IRSAM Inc. - The International Relations Students' Association of McGill

🗣 Call for Endorsements! 🗣 Hello, LinkedIn! The McGill Youth Advisory Delegation (MYAD), a youth-led NGO with special consultative status with UN ECOSOC, is thrilled to announce that we have completed our written statements for the 63rd Commission for Social Development (CSocD) and the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). https://lnkd.in/etED7RhT As an organisation striving to ensure that young voices are heard in policy-making, reflecting the diverse perspectives and unique concerns of our generation, we welcome other ECOSOC-accredited NGOs to weigh in and endorse our statements. We believe that, as members of civil society, we can amplify our impact by standing in solidarity with one another. Check out our statement in the form above, and if they resonate with your mission, we would be honored to have your endorsement. Please also share amongst your network, your support can make a real difference! 📅 Deadlines: CSW: October 10 CSocD: November 7 👉 Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to connect at external@irsam.ca! #YouthRepresentation #Endorsements #CSW69 #CSocD63 #YouthVoicesMatter #PolicyMaking #UnitedNations #ECOSOC #CivilSociety

On May 3rd, 2024, our MYAD Local Communications Officer and Head Delegate Purva Vyas presented an oral statement at the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development. 🇺🇳 She spoke on the failure of the CPD to pass 5 of the last 10 resolutions due to the contentious issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights. She argued to push for SRHR conversations where youth are meaningfully involved, and calls upon the CPD to address the continuous struggles that vulnerable populations face. She says, “It is ignorant to discuss the value of sexual and reproductive health and rights without speaking of the 690 000 menstruating women and adolescent girls in Gaza, who face limited access to menstrual hygiene supplies” Purva emphasized MYADs stance on pushing member states to remember the commitments made during the ICPD to actively work towards a future in which vulnerable populations live safe protective lived with adequate access to healthcare, education, and other rights as mandated in the program of action. We are so incredibly proud of Purva for her outstanding leadership in representing McGill Youth Advisory Delegation, IRSAM Inc. - The International Relations Students' Association of McGill, and McGill University students at the United Nations! 💙

Exciting news! We are hiring our officers for our next youth delegation to the United Nations. The applications and information regarding the roles can be accessed in the bio on our Instagram (@mcgillyad). Don't hesitate to contact Bela Sullivan (external@irsam.ca) if you have any questions. We are looking forward to seeing your application by May 25th!

🌟 Highlighting MYAD's Side Event at CSocD62: Youth-Driven Tech for Social Good 📱 As part of our ongoing spring series, we're excited to share insights from MYAD's dynamic side event hosted at the 62nd session of the UN Commission for Social Development. Held on February 6th, at 3pm in UNHQ Conference Room A, the event, titled "Youth-Driven Tech for Social Good: Young Entrepreneurs and Activists Using Technology to Address Social Issues in Education," promised an afternoon of insightful conversations, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Our esteemed panelists brought diverse expertise to the table: 1. Zeve Sanderson, the founding Executive Director of NYU's Center for Social Media and Politics, shared insights from his research using computational and experimental methods to measure the spread and impact of online information. 2. Keith Baybayon, an advocate at the intersection of youth empowerment, public policy, and digital rights, discussed his efforts to champion digital rights for children and youth, including his role as the youngest member of Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner’s Strategic Advisory Council. 3. J Haro, an American tech entrepreneur, fashion designer, and cybersecurity researcher, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the realm of international cybersecurity and risk policy. 4. Nicole Cojuangco, a passionate educator, spoke about leveraging game design as a means for promoting social justice within the classroom, sharing compelling examples of how technology can empower and engage young learners. 5. Jagar Bhan, a student advocate, the panel delved into crucial topics surrounding youth empowerment, digital literacy, and the ethical use of technology in education. During the event, thought-provoking discussions took place: Zeve shed light on the challenges hindering the free flow of information and the impact of misinformation on youth, emphasizing the need for measures to mitigate its negative consequences. Zino explored the unique vulnerabilities youth face in the online space, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness and fostering a culture of online safety. Keith discussed the implications of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) on education, stressing the importance of empowering and educating youth to use AI ethically while safeguarding privacy. Nicole shared her experiences incorporating social justice themes into game design curriculum, illustrating how technology can be a powerful tool for promoting inclusivity and engagement in education. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where panelists addressed pressing questions on tech inclusion, policy considerations, and the future of technology in education. Stay tuned as we continue to share more about our efforts to harness the power of technology for social good in our spring series! #CSocD62 #YouthEmpowerment #Tech #SDGs #SocialJustice #SpringSeries

