International Youth Day 2025: Youth for Peace and Partnership
By Jingyi Olivia Zhang, Digital Communications Intern at the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) | (2024 Cohort)

This year’s International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond,” recognizes the vital role of young people in driving sustainable change within their communities and across the world. My internship at the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) in 2024 was more than a career milestone, it was an opportunity to contribute to peacebuilding and partnership efforts that connect global frameworks to local realities.

UNOAU works to strengthen UN–AU cooperation on peace and security, provide strategic advice on capacity building and operational support, and ensure a coordinated UN presence in Addis Ababa. From my first day as a Communications Intern, I felt embraced by the office’s inclusive culture. Senior officers, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), welcomed me warmly setting a tone of openness and mentorship that defined my experience.

One of the most memorable aspects of my internship was engaging with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, including military and police advisors from around the world. Many were curious about my Chinese heritage and, in turn, shared their own stories and cultures. On my first day, a military officer from Zimbabwe asked me to write “Chinese letters” for him. When I explained that Chinese uses characters rather than letters, he was astonished. That exchange sparked a friendship and reminded me that cultural exchange is not just a pleasant by-product of multilateral work, it is a powerful tool for building trust and understanding.

With my background in communications, I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities. I participated in UN Country Communication Group meetings and supported the planning of the UN-wide commemoration of the International Day of Peace. My proposal for a panel discussion linking the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas was approved, and I helped secure UNOAU’s Senior Gender Advisor as a speaker. I also coordinated the launch of She Stands for Peace Podcast Season Four during the Peace Day event—an initiative celebrating women’s contributions to peace.

These experiences reaffirmed my belief that when young professionals are trusted with responsibility, they bring fresh perspectives that can strengthen the work of international organizations. As we mark International Youth Day 2025, I hold the conviction that young people have a unique power to bridge worlds, challenge old narratives, and imagine new pathways to peace.

My work at UNOAU—from advancing gender equality to supporting peacebuilding initiatives—reflects how local youth action contributes to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). When youth voices are valued and their ideas supported, they can transform vision into lasting change for peace, equality, and sustainability.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United Nations Office to the African Union.