Cork student: A message of hope for a better world

I was overjoyed, though shocked, to receive my invitation letter in July for the Youth Vision Conference 2025.

I was selected to be a Fully-Funded Delegate and to speak at the conference which was held in Amsterdam in September.

Young people and experts regarded as leaders in their fields from all over the world came together to learn from each other’s insights.

I flew to Amsterdam the day before the conference began and explored the maze of canals and bridges connecting the city. I had time to spend a few hours in the Rijkmuseum, sip a coffee by the river, try Dutch foods and wander around the shops. I really enjoyed my time being a tourist in the city but I was filled with a mix of anticipation, nerves, and, of course, excitement for the days ahead.

The first day of the Assembly, I registered and the ‘Kick-Off’ session began with some icebreakers and excellent keynote speakers.

I was particularly intrigued by a speech about not allowing Artifical Intelligence (AI) to strip away the humanity in people and refocusing on the power of empathy.

After introducing ourselves in the conference room, then spending dinner with all the delegates, we spent the night in Amsterdam enjoying the buzz of the city after dark.

On Saturday, the Youth Statements, from speakers like myself, began. I was deeply grateful to all the other speakers who spoke about a range of vital issues and who provided us with very personal stories from their lives.

I learned so much about South Sudan, the realities for women in Afghanistan, how climate change is impacting the Amazon, the experiences of those in Ukraine, and so on.

I had the chance to speak to doctors in Lebanon, lawyers from Peru, and activists in Brazil trying to combat corruption and poverty.

Topics such as emotional intelligence and mental health along with women accessing leadership roles, the rise of anti-immigrant politics in the UK, peace, human rights and democracy were all brought to the fore.

In the afternoon, we had a workshop on International Human Rights Law by a Pakistani lawyer. I found this session immensely helpful and educational as I am studying Law in UCC and, specifically, am trying to equip myself with a more advanced knowledge of human rights.

On the last day of the Youth Vision Assembly, I was scheduled to give my speech.

My Youth Statement was a call to action and a message about doing your bit to make positive change.

I advocated for each of us to stand up in the face of injustice and come together to ensure a safe future. One such sentiment was: “Action needn’t be a loud protest, a visible social media post or a public speech like this one. The most impactful actions you can take to help progress society are often in your local communities, with people you know and love, and doing the thing you do best.”

I was honoured to have this incredible opportunity to bring my vision of a more sustainable future to a global stage!.

Here is a short extract from the speech I gave:

“If we aren’t bold enough to take action and imaginative enough to believe in a fairer future, nothing can change. Nothing will change.

“I’d like to remind us all (myself included) that hope is the life force of activism and change-making. Without hope, we fall victim to doomism and slip into despair. I implore you not to just focus on all the bad news, but to seek out stories of progress being made and find a community to rely on who give you resilience and hope.”

We also heard from Ziauddin Yousafzai, an educator, advocate for girl’s education, and father to Malala Yousafzai. His words on the value of education and the importance of equality were poignant. The pride he felt for his daughter was also very clear and was a reminder to be courageous in the name of what’s right.

Furthermore, the lecture on Mediation and Alternative Disputes Resolution in Peacebuilding and the workshop on Crisis Management were deeply impactful and informative.

By the time Monday came, I had made lovely friends. I had breakfast in the hotel and then spent the day as a tourist in the city with them. We had time to visit the Modern and Contemporary art museum, MOCO, tried Dutch pancakes and walked the length and breadth of the city before my evening flight home to Cork. It was a bitter-sweet end to such a fruitful trip as we were all sad to say goodbye to each other, but we were also filled with gratitude for such a great few days!

To conclude, the Youth Vision Assembly 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to meet delegates from all over the globe who came together to discuss our passions, goals, and the work we are doing to make a difference in the world.

I discovered so much about everyone’s countries and their homes, and gained a myriad of insights into their cultures.

I was truly inspired by the passion and drive of the young people representing their countries in Amsterdam.

I am honoured to have made such wonderful connections, met colleagues for life and even built some lovely friendships. I was also moved by the tangible sense of diversity, respect, tolerance, empathy and compassion that exuded through the Assembly.

I have gained so much education and memories from my time in Amsterdam, and I’m sure these are lessons that I will take into my advocacy work and life each and every day.