🌍 Spotlight on Youth Inclusion in the Digital Age: Insights from MYAD's Oral Statement at the UN Commission for Social Development 🌎 In our ongoing spring series, we're excited to shine a light on the recent participation of MYAD at the 62nd session of the UN Commission for Social Development. MYAD president, Esme Longley, delivered a powerful oral statement highlighting the critical importance of youth inclusion in a digital age. At the heart of the address was the urgent call for collaboration to address inequalities in digital access, combat mis- and disinformation, and ensure equitable access to the UN system, especially for youth facing socio-economic constraints. MYAD's three key recommendations to member states are as following: 1. Implement comprehensive digital education and vocational training, coupled with the equitable distribution of technology at all levels of education. 2. Address the dangers of digital misinformation and advocate for media literacy education to foster critical thinking within the digital age. 3. Tackle the disproportionate barriers faced by youth, particularly those in the global south, unrecognized territories, and conflict zones, by creating an environment where every young person can meaningfully contribute to global conversations. We emphasise that the opportunities presented by the digital age extend far beyond technological advancements. They must also serve to uplift and actively involve marginalized youth, thereby fostering a more inclusive and just global future. You can watch the full video of MYAD's oral statement at 02:05:00 in the following link: https://lnkd.in/eeAybJje Stay tuned as we continue to share more about our efforts to advocate for youth empowerment and social justice in the digital age! #YouthInclusion #DigitalAge #CSocD62 #SocialDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #SocialJustice #SpringSeries

🌍 Reflecting on Our Spring Initiatives: Insights from the UN's Commission on Social Development 62 🌎 As we embark on our spring series to showcase the impactful work of the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation, we're thrilled to kick things off by sharing insights from our recent participation in the United Nation's 62nd Session of the Commission on Social Development (CSocD62). The team comprised of head delegates, Esme Longley, Judy Zeng, and Keith Baybayon as well as delegates, Malak Afifi, Jeanne Gonelle, Jessica Bakar, Lawrence Plastina, Claire Cheng, Nicole Kastanias, and Anirudh Ram-Mohanram. In February, members of MYAD had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in this pivotal event. The broad commission theme, "Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication", provided a wide lens to advocate for youth inclusion in high-level forums. Our delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with offices of numerous permanent mission representatives, including those from Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, the Philippines, Portugal, Hungary, and Chile. Particularly, we were impressed by meetings we had with other youth delegates, like Lew Töpfer and Ilka Essig. It was encouraging to see a cross-cutting approach to youth in policy instead of the usual siloes of youth participation being relegated to certain areas or stages of the policy process. Throughout our meetings, we proudly presented the policies we've been diligently crafting over the past few months. Our focus ranged from empowering youth to combat mis- and disinformation to calling for vaccine equity to address current and future health crises. The exchange of ideas and insights with representatives from around the world was truly inspiring, and we're eager to see how our collaboration will enhance our collective efforts. This experience at the UN's Commission on Social Development exemplifies our commitment to driving positive change on both local and global scales. As we continue with our spring series, we're excited to delve deeper into the initiatives that embody our dedication to youth empowerment, education, and social development. Stay tuned as we share more about CSocD62 this spring! 🌷 #UN #YouthNGO #YouthEmpowerment #SocialDevelopment #Education #TechnologyForGood #McGillUniversity #IRSAMInc #GlobalImpact #SpringInitiatives

