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UCC student announced as United Nations Youth Delegate
- Ireland鈥檚 UN Youth Delegates announced by An T谩naiste Miche谩l Martin.
- Alicia Joy O鈥橲ullivan selected as Ireland鈥檚 United Nations Youth Delegate.
- Alicia will work closely with Ireland鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the UN and will have the opportunity to represent the youth of Ireland.
The T谩naiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, Miche谩l Martin TD has formally announced Alicia Joy O鈥橲ullivan as a United Nations Youth Delegate.
Alicia is a UCC law student, advocate and Quercus Scholar from Skibbereen, West Cork. She was the UCC Students鈥� Union Environmental and Sustainability Officer in 20/21 and was part of UCC鈥檚 delegation to the global climate summit COP26 in Glasgow.
As UN Youth Delegate, Alicia will work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Ireland鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Irish Aid, and the National Youth Council of Ireland throughout her year in office.
She will have the opportunity to engage with young people across Ireland about foreign policy issues and to represent the young people of Ireland at UN events, including this month at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week and the UNGA鈥檚 Third Committee, which focuses on human rights issues.
Alicia will join Mohammed Naeem as UN Youth Delegates for 2023-2024.
An T谩naiste said: 鈥淚 am delighted to announce Ireland鈥檚 UN Youth Delegates for 2023-2024.鈥�
鈥淭he UN Youth Delegate Programme is an avenue for young people to become more involved in international cooperation while championing change and representing the voices of the millions of young people in Ireland. The programme offers a wonderful opportunity to build their networks, engage with other UN Youth delegates, and advocate on matters that concern young people globally through UN meetings and events."
鈥淚t is essential that young people are equipped to be effective global citizens, contributing to policy and decision making at local, national, and international levels. This is what we achieve through the Programme.鈥�
鈥淚t is my pleasure to support the UN Youth Delegate Programme in its ninth year and I look forward to engaging with Alicia and Mohammad in the future."
Alicia Joy O鈥橲ullivan said: 鈥淚t is a great honour to be appointed as one of two of Ireland鈥檚 UN Youth Delegates. It is especially exciting to be doing this whilst also completing my final year of my Bachelor of Law with UCC. I envision my year working at the UN will benefit my studies and vice versa with my law degree assisting in my lobbying and diplomatic efforts. I鈥檓 looking forward to this role to represent the best interests of my peers from Skibbereen, UCC and the whole island of Ireland.鈥�
UCC President Professor John O鈥橦alloran said: 鈥淚t is a pleasure to congratulate Alicia on her selection as Ireland鈥檚 UN Youth Delegate. It is critical that young voices are heard as part of international policy discussions that affect current and future generations. I wish Alicia continued success in her work to bring about policy change and impact decision-making in key areas including climate action, human rights and sustainable development through her advocacy and engagement.鈥