Applications open to join One Young World's first-ever Indigenous Council
Apply here!
As the world celebrated the UN's International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, we were excited to announce One Young World's Indigenous Strategy for 2023/24. As reflected by this Strategy, we recognise the importance of partnering, engaging, and supporting Indigenous and First Nation young people worldwide. We are proud of the global and growing Community of the One Young World Ambassadors from Indigenous communities and are committed to representing their interests and the interests of young Indigenous people around the world.
A central step towards this is establishing an advisory body comprised of young Indigenous leaders working to ensure that Indigenous communities' voices, perspectives, and needs are at the forefront of all decision-making at One Young World. The Council will comprise ten Indigenous One Young World Ambassadors from different communities around the world. One Young World has identified a selection panel of expert One Young World Ambassadors to review applications for the Council and select the Council members, including Zachary McCue, Founder of REPWR, Lavau Nalu, One Young World's Coordinating Ambassador for the Pacific Islands, Tania Rosas, Co-founder Origen Learning Fund, and Mary Moeno-Kolio, Manager-Pacific at New Zealand's Ministry of Education.
The Indigenous Council will serve as an advisory body to provide strategic guidance and insights on One Young World’s future work with Indigenous communities. The Council's function is critical in ensuring that One Young World's work is culturally sensitive, respectful, and impactful, and crucially that any activities are sustainable and effective.
The initial strategic priorities the Council will help shape are based on an initial consultation we held with ten Indigenous One Young World Ambassadors. They include organising an Indigenous Youth Day before the Summit in Montréal (Tiohtià:ke) in 2024. This event will bring together young Indigenous leaders around the world, giving them a platform to share their experiences, learn from each other, and engage with other One Young World Delegates. We acknowledge that the One Young World 2024 Summit will take place within the traditional unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) peoples, part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. There is also a strong historic presence of Anishinaabe peoples in what is now known as the Greater Montréal area. Tiohtià:ke, or Montréal, has also long been, and continues to be, a gathering place for many First Peoples from all directions. We thank the traditional custodians of this land and seek to honour them in our work.
Other priorities include (but are not limited to) maximising Indigenous peoples' access to One Young World, partnering with Indigenous and First Nations organisations to create world-class opportunities for Indigenous youth, building a network of young Indigenous leaders, and funding initiatives led by young Indigenous leaders. Another area the Council will advise on is the content as part of the Summit agenda, Community events, and on One Young World's social media channels. This includes content throughout the year that recognises and celebrates Indigenous people, and promotes the achievements and impact of Indigenous young leaders in the One Young World Community.
Over the next few months, Ambassadors will be invited to apply to join the first One Young World Indigenous Council. Once selected, the Council will meet monthly to advise on the strategic priorities established in the initial consultation, explore new initiatives, and consult on One Young World's decision-making. Members of the Council will be compensated for their participation with fully-funded access to the Summit in Montréal in 2024, including transport and accommodation. We will also reimburse essential costs incurred from their participation.
The Council and Strategy demonstrate our intention to engage with Indigenous youth effectively and collaboratively, providing them with the resources, networks, and opportunities needed to achieve their goals. One Young World recognises the importance of ensuring this work is led by First Nations leaders and will work in partnership with Indigenous and First Nation organisations and youth to achieve shared goals and create positive change globally.
We acknowledge that this will be a continuous learning experience and that, as an organisation, One Young World won’t get everything right. We remain committed to continuous improvement and are open and receptive to feedback ([email protected]).