🌱 Exciting Updates Incoming! 🌷 Dear LinkedIn Community, As spring blossoms around us, we're thrilled to share a sneak peek into what our team has been up to! At MYAD, we've had a busy year so far, advocating for youth-centres policies at the United Nations. Over the coming weeks, we're excited to roll out a series of posts showcasing the impactful work and initiatives we've undertaken this spring. From sharing highlights at the Commissions we attended (CSocD62 and CSW68) to recaps of our events we've hosted at home, every project reflects our strong dedication to empowering youth to engage with policy at the high-level. We invite you to join us on this journey as we share stories, insights, and achievements that inspire and empower. Let's celebrate the spirit of spring and the transformative power of collective action! Keep an eye on our page for updates, and don't forget to like, share, and engage with our posts to spread the message far and wide! 🇺🇳 Warm regards, Esme Longley, President of the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation #NGO #SocialImpact #Youth #YouthinPolicy #SpringInitiatives #YouthEmpowerment #Sustainability #Collaboration #Advocacy #Innovation #TechnologyForGood #UnitedNations #CSocD62 #CSW68

The McGill Youth Advisory Delegation's Delegation to the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development have been lucky enough to meet with advisors and experts from the missions of Kenya, Malta, Slovenia, and Poland in preparations for their work next week! Our 10 delegates, Esme Longley, Keith Baybayon, Judy Zeng, Jeanne Gonelle, Jessica Bakar, Malak Afifi, Lawrence Plastina, Nicole Kastanias, Claire Cheng, and Anirudh Ram-Mohanram will head to the United Nations HQ on Sunday to advocate for youth inclusion on the specific areas they have researched. Stay tuned to hear about our policies, which range from digital misinformation to climate adaptation strategies for persons with disabilities, our side event on youth digital entrepreneurship, and our oral statement that will be delivered on Monday, 12th January. #CSocD62 #SocialDevelopment #SocialJustice #DigitalTransformation #EndPoverty #GlobalGoals #EveryoneIncluded

We are thrilled to announce that we are preparing to submit our third written statement this year, this time for the 57th UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD57). As a result, we are seeking endorsements. If you are part of an ECOSOC-accredited NGO or a representative of a UN Permanent Mission, we kindly invite you to read our statement. If you resonate with our vision, we would be honored to have your endorsement. Feel free to reach out via direct message or email us at uncomms@irsam.ca to formalize your endorsement. However, if you are not ECOSOC-accredited, there are still numerous ways you can support our mission: 1. Share our statement on your social media platforms and within your professional network. Every share counts! 2. Reach out to us for potential collaboration on future projects, research, or initiatives. 3. Encourage your peers, colleagues, and friends to support our cause and join the conversation. We are looking forward to your support, and our upcoming initiatives at CPD57! #myad #unitednations #CPD57 #populationdevelopment #ngo #internationaldevelopment #youthempowerment Version Français: Nous sommes ravis de vous annoncer que nous nous préparons à soumettre notre troisième déclaration écrite cette année, cette fois-ci pour la 57e Commission des Nations Unies sur la population et le développement (CPD57). En conséquence, nous recherchons des soutiens. Si vous faites partie d'une ONG accréditée par l'ECOSOC ou si vous êtes un représentant d'une mission permanente auprès des Nations Unies, nous vous invitons cordialement à lire notre déclaration. Si notre vision résonne avec vous, nous serions honorés d'obtenir votre soutien. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter via un message direct ou à nous envoyer un courriel à uncomms@irsam.ca pour officialiser votre soutien. Cependant, si vous n'êtes pas accrédité par l'ECOSOC, il existe encore de nombreuses façons de soutenir notre mission : 1. Partagez notre déclaration sur vos plateformes de médias sociaux et au sein de votre réseau professionnel. Chaque partage compte ! 2. Contactez-nous pour envisager une collaboration potentielle sur des projets, des recherches ou des initiatives futures. 3. Encouragez vos pairs, collègues et amis à soutenir notre cause et à participer à la conversation. Nous sommes impatients de recevoir votre soutien et de vous présenter nos prochaines initiatives à la CPD57 ! #myad #nationsunies #CPD57 #développementdémographique #ong #développementinternational #autonomisationdesjeunes