I, like many millennials, do not always understand the entire process of the United Nations. We often find ourselves with the lack of exposure to the UN and their impact on our everyday lives. Like many millennials, I find most of my news and current event updates through social media. And, after watching fellow millennial, UN Secretary General Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, I was inspired.
Ahmad Alhendawi is not just any millennial, he made history as the youngest appointed senior official at the United Nations, and he is speaking on behalf of the 1.8 billion millennials globally. He has created ways to have all the youth of today participate in their own panels to invest in their own futures by making recommendations to the UN system on changes they can implement. By allowing the input of millennials to be used to aide UN decision-makers, it closes the gap of non-communication with a generation which will one day be the lawmakers while allowing millennials to participate in the process of changing their own world.
Alhendawi is a main participant in the United Nations' initiative called : The Sustainable Developmental Goals, 17 objectives to change the entire world by 2030. Each goal is designed to implement human equality, extreme poverty, and environmental stability by helping shape policy and agenda items for all UN member states. Not only can millennials find ways to aide in these goals, Alhendawi has provided resources for youth to be able to take action in their own cities by providing organizations to join and participate. It also answers many questions millennials ask about the goals as well as providing a blogging atmosphere and posted videos on updates of the initiatives, allowing youth to engage live using twitter chats and social media for outreach.
As technology becomes more streamlined and readily available for everyone world-wide, all millennials will be able to be more in-tune with their world. According to industry research, 45% of millennials follow their news daily from social networking websites. And, more often than not, they will stumble upon news from their own social networks and peers. With this network of potential outreach, technology has allowed advancement of news and conversation of various topics globally. With the current shift Millennials are doing in the workplace, it is only a matter of time until their impact of change is on a global scale.
The 2006 Cone Millennial Cause Study found that Millennials do care about their world and their surroundings. The study found "Sixty-one percent [of millennials] are worried about the state of the world and feel personally responsible to make a difference." It also notes "this generation is worried about the world on a broad scale, and expects companies to support major world issues. Given their immediate access to news and current events, it is no surprise that Millennials are very aware of the world around them." And, they want their employers to be committed to the same social issues as they are, to make the world a better place. The study noted "56% said they would refuse to work for a company that they found to be unfriendly to social and environmental causes."
Growing up with the Internet has exposed Millennials to an entire Global Community and increased their awareness of news and world events. Millennials have numerous ways to readily learn about world affairs, and are happy to take on this challenge. They believe it is up to them to assume the responsibility of making a lasting, positive impact on the future. With the UN goals and the Millennials' drive to make their own lives more enriched and the world truly a better place, they can make a positive impact on the future.
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