UvA student makes it to final round to be next UN youth ambassador

If Jakhini (18, pedagogical science) wins, she’ll be youth ambassador for two years, which includes a visit to the UN General Assembly in New York. Jakhini thinks she’ll be able to represent all young people regardless of their social class, background or ethnicity: ‘After class I’m often in the kebab shop, and for Carnival I’m in Tilburg or Eindhoven.’

She thinks young people can find politics alienating. ‘The language politicians use, their themes… Politics should adapt their message to the youth, not the other way around.’ The key point of her campaign is education, which she believes should be more equal and inclusive. ‘The majority of students at university aren’t representative of our society as a whole. This means our politicians and policy makers come from a homogenous group and then have to create policy for our entire multicultural society.’

No typical candidate

As a pedagogical science student, Jakhini isn’t your typical candidate. Many former youth ambassadors studied politics or law. ‘But a youth ambassador has to think about what young people want, and that’s my specialisation.’

You can vote for Jakhini on the Youth Ambassador website until 30 October. The name of the next youth ambassador will be announced on the Night of the UN in Pakhuis De Zwijger on 30 October.