Leeds lad is heading to heart of UN

A Leeds youngster has beaten hundreds of other applicants and earned a spot at a meeting of the United Nations in the US next month.
Minhaz Abedin will head to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.Minhaz Abedin will head to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Minhaz Abedin will head to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Minhaz Abedin will join the UK’s delegation and represent the country’s young people at the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

He will accompany the International Development Secretary Priti Patel and will ensure the voices of British youth are heard at the decision-making table on the world’s biggest issues.

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The former Grammar School at Leeds pupil began lobbying his local MP when he was just ten years old.

Minhaz has remained very engaged in his community’s regional and youth work ever since.

He has gone from speaking at the Dispatch Box of the House of Commons to representing the views of millions of young people as a Member of the Youth Parliament.

In addition to the UNGA, Minhaz, who is now aged 18, will attend events focusing on tackling extreme poverty, boosting women’s economic empowerment and strengthening global security.

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He will demonstrate first hand to world leaders at the Summit the power of including young people in the decision-making process.

He said: “I’ve seen how difficult it is to reach out to young people, because the Global Goals are a daunting topic for everyone.

“But if we break it down, we can let young people know that each Global Goal is independent.

“That is how we’ll make change; by allowing passionate young people to be the driving force.”

The 71st Regular Session of the UNGA will begin on September 13.