Youth Voices, Bold Visions for Peace: Commemorating UN Day 2024

Standing at the lectern atop the Central Bank Auditorium stage, Krisann Bedassie had a captive audience of Government, UN and development leaders in front of her.

The 17-year-old spoken word poet grasped the microphone, stared out at the dozens of people staring back at her, and asked sincerely:

Are we where we're supposed to be?

Is this the life of peace and security

the founding leaders and mothers and fathers

wanted us to achieve? As leaders of today you have to know

that it's not just titles

it's the love that you give

using your voices to let humanity live

so when they ask you what it means to lead

remember it's not power, it's planting a seed.

Her reflections on peace and security - a pillar of the UN Charter and the organisation's work around the world - resonated deeply with the powerful audience. She reminded them that, when the UN was founded in San Francisco in 1945, those who signed the UN Charter envisioned " a world where leaders would set the example and solve wars with ballpoint pens, instead of missiles, soldiers and bullet ends... a world where power lies in what we defend."

It was a point of introspection at the UN Day 2024 Partners and Staff Reception hosted by the UN Country Team in Trinidad and Tobago. The centrepiece of the event, held on October 30 at the Central Bank Auditorium, was performances by three young creatives with bold ideas and inspiring visions for a better world. Their songs and poetry left the audience of UN staff, Government policymakers and development partners with a renewed commitment to sustainable development. 

Extempo artiste, Mark Howell-Paul, and spoken word poet, Imani Miller, joined Krisann to deliver performances that touched on social cohesion, mental health and social inequality.

Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. Amery Browne, noted that the Declaration on Future Generations coming out of the Summit of the Future called on countries to create the spaces and platforms for young people to fulfil their potential as agents of change.

"To the young people gathered here with us this evening, your lives and your talent are testament to the existence in this country of an unusual volume of potential," Minister Browne said during his remarks. "Our first Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams, famously said that the future of this country lies in the school bags of our children. I respectfully wish to add that it also lies in appropriately-used smart devices...in poetry, in spoekn word, in other forms of artistry, on the sporting field, and in other endeavours found in the wide menu of youth devevlopment programmes and training options available for our young people. You are the product of your choices and decisions and young people, you must be symbols of hope."

He echoed the call in the Pact for the Future for a global standard for meaningful youth engagement. Minister Browne also underscored the "invaluable contribution" of the United Nations to the development of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region."

Minister of Planning and Development, Penny Beckles, lauded the UN's dedication to providing Small Island Developing States with a global platform to make their voices heard. She saluted the UN System working in Trinidad and Tobago for their "unwavering commitment" in championing initiatives that strengthen the country's sustainable development.

"This partnership has produced many successes which have redounded to the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago's citizens," Minister Beckles declared, noting key achievements in collaborations on energy efficiency, climate mitigation, security and healthcare.

UN Resident Coordinator, Joanna Kazana, thanked Government partners, civil society organisations, development partners and the UN staff for their stellar collaboration.

"Every year, on this occasion, we are reminded of the power of international cooperation and multilateralism," she said during her remarks. "We are reminded of the possibility of nations united and working together in pursuit of peace, prosperity and a sustainable future for our planet."

There are nearly 250 UN staff members working on projects in Trinidad and Tobago, either from offices based in-country or in regional offices throughout the Caribbean. Together, they partner with national stakeholders on initiatives aimed to accelerate Trinidad and Tobago's achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2023, this collaboration delivered US $15 million in initiatives. 

As Krisann ended her performance at the UN Day event, she left the development stakeholders in the room with a final, poignant message to spur them on:

"We're more than just one country, 

We're more than just one flag, 

We're more than just one person, 

Together we can achieve the 2030 Vision, 

Not as one person 

But as a united nation"