Mobilizing Youth Power for Global Change: Meet United Nations Young Professionals at UT
At the United Nations Young Professionals (UNYP) at UT, we believe that the most effective solutions to global problems originate with young people—those who bring bold ideas, global perspectives, and focused local action plans. As a student-led organization aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), we exist to amplify youth voices in decision-making spaces and to turn advocacy into action.
Our work focuses on three core SDGs
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)
Climate Action (SDG 13)
Quality Education (SDG 4)
These goals are not merely aspirational; they are defined actionable commitments. Our projects aim to empower students to initiate meaningful and continuous local and global change. Here is how we plan to make that happen…
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions:
Creating Pathways for youth to lead in governance, justice, and human rights
We are committed to strengthening democratic participation and ensuring youth voices are heard in conversations about peace and policy. Our initiatives for the future include:
Essay Collection Presentation
Host an essay collection presentation on immigration issues in Austin to raise awareness about housing conditions and raise $5,000 to improve living conditions.
Launching Campaigns
Launch a campaign featuring tabling events, blogs, and social media outreach on homelessness in Austin, raising $5,000 to support a local organization addressing homelessness.
Refugee Advocacy
Raise $5,000 to support refugee families in Austin by funding legal assistance and basic living essentials.
Climate Action:
Fueling youth-led environmental innovation and policy reform.
As the generation inheriting the climate crisis, we refuse to wait, we aim to lead the solution. This year, we are planning to launch initiatives to mobilize resources and voices to push for meaningful progress in environmental justice and sustainability.
$20K for Resilience
Raising $20,000 to build climate resilience infrastructure, from solar panels for schools to community garden projects that promote sustainability and local food systems.
Digital Storytelling Campaign
Launching a platform to share the environmental struggles of youth in frontline communities, putting real faces and stories behind the climate data.
Climate Awareness Week
Organizing a youth-led nationwide Climate Awareness Week, reaching at least 10 schools, to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.
Policy and Legislative Action
Working to pass a climate mitigation or environmental justice bill in the Legislature, because policy is where change becomes permanent.
Policy Paper Presentation
Publishing and presenting a climate policy paper, grounded in student research, to inform government decision-making.
Quality Education
Because learning should be a right, not a privilege.
Equity starts with access to education. Our commitment is to dismantle barriers and expand opportunities, driving both more accessible and more equitable educational outcomes at home and globally. .
Attendance Advocacy
Doubling average daily attendance at one of our global partner schools by removing barriers like transportation, hunger, and family engagement.
Community Literacy Project
Building a mini-library/learning center and organizing book drives will increase literacy rates by 5% in the surrounding community.
Join Our Movement
At UNYP, we move beyond dialogue to tangible action: organizing, funding, writing, and advocating for change. By channeling our passion in climate action, educational equity, and human rights, we are constructing a future that reflects values of peace, equity, and sustainability, and it starts with our work right here on campus.
Mya Duncan
Edited by Marissa Ambat
