“We want a better world, and so we need to propose real solutions. This is where the work of WYA is so important. You’re never too small to speak up. Somebody has to,” said Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, former Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia, at the opening panel of the 20th International Solidarity Forum (ISF), which was held at the University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain from May 22-26, 2023.
The first in-person ISF since Covid-19 gathered over 30 delegates from 24 countries to participate in weeklong lectures, debates, negotiations, and cultural activities.
The Forum featured expert lectures from Christophe Foltzenlogel from the European Centre for Law and Justice; Dr. Wahome Ngare, head of Mercy Medical Centre, Kenya; Atty. Maria Concepcion Noche, Dean of the University of Asia and the Pacific Institute of Law; Olivia Serrano Nuñez, Executive Director Construye Observatorio Regional para la Mujer and more.
“The sessions provided valuable insights, encouraged us to be highly critical of language used, and helped me understand that even highly respected global organizations have their skeletons,” shared WYA Africa head delegate Nyingi Wahome from Kenya.
A key output of every International Solidarity Forum is a declaration written on the theme of the forum. The declaration language is proposed and negotiated over multiple intense days of debates amongst WYA delegates representing every region.
“The plenary negotiations were something that surprised me constantly. As if it were a code inserted in our behaviors, heads, and hearts, the delegates took the investiture of the representation of our regions as a true honor, and this was reflected in the participation of each one. The arguments were deep, supportive, rational, but above all very human, very human-centered, which is what makes us WYA,” said Ana Fernanda Ramírez Santizo, ISF delegate from Guatemala. You may read the final version of the new Declaration here.
Aside from the lectures and negotiations, the delegates also engaged in fun activities, including a cultural tour of Pamplona and a taste of Pamplona’s pinchos, which are small snacks typically eaten in a bar. They also attended the weekly Thursday street party called juevincho.
“It was a week filled with laughter, energy, and intense discussion, culminating in heartfelt goodbye hugs, farewell messages over Whatsapp, lots of crying emojis, and even some real tears…What I discovered this week at the ISF was that the key to world peace, and successful negotiations, is friendship,” shared Marieta Mortensen, WYA North America head delegate from the United States.
The Forum culminated in a closing ceremony on the evening of May 26, in which the 2023 Viktor Frankl Awardees were presented with their awards.
Ana Fernanda Ramírez Santizo shared her takeaway from the ISF, saying: “on the return trip to my country, I could only think about how inspired I was by all my delegate friends, the incredible work they have done in their own regions… I am proud to be part of a global voice of youth that stands for what truly matters, and proud of the Declaration we created, uniting our nations as protectors of Human Dignity and Human Rights.
The WYA Headquarters wishes to thank the WYA Europe office, WYA Spain Chapter, the University of Navarra, and all partners who made the 20th edition of the ISF a huge success.
