GYEL Male • United States of America

For more than seven decades, the United Nations (UN) has spearheaded global initiatives to address some of the world's most pressing issues and pave the way for a more promising future. As the organization reflects on its extensive history, it celebrates its achievements. It encourages global citizens to partake in shaping a future marked by collective action and transformative development.


The UN was established in 1945, right after World War II, to prevent future conflicts and foster international cooperation. It started with 51 member countries committed to preserving global peace, enhancing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress along with improved living standards and human rights.


Since its foundation, the UN has consistently worked to mitigate conflicts, assist in recovery efforts post-conflict, and champion the universal values of dignity, equality, and justice. As global challenges have evolved, so too has the UN's role, which now addresses issues ranging from environmental sustainability to poverty reduction and from promoting gender equality to tackling climate change.


A key focus of the UN's efforts is empowering young leaders through initiatives like the GYEL. This program is a collaborative platform that includes a variety of stakeholders, such as intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and groups associated with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). GYEL aims to prepare young individuals to become leaders who are well-equipped to deal with the complexities of our global society. Over the past decade, the initiative has fostered leadership qualities and excellence through strategic and socially impactful initiatives.


The UN is deeply committed to ensuring that young individuals are recipients of change and key actors in driving it. By integrating youth in various domains such as health, education, environmental conservation, human rights, and technological innovation, the UN sets the stage for a future where young leaders are at the forefront of crafting a just, sustainable, and prosperous global society.


In its pursuit of a better world, the UN relies on an extensive network of specialized agencies, programs, and funds that tackle a wide range of global issues. This network thrives on strong partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, and especially with young people, who are crucial to the long-term success of these efforts. These collaborations are essential for pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise to address complex global challenges.


The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all 193 member states in 2015, serve as a comprehensive action plan to meet global challenges by 2030. These 17 goals call to action to end poverty, ensure education for all, achieve gender equality, and promote sustainable economic growth, among other aims. They emphasize the interconnectedness of social, financial, and environmental well-being and are designed to ensure that no one is left behind.


Through these initiatives, the UN continues fostering international collaboration and driving efforts towards a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world, reinforcing its role as a global cooperation and humanitarianism pillar.