A conversation about 75 years of UN
On Tuesday 20 October, Bartel Van de Walle, new director of UNU-MERIT met with Limburg governor Theo Bovens, ahead of UN Day on 24 October 2020. The two leaders discussed the state of the province and the planet, how to ensure young people are listened to and empowered, and how UNU-MERIT's staff and fellows are ambassadors for the UN.
  You can read a transcription of their conversation here.
 
A UN75 Dialogue in the Great Hall of Justice: The Future We Want
On 24 October 2020, five students in the double-degree Master's programme in Public Policy and Human Development jointly offered by Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT participated in a high-level UN dialogue in the Hague to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the UN. During this event, young people were given the opportunity “to share and discuss their dreams, criticisms, and visions for the future of the UN.” MPP students Rita Bakunda, Alexander Lurvink, and Diana Owuor expressed their views and recommendations on topics such as gender equality, youth empowerment and participation in policy decisions to The President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Abdulqawi A. Yusuf and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok, and the Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen.
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