On 15 August 2025, UNU will host “Harnessing the Impact of Youth Participation in Policymaking and Decision-making”, a BIG IDEAS Dialogue with Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. This hybrid event (online and in-person) will start at 18:00 on Zoom and in the 1F Annex Space at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
Youth engagement in political processes and decision-making is a critical component of building inclusive, sustainable and resilient societies. By bringing unique perspectives and innovative approaches to the table, young people have repeatedly proven to be key in securing the breakthroughs that our world urgently needs. However, despite the emergence of an increasing patchwork of youth engagement mechanisms in recent years (ranging from youth councils to youth advisory boards to youth parliaments), a significant majority of young people around the world continue to struggle to exert any real influence over decision-making. Too often, youth engagement models are viewed as ineffective and tokenistic, leaving young people feeling increasingly disconnected from policy and decision-making processes.
With over 1.9 billion young people alive today, it is essential to understand the diverse experiences and perspectives of youth across different contexts to harness the full potential of their participation. This involves recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities they face and the factors that shape their attitudes towards political processes and power structures.
Dr. Felipe Paullier will join UNU Senior Vice-Rector Prof. Sawako Shirahase to discuss the recent establishment of the United Nations Youth Office, explore how youth participation in political processes can drive positive change, and unpack youth perspectives and attitudes towards these processes and contemporary power structures. The discussion will identify opportunities to overcome barriers to youth participation in decision-making, which will ultimately contribute to strengthening the UN's efforts to support and facilitate young people as agents of change.
Registration
Please note this event will be in English; Japanese interpretation will not be provided. Advance registration (by 14 August at 15:00) is required.
To attend this event in person at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, register at: https://go.unu.edu/OUciA
To attend this event online via Zoom webinar, register at: https://go.unu.edu/dna7r
For the in-person event, please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
About the speaker
Dr. Felipe Paullier of Uruguay assumed his mandate as the first-ever Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs in December 2023 at the age of 32. He is the youngest senior appointment in the history of the United Nations, and the youngest serving member of the Secretary-General’s senior management group.
As head of the United Nations Youth Office, Mr. Paullier leads systemwide collaboration, coordination and accountability on youth affairs, overseeing the UN’s efforts to strengthen meaningful youth engagement in the areas of sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security.
Prior to taking up his post, Mr. Paullier was the Director General of the National Youth Institute of Uruguay beginning in 2020, where he led efforts to engage young people in policymaking processes at the national level. He previously served in various political management positions at the national level. Throughout his career, he has been a foremost advocate for young people’s rights and the inclusion of young people in decision-making spaces.
Mr. Paullier is a medical doctor by training, specialized in pediatrics. He holds a Medical Doctor degree from the Universidad de la Republica Oriental de Uruguay and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Universidad Católica de Uruguay.
