Attending the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the UNICEF Youth Advocates Mobilisation Lab (“The Lab”) was nothing short of life changing. It was my first time in New York, my first time at UNICEF headquarters, and I had the honor of being the only Caribbean representative in the room. I went with a clear mission: to strengthen my advocacy on nutrition, healthy food policies, and mental health, and to carry the voices of Jamaican youth into global spaces.
The Lab itself was equal parts fun and intense. We learned how to tailor messages for different audiences, sharpen our strategies, and most importantly, how to tell our own stories. I’ve always focused on the issues, but this trip pushed me to share my personal journey in advocacy. The more I spoke, the more confident I became, and I saw firsthand how stories move people just as much as statistics.
Outside the Lab, the week was a whirlwind of panels, high-level events, and unforgettable moments. I co-hosted UNICEF’s “Breaking the Silence” high level event with Emmy award-winning journalist, Richelle Carey; spoke at Columbia University on bridging the divide between non-communicable disease (NCDs) and mental health; and joined a fireside chat for the Global Obesity Forum at the Harvard Club with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and former NBA star, Pau Gasol.
Additionally, I presented Jamaica’s perspectives on nutrition and mental health to UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russel; UNICEF’s Director of Child Nutrition and Development, Dr Joan Matji; and the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, ensuring our concerns reached the organization’s top decision-makers. Sitting across from global leaders and speaking on behalf of Jamaican youth was a moment that left a permanent mark on me, an experience I’ll never forget.
One of the most powerful insights came from advice I received from the Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organization, Dr Jeremy Farrar. When I asked how I could sustain my advocacy, he told me to “stay edgy.” It struck me deeply, because too often, youth voices get softened once we enter systems. His words reminded me to always stay bold, authentic, and uncompromising in this work.
Being one of the few Black youths in these global rooms was humbling. To know that Jamaica had a seat at these tables, and that I could spotlight the importance of healthy food policies and mental health, meant everything. I left UNGA inspired, encouraged, and determined to keep pushing for systems that work better for young people.
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Natalia (20) is a social work student from Jamaica. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for young people to speak openly about their health. She has played a key role in the UNICEF Fix My Food campaign in the country, raising awareness about healthier food policies and food justice. Natalia also advocates for improved youth access to mental health support, helping shape national policies.
