Higher education students were in focus at this year’s UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), where delegates debated how education can drive progress on the 2030 Agenda. From policy advocacy on education in emergencies to climate change education and equitable mobility, students and their representatives called for universities to “practice what they preach” and become part of the solution.
The Global Student Forum stressed the importance of democratic representation over tokenistic participation, while UNESCO and civil society voices underlined how engagement at the HLPF strengthens students’ sustainability competencies and future leadership. Delegations like the Young Diplomats of Canada shared both the opportunities and barriers to meaningful access, from funding challenges to limited speaking time.
As UN institutions expand youth involvement, the question remains how to build truly inclusive systems that ensure student voices are not only heard, but have lasting impact.
