"Who Rules the World" is a new podcast by European Union to the United Nations Youth Delegates Lucija Karnelutti and Nadia Gullestrup Christensen. In Episode 1, Lucija chats with the UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric about the importance of the UN, how can youth get involved, and how a faulty escalator can bring the UN to a halt.

Episode 1 - Interview w/ UN Secretary General's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric

Episode 2 of Who Rules the World podcast, recorded by Youth Delegate Nadia, is a live conversation that took place in the heart of Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt where COP27 takes place. Nadia’s interlocutor is Joshua Amponsem, who is the climate lead to the UN’s Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth and the founder of the Green Africa Youth Organization - a youth-led organization that empowers young people to work with environmental sustainability. In this episode, you will hear a description of the different youth initiatives at COP27 and how do they function. In addition, you can hear what can be done in the future to improve youth involvement at COP28 and beyond.

Episode 2

Episode 2 - COP27: The Role of Youth

Guest: Olivia Adhiambo, Africa policy specialist with over 10 years work across various conservation NGOs

The UN Biodiversity COP15 took place in Montreal, Canada from 7 to 19 December. The conference determines the action on nature protection in the coming years. This is a challenging task, as we do not only need ambitious goals on protecting nature, but we also need global goals to be implemented and make a change locally. Among many things, this requires that local and indigenous people’s rights to nature are respected and that their knowledge of nature protection is recognized. That said, many more initiatives are needed. This episode will discuss the key points needed at COP15 that will ensure that the goals of COP15 do not end up unachieved as the Aichi goals from COP14 are, but instead potentially enables us to get on track to living in harmony with nature.

Episode 3 - COP15: Global Goals and Local Impact

Guest: Boštjan Videmšek, Journalist, Author, European Climate Pact Ambassador in Slovenia, writer, ultra-marathon runner, climate activist, member of the President's climate advisory board.
Human Rights Day is 10 December. Lucija talked to her guest about the shifts in the field of human rights - where has the world made improvements and where had human rights backslid; what were the biggest milestones in the field of human rights in recent years.
Discussion also covers the links between human rights and climate crises; the role of youth and digitization.

Episode 4 - Human Rights Day

Episode 5 of the Who Rules the World Podcast by EU Youth Delegates Nadia and Lucija features this time Anda Bologa, Political Attaché for the Fifth Committee (5C) at the EU Delegation to the UN. Anda talked with María Reyes Fernández, Counsellor for Fifth Committee at the Spanish Mission to the UN. This episode covers the way the UN budget is negotiated and adopted. The episode is walking listeners through the many challenges and opportunities that diplomats face during this process. The main aim of UN Budget negations is to fund essential UN mandates.

Episode 5 - Negotiating UN Budget: Follow the Money!

The guest of the 6th Episode is Jessica Mshama, Tanzanian Entrepreneur, CEO J Sisters Company, activist, artist and a champion of #OurVoiceOurFuture global campaign initiated by the Diplomatic Service of the European Union. Jessica speaks about her journey as a young women entrepreneur in Tanzania and explains what  the campaign meant for her as a young leader. Jessica’s activism and work focus on women and girls' economic empowerment, youth leadership and digital transformation and innovation.

Nadia and Lucija’s exchange with Jessica about UN Commission for Social Development (CSoCD) covers the important topic of creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as their discussion also focuses on decent jobs.

Episode 6 - Discovering Jessica Mshama's World - Focus on Decent Jobs

Guests: European External Action Service (EEAS) Secretary General Stefano Sannino and European Union Ambassador for Gender and Diversity Stella Ronner- Grubačić.
In this episode, Nadia and Lucija are in conversation with the two European Union high-level officials on several issues involving women’s rights. They mention International Women’s Day, Women's rights globally & EU Action, and United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women (CSW) 67, which is taking place in the UN HQ in New York from 6-17 March. The Focus of this year’s CSW is Digital. Tune in to hear more about all these topics and thoughts on how to overcome the digital and gender divide.

Ambassadors Sannino and Ronner

Episode 7 - Let's Talk About Women!

“The UN 2023 Water Conference in March must result in a bold Water Action Agenda that gives our world's lifeblood the commitment it deserves,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In the margins of the UN Water Conference, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York City from 22-24 March, this episode of EU Talks focuses on Clean Water. Water is the most basic human need. The question is, do we have a common sense of protecting it?  This EU Talks episode also covers many aspects of water beyond the Water Conference. Participant Christopher Swain, Advocate for Clean Water and Universal Human Rights, also known as Toxic Swimmer, is in conversation with European Union Youth Delegates Lucija and Nadia.

The Toxic Swimmer

Episode 8 - Toxic Swimmer

In 9th episode, the guest is Paul Siniga, speaker of the Fourth East African Youth Parliament, Tanzanian Entrepreneur, Influencer and a champion of #OurVoiceOurFuture global campaign initiated by the Diplomatic Service of the European Union. Paul speaks about the importance of Human Rights globally, youth inclusion and keeping those in power accountable. Paul also comments on the significance of the cooperation of the European Union and African Union as regional organisations. 
Nadia and Lucija’s exchange with Paul about the anniversary of Human Rights Declaration covers the important topic of what needs to happen related to this issue in the next 75 five years and beyond.

Episode 9 - Discovering Paul Siniga’s World & Human Rights!

