Swiss UN Youth Representative Flora Chiper was invited to speak at a Panel Discussion during the Global Coalition for Social Justice. She interacted with ILO, the Swiss Department of Economics, and integrated the opinion of Swiss youth organizations to give her "knowledge drop" at the event about multi-stakeholder partnerships. Here's the transcript:
Good morning everyone,
My name is Flora Chiper, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this dialogue as the Swiss Youth Representative to the UN, to highlight the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Youth participation depends on strong partnerships. In Switzerland, this means collaborating in an ecosystem of youth organizations, schools, and government entities, with support from associations that provide the necessary platforms. As Youth Delegates, we work with our partners both on youth-specific issues and on making spaces more inclusive so young voices are heard and taken seriously.
Internationally, we coordinate closely with other Youth Delegates, drafting joint letters and aligning positions before UN conferences. Digital tools allow us to partner with youth from all corners of the world. Most of this work is voluntary, so sustained & meaningful youth engagement depends on coordination networks and institutional backing—especially from bodies like the UN Youth Office.
Now on to our challenges. We conducted youth consultations in Switzerland, that showed that Gen Z’s top concerns are climate change and peace & security — followed closely by economic pressures, inequalites, and mental health.
A key economic challenge for youth is transition into employment. Many feel stuck in cycles of unpaid internships that replace entry-level jobs and exclude those without financial support. This deepens inequality and restricts opportunites. We fully support the UN Youth Office’s push to ban unpaid internships in the UN, and call for broader efforts to build fair, accessible pathways into work.
Gender inequality and lack of care infrastructure are also major barriers. Without affordable childcare or eldercare, many young women can’t properly start their careers. Both public and private sectors must act to turn policy recommendations into real action.
Another urgent concern is mental health. Nearly every Youth Delegate I speak with ranks it among the top issues in their country. A 2022 Harvard study in The Lancet estimates mental health-related GDP losses at 4–8%. Some countries are implementing early intervention models, that we must learn from. But real progress requires intergenerational solidarity and spaces where young people co-create solutions. Our generation faces different realities, and what worked before may not work for us. That’s why we want solutions with us, not just for us.
Finally: partnerships matter, because a just future can’t be built alone, especially in today’s interconnected world. I urge all stakeholders to ask themselves: Do we have spaces for real collaboration with our local youth? If not, it’s time to create e.g. like youth councils and initiate meaningful dialogue. Because we are innovative, come up with ideas outside the box and think long-term. For us, future-proof policies are existential. While we often hear that “youth are the future,” we’re also the present. We’re here now and ready to strengthen partnerships to co-create a decent future.
Thank you.
Special thanks to the SECO (Swiss Department of Economic Affairs), especially State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda and H.E. Ambassador Valérie Berset Bircher for the valuable echange.