Thailand’s youth leaders encourage inclusion, partnership and lasting change

Nearly 400 young people recently participated in a national dialogue marking the 80th anniversary^th year of Thailand’s membership in the UN.

This anniversary provides an opportunity to look to the future, with young people taking center stage in discussions regarding the implementation of the policy Pact for the Futurea UN global blueprint to address today’s challenges while protecting the interests of future generations.

UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand Michaela Friberg-Storey said turning the Pact’s ambitions into meaningful results would depend on “strong partnerships across society, driven by the energy, creativity and leadership of young people.”

The pact, adopted by UN Member States in September 2024, rests on a simple but important distinction. Future generations, those not yet born, cannot speak for themselves. Young people can.

Six youth panelists told UN News what it takes to make young people’s voices count in practice.

For Rattanachart Paengkum, strengthening the participation of the younger generation is not just about creating new institutions, but rather making existing institutions function better. As Assistant to the President of the Thai Children and Youth Council, he strives to bring the perspective of the younger generation into public decision-making.

“Built in silence, heard by the world. That’s how I see youth participation in Thailand today. We already have a mechanism that could be one of the strongest mechanisms in Southeast Asia. The task now is to strengthen that mechanism and make it truly participatory again.”

His advice to other young people is simple: Every goal starts somewhere. The important thing is to take the first step. Once you act, you learn, improve, and bring others along with you. If you never start, the outcome is already determined.

Earlier this year, Sonyata Panurat represented Thailand at the ECOSOC Youth Forum at the UN Headquarters in New York. He said meaningful participation depends on trust and shared decision-making.

“Young people face challenges that policymakers are trying to solve. Giving us a platform to speak is just the beginning. If nothing follows, nothing changes. Policies must be designed together with the younger generation, not presented to us after decisions have been made.”

Growing up in Omkoi District, in Northern Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Chairat Dipho brought local environmental action to the global stage, from school initiatives to representing ethnic minority youth at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. He said that recognizing young people as equal partners starts with giving them the resources to act.

“Resources are not just funding. They are the knowledge, mentors and opportunities that enable young people to take action. The younger generation is not only future leaders. We are equal stakeholders and partners. When we are seen that way, change can start locally and reach a global stage.”

According to Marisa Yapangku, President of Thailand’s Indigenous Youth Seed Network, participation must go beyond capital cities and conference halls if it is to reflect the reality of indigenous communities.

“As young indigenous women, we face barriers because of our ethnicity and gender. Even when we reach the decision-making space, our ideas are often overlooked. Representation alone is not enough if it is not followed by action.

Decision makers cannot understand the solutions we provide if they have never heard the realities our communities face. We do not come as recipients of mercy. We have come to move forward together.
— Marisa Yapangku

“This platform needs to be localized. Decision makers will not be able to understand the solutions we provide if they never listen to the realities our communities face. We do not come as recipients of pity. We come to move forward together.”

Growing up with a visual disability, Panwasa Srikuna has seen technology change access to education. He said making young people’s voices count also means ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate.

“When I was in high school, I relied on volunteers to read textbooks to me. Today, AI can summarize information and support my learning directly. Technology is changing what young people with disabilities can do. The challenge is to ensure our institutions grow quickly.”

Nattanicha Kattiyavara said that participation is not just about being heard, but ensuring that young people can continue to contribute in the long term. As a youth advisor at the UN Youth Office and founder of The Burnout Advocate Initiative, he said wellbeing must be recognized as part of ongoing community engagement.

“Young advocates are often expected to have relentless resilience. But feeling anxious, tired, or exhausted is not a failure. This often reflects how much the community cares. If we want lasting social change, we must also build systems that support the well-being of those who create them.

“Future generations have no room to speak for themselves,” said Themba Kalua, Director of Implementation of the Future Pact in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General.

“But young people are here now, and their voices, ideas and leadership must be part of the decisions that shape their lives and the future of our society.”