United Nations, New York (8 April 2025) – On Friday April 4, 2025, H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams graced the podium of the United Nations General Assembly to deliver an inspiring and stirring address to young people from around the world at the Future We Want: Global Initiative for Young Leaders which was held in New York from April 3-6, 2025. The theme of the Conference was, “Empowering Youth to Reinforce Multilateralism: Engaging Youth Leadership in Building a World of Peace.”
In her address Ambassador Williams said, “As the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, of the smallest independent country in the western hemisphere, that is, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, it gives me immense honour and pleasure, to share a few thoughts with this wonderful group of young leaders, who I am assured, by your very presence here today, will all go on to do remarkable things in this world.”
She continued, “Also, as a former educator, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to once again impart knowledge to the youth populace, which I hope will stimulate critical thinking, and inspire positive action, throughout your lives and careers. I chose to emphasize the fact that my beloved country is the ‘smallest’ in our part of the world, because although we are small by nature, at the United Nations our voice and vote is just as powerful as all other Member States.”
Her Excellency went on to emphasize that every voice, every positive action, every person, no matter how small, can make significant and impactful changes in the world. Each youth delegate was asked to select one of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and become a champion or advocate for that goal. According to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, there are only five years left to achieve the SDGs. Ambassador Williams ended her address with a reminder and call to action. She said, “I wish to reiterate that the world is waiting to benefit from your innovative and visionary ideas and transformative initiatives. Therefore, follow your passions and pursue them relentlessly!”
The Future We Want (FWW) is a program organized and sponsored by the Italian Diplomatic Academy, an NGO associated with United Nations DGC, and managed by the World Council for Youth and Diplomacy, a New York-based global educational NGO. It is the World’s Largest Model United Nations initiative with training programs designed to empower youth and get them into real United Nations Diplomacy.
Inspired by the 2012 Rio+20 Resolution, “The Future We Want”, Future We Want Global Initiative for Young Leaders is today among the largest initiatives in the world to empower youth. FWWMUN is committed to promoting a united international community, a better future, and a more sustainable world through the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FWWMUN has identified 10 goals from the 17 SDGs as key focus areas related to youth and education to guide the work of the organization.
Ambassador Williams, a former professor, said that she considers herself a lifelong educator. She noted that it was a tremendous honour for her to deliver the keynote address before a packed hall of eager, brilliant, and innovative young people in the UN’s General Assembly. Her Excellency informed, that she welcomes any opportunity to interact with or share knowledge especially with the youth.
