Geneva, Switzerland – At the recent pre-conference to the United Nations Summit of the Future, Hon. Monica Semedo, Member of the European Parliament, delivered a compelling speech that underscored the need for increased minority representation in European governance. The event, titled “Shaping the Futures: Amplifying Minority Voices through Youth, Traditional, and Political Leaders for Sustainable Development and Global Governance,” was held at the Palais du Wilson, United Nations Geneva.
The conference was organized by the Global Minority Parliamentarians Caucus which was founded and chaired by Hon. Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo, representing the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland.
This event provided a platform for discussing the integral role of diverse voices in shaping policy and governance on a global scale. Semedo, serving as a member of the growing Global Minority Parliamentarians Caucus. She highlighted a significant disparity in representation within the European Parliament, noting that, despite the continent’s population of 120 million people, only seven members of African descent currently hold seats, whereas at least fifty members would be a more representative figure.
Semedo passionately advocated for the active participation of youth in politics and emphasized the crucial role of sports, culture, and education as tools to combat racism. “We must empower our youth and ensure that our political spaces reflect the diversity of the people they represent,” Semedo stated. She urged her audience, particularly young attendees, to become vocal advocates for change and to actively participate in shaping the future of not only Europe but the world.
The European Parliamentarian’s call to action resonated with attendees, sparking discussions on how to effectively support minority candidates and engage young people in the political process.
To further this conversation, Hon. Monica Semedo’s full speech is available for viewing. She not only shares insights from her experiences but also lays out actionable steps for increasing minority participation in political roles.
Watch Hon. Monica Semedo’s full speech here
For more updates on the Summit of the Future and coverage on how global leaders are planning to address key issues in sustainable development and governance, stay tuned to Geneva Times.
I find these interviews quite interesting as we hear only very little from the European parlamentarians as you normally hear only from the Commission.
The European parliament is bound to take over a much more important role in future and as this young lady says we better get prepared to this.