Top 15 Quotes From YAUN | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Top 15 Quotes From YAUN

Highlights of the youth assembly at the United Nations Winter Session.

Sadaf Ayaz
Feb 22, 2016
Hunter College
35
Top 15 Quotes From YAUN
Youth Assembly at UN

*All photo credits go to the Youth Assembly at the UN (@youthassembly).

I was very lucky to have attended the Winter Session of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations. This winter, after the passing of the Sustainable Development Goals in September of last year, this Youth Assembly was focused on discussing the important role of youth in the implementation of them.

Along with being surrounded by empowered youth, I was fortunate to have listened to inspirational speakers. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the speeches and discussions:

1. "Don't only make noise. Make a symphony of change." --Yin-Chu Jou


2. "Young women and men are just not the future. You are here now!" --Lakshmi Puri

3. "Start with what you have... Start with what fires you up or makes you angry." --Monique Coleman


4."Demand your right at the table!" --Donya Nasser


5. "Your mind is a dynamic master builder. It creates reality." --Claes Nobel

6. "The naked truth is, we humans must change now or we'll perish." --Claes Nobel

7. "We'll fight you for you and you should fight for yourself." --Aashka Merchant (AmnestyInternational)

8. "The real goal of a nonprofit should be to shut down operations one day. You've solved the problem. " --Derrius Quarles

9. On running nonprofits: "Just as important as your business plan is your succession plan and your exit strategy." --Jess Atkins Teutonico

10. "Youth may not have a voice in the vote, but it can certainly be influential behind the vote." --Hayley Gocha

11. "We need to focus on engaging the next generation. Gender equality isn't going to happen overnight." --Jason Tan de Bibiana

12. "Young people are not only the beneficiaries but also the drivers of change." --Oh Joon (UN ECOSOC President)

13. "You cannot expect men to be part of the process unless we make sure they are empowered to be their whole selves." --Mohammed Naeem

14."The connections you have and the experiences you draw equip you to tell stories." --Asher Jay

15. "Remain alert. You'll discover that life is constantly presenting you with situations where you can make a difference." --Cheri Kaufman


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

344987
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
681100
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
596546
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
579442
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
863116
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments