United Nations & ERI visit for senior Youth Ambassadors

From 21- 23 January, the Edmund Rice Office team were delighted to be able to accompany our senior schools’ Youth Ambassadors to Geneva. The first of these trips since COVID, our Youth Ambassadors were able to attend the 4th cycle of the UPR process, being present at the UPR sessions for Senegal and China. We arrived in Geneva on Sunday and the young people sent some time getting to know one another over dinner. All schools sent representatives of their justice groups, the students were very engaged in learning more about the work of ERI and gave well-prepared presentations on the UN and its processes that they had prepared in advance of the visit. We were welcomed Br Brother Brian Bond and Brother Terry Dowling at the ERI Headquarters where students engaged in a workshop on the UPR process and other key mechanisms that the UN has established in a bid to improve access and enjoyment to fundamental Human Rights for all peoples in all corners of the globe. Later, at the Human Rights Council Chamber we were witness to the Universal Periodic Review of Senegal. Students could get to grips with the process and begin to understand the main areas of human rights that member states were recommending that this country address such as; a free education for all children, an end to FGM and GBV, end of the death penalty and improved healthcare. The following day, were were present at the same process which examines China’s human rights record. After encountering many moving protests on the Place des Nations outside the UN from minority groups such as Uyghur people and some Tibetans, students began to become more informed around the social, cultural and religious repression by the Chinese state of these communities. As expected, the China UPR was very busy and we attended in an overspill room. It was fascinating to hear which countries, such as many African nations who are receiving economic and infrastructural support from China, did not criticise their human rights infringements. Some nations did avoid the common ‘politeness’ in their statements, directly putting across their recommendations on issues such as arbitrary arrest of Uyghurs, access to free press and media, freedom of cultural expression and free movement.

Students have been ‘fired up’ by their experience at the UN. Some are considering the internship program with ERI and all will be taking their learning back into school to share with fellow pupils. The possibility for our Edmund Rice communities to engage with UN processes at the highest level through ERI is a privilege. Standing up for justice and hearing the voice of the most marginalised is our responsibility as Edmund’s people.

Students share their highlights with us:

“It was very interesting to experience China’s UPR and to observe the allegiances between countries and conversely the challenges countries like Canada gave to China. A great, eye-opening experience overall.” Zach, St Anselm’s College

“My highlight of the Geneva Trip was watching the UPR sessions of Senegal and China. I found it very interesting learning about how the Human Rights Record is monitored within the countries that are part of the United Nations. Also, I had so much fun meeting and spending time with the other Edmund Rice Youth Ambassadors from across England!”  Harriet, St Edward’s College

“The opportunity of travelling with Edmund Rice International to Geneva to see the organisation’s role in the UN was an extremely valuable insight for me. It helped me gain a better understanding of the importance of politics in delivering justice to all people as well as the specific role of ERI in advocating for problems that need urgent attention.” Mitul, St Ambrose College