should engage with and listen to young people’s voices, and welcome the positive impact that young people can have in decision-making processes, according to Australian Youth Representative to the UN and Macquarie alumni Angelica Ojinnaka. She spoke recently at the Global Leadership Program’s Foreign Affairs Speaker series. 

Ms Ojinnaka graduated from Macquarie University, where she was a member of the GLP, with a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) in 2020. She was the 2022 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, where she led nationwide consultation with young people, politicians and leaders across the country. She also served as the Australian Youth Delegate at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where she observed the landscape of domestic and international youth affairs. 

During her presentation to members of the GLP, Ms Ojinnaka discussed positive developments in areas such as climate change, education, and global peace and security, while also highlighting young people’s concerns about issues such as environmental degradation, educational disparities and security challenges. She also addressed young people’s feelings on political and media representation, access to services, discrimination and life satisfaction. 

Ms Ojinnaka also emphasised the importance of enquiry to understand the status quo and the areas needing systemic change to renew hope for what could be for youth living in this country. She stressed the need for non-tokenistic and transformative action on advancing human rights, embedding the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda meaningfully, and retaining hope for the future. 

“When you let young people talk about not just ‘neat’ issues, it really makes an impact,” she said, stressing the importance of engaging young people in decision-making processes and giving them a platform to voice their opinions and concerns.  

“It is also different hearing different perspectives from my two different identities,” she added, reflecting on her identity as both Australian and Nigerian. 

To learn more about Angelica Ojinnaka and her advocacy work, visit the Macquarie Matters page.