Two WUR students may become UN youth representatives

Dutch youths elect four new UN Youth Representatives each year. These youngsters then go on to represent them in issues such as Sustainable Development, Biodiversity and Food, Human Rights and Security and European Matters. Youth representatives meet with national and international politicians to discuss these critical issues. It is a unique opportunity for young people to create an impact in the field of politics and sustainability.

This year, two Wageningen University & Research students have a shot at this position. Student of Governance of Sustainability Transformations Lieve Piet (22) is a candidate for the theme Sustainable Development. Within the theme of Biodiversity and Food, Bine Liem (22), a student of Nutrition and Health, hopes to represent the youngsters. The two students are also friends. What motivated them to stand as candidates? What do they hope to achieve? How do they support each other during this election? And how does the election work?

Food systems and biodiversity

Bine explains. The students start by writing a letter of motivation. ‘Lieve and I discussed this at length, and I worked on it for a full month. Following that, we were invited to discuss with a member of the National Youth Council board and one of the current representatives. If you do well there, you make it into the preliminary round. There, you pitch yourself and deliver a presentation and a guest lecture on one of the Sustainable Development Goals.’ The aspiring representatives were also subjected to thorough questioning by a youth jury and policymaker from a relevant ministry.

‘I was asked by the jury why I wasn’t joining for the field of Sustainable Development, as Lieve was’, Bine says. ‘That was a straightforward question to answer. As a former board member of Students for Tomorrow – known, among other things, for the SustainaBul— I have only a general level of experience with sustainability, and I desire a deeper focus on what interests me. I started studying Nutrition and Health for a reason, and I want to focus on the important link between biodiversity and our food systems.’ She adds that delving into something only becomes more interesting as you gain knowledge about it.

Bridging the knowledge gap

Science is also a key topic for Lieve. She explains that she wants to focus on bridging the knowledge gap concerning climate change. ‘It may sound unbelievable, but I have friends who did not believe in climate change two years ago. Research shows that not nearly everyone is convinced. There is a wealth of knowledge, but that is also somewhat overwhelming.’ Moreover, she underscores it sometimes sounds as if we have already lost the battle and may as well give up. ‘While the solutions are already available, we need only embrace and implement them together.’

Lieve was a candidate before but just failed to make it. ‘That resulted in a little damage to my ego if you get my drift’, she says. This year, she aims to focus less on the competition and more on herself. ‘I also asked for more help. It is amazing how many people say yes if you simply ask them for help. I am also a lot more open about why this election matters to me so much.’

Joining the conversation on key issues

Lieve wants to make it clear that young people can change things together, as they form almost one-third of society. ‘It’s a little cringy, but the young generation is the future’, Bine adds. ‘Talking with policymakers and politicians may not be very sexy, but it allows me to use my voice to enable youths to join the conversation on the key challenges we face.’ Lieve agrees. ‘The opinions of young people may be gathered, but they often disappear in some drawer. We are actually present and can not be ignored.’