Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs at the United Nations Youth Office, participated in the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event, hosted by the European Commission in Brussels from 9-10 October, 2024. Organized by EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, the conference brought together global leaders, youth activists, and key stakeholders to highlight the transformative potential of the EU’s Youth Agenda and forge new partnerships aimed at empowering young people worldwide.
Significance of the First Global Gateway Youth Event
This inaugural Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event marked a significant milestone in the EU’s commitment to youth development and international cooperation. With more than half of the world’s population under the age of 30 — nearly 90% of whom live in less developed partner countries — the event underscored the critical role young people play in shaping global economic and political futures. By 2030, one-fifth of the world’s population will be African, with over 45% of the continent’s population under 20. This demographic shift highlights the urgent need to invest in youth education, health, and participation to build stable and prosperous societies.
The event also coincided with the second anniversary of the EU Youth Action Plan (YAP), the Commission’s strategy for advancing youth participation in decision-making by engaging, empowering, and connecting young leaders. It reinforced the idea that youth engagement is not just an investment in the future but an essential element of present-day governance.
Felipe Paullier’s Leadership and Vision
Felipe Paullier, appointed as the first Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs in 2023, has been a leading advocate for meaningful youth participation within the United Nations and beyond. He succeeded Jayathma Wickramanayake, who served as the Envoy on Youth since June 2017. The United Nations Youth Office promotes the inclusion of young people and youth-led organizations in global decision-making processes. During the event, Paullier stressed that youth are not only future leaders—they are already active agents of change, especially in marginalized communities worldwide.
In his keynote address, Paullier highlighted the importance of institutionalizing youth participation and emphasized the crucial partnership between the United Nations and the European Union in achieving this goal. He noted that while more than half of the global population is under 30, this demographic remains underrepresented in decision-making processes. “Young people are not the future, they are the present. And they are needed now,” Paullier stated, calling for the integration of youth voices in shaping policies that impact both current and future generations.
Key Takeaways from the Event
The event featured a series of sessions focused on empowering youth and addressing the challenges young people face globally. European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen praised the EU’s Youth Sounding Boards as a successful global initiative that amplifies the voices of youth in EU institutions. Urpilainen firmly expressed her belief that, “If young people were more empowered, we would have less war and conflict.”
Other sessions explored the role of the private sector in supporting youth initiatives, the importance of intergenerational co-leadership, and the critical need for ongoing investment in youth as a form of sustainable development. Participants also discussed the intersection of youth and human rights, with activists from countries like Sudan, Venezuela, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan sharing their experiences on the frontlines of social movements.
The Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event demonstrated the vital role youth play in shaping both the present and future of global development. By bringing together young leaders and decision-makers, the event reinforced the notion that empowering, engaging, and connecting youth is not only a response to their rightful demands but also a strategic investment in creating a more just and sustainable world.
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