Guests: Gerard Tuii Anapu and maybe Nathalie Gasaro, United Nations President of General Assembly (PGA) Fellows. 
This episode speaks about the importance of Oceans and its power and what should be done to protect it. Gerard is focusing on his country, beautiful Samoa, and speaks about the actions taken to protect the ocean and he environment. Natalie talks about how the ocean-issues discussions in the UN need to be  science-based and reflect the urgency of taking action.
PGA Fellow Program is ensuring that young professionals have access to diplomacy and decision making processes in the UN.

Episode 10 - Power of the Ocean

Guest: Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group.
As we are marking the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on 24 April and Europe Day on 9 May, in this episode Lucija and Nadia are exploring the meaning of the word ’multilateralism’ together with their guest Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group. They also discuss EU’s role in the multilateral world.

Episode 11 - Multilateralism with Richard Gowan, UN Director for ICG

Guest: Johanna Lichtschlag, UN Youth Delegate Germany and Hung Ly, UN Youth Delegate Finland.
Decent work is a fundamental human right and the focus of SDG 8, and yet, young people around the world continue to face significant barriers to finding and securing decent employment opportunities. The topic of this WRW episode is the issue of ensuring decent jobs for young people as a key component of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Lucija and Nadia explore this issue with their guests, also in the context of the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2023.

Episode 12 - Decent Work and UN Youth Forum

Guest: Ricardo Pineda, Director and Co-founder Sustenta Honduras, one of the largest youth-led organizations in the region working on adaptation and capacity building towards climate change. The climate conference COP28 seeks to scale up climate adaptation, and will play a key role in the UNFCCC negotiations, at the end of 2023. On issues like these, youth must have their say and play their role. Ricardo Pineda has experience on the ground in climate adaptation and capacity building, through Sustenta Honduras, one of the first youth-led organizations on climate action in the region. Nadia and Lucija are discussing with Ricardo concrete examples of climate actions, the link with protecting fundamental human rights and how multilateral organisations can foster meaningful participation of youth. 
Interviewers: The interview will be carried out by two Youth Delegates of the EU Delegation, Lucija and Nadia.

Episode 13 - Ricardo Pineda's World and Scaling up Climate Adaptation on the Way to COP28

Guest: Kryštof Stupka, Former Czech UN Youth Delegate. In the Pride month episode, Nadia focuses, with her interlocutor Kryštof Stupka, on the current outlooks of the LGBTIQ community and their acceptance in the world. Kryštof speaks about his perspective of the topic and how does his activism contribute to securing LGBTIQ rights as human rights. They also discuss how to be more engaged and supportive to the LGBTIQ community.

Episode 14 - Pride Month and the Acceptance in the World

Guest: Paul Skoczylas, Deputy Director, World Food Programme New York. More than 80 percent of the world’s most food-insecure people are being hit by extreme weather and other stresses such as land degradation and pest infestation. In 2021, climate extremes were the predominant driver for acute hunger in 8 countries, affecting 23.5 million people. The World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting hunger, is helping food insecure communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate shocks and other stresses. In this episode you will hear concrete examples of how does the World Food Programme helps and supports struggling population/communities.

Episode 15 - Scaling up Anticipatory Action to Stem the Tide of Growing Hunger

Guests: Giulia Tariello and Lukas Svana, the New EU Youth Delegates.

This episode of the Who Rules the World podcast is special. In this episode, Lucija and Nadia welcome and introduce the newly elected EU Youth Delegates and hosts of the podcast, and say goodbye to their mandate and to the podcast as its hosts. Lucija, Nadia, Giulia and Lukas speak about the EU YD program, the priorities of the new YDs, and reminisce on how it has been for the pioneers of the EU YDs program.

Episode 16 - Welcoming the New Youth Delegates

Guest: Ambassador Olof Skoog, Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations, New York.
This episode of a new season of the podcast Who Runs the World? is hosted by Giulia and Lukas, EU Youth Delegates. The special guest, the Ambassador of the European Delegation to the United Nations Olof Skoog talks about EU during UN General Assembly opening week, EU and involvement of youth in the processes and what is coming up next for him.
This episode was recorded on 29 September 2023.
For more, follow @EUatUN (X/IG) and @EUYouthDelegate (X).

Episode 17 - A Chat with EU Ambassador Olof Skoog: UN, Youth and Beyond

In this episode of the second season of the Who Rules the World? podcast, hosted by Giulia and Lukas, you will hear the impressive story of Kyrylo Demchenko, Ukrainian Youth Delegate, and how the Ukrainian youth is showing an admirable strength in the fight for common European values.

Episode 18 - Ukranian Youth and European Values

In this episode of the Who Rules the World? podcast, Lukas talks with president of the free Belorusian national youth council RADA and advisor on Youth Policy and Students to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Marharyta (Margo) Vorykhava. From January 2024 she is a member of the Advisory Council on Youth of Council of Europe. She received the award Young Woman of Europe 2O23. To mark 10 December, Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - listen to this episode to find out how is it for the Belarus youth today.

Episode 19 - Youth in Today’s Belarus: What are their Rights?

In this episode of the Who Rules the World? podcast, Lukas and Giulia talk to Laith Al Barmawi, who is a youth and social activist from Jordan. Laith has been working with local and global organizations to empower youth in the entrepreneurial and environmental sectors, in addition to his studies as an Energy Engineer. He is an active member at Global Shapers Community and is always keen on creating a positive impact in the community. He is also thrilled to be a member of Our Voice Our Future campaign by EU’s Diplomatic Service, and exchange his experience with other members from around the world. Currently, Laith is working as a Communications and Creative Content Officer at the Business Development Center (BDC) in Jordan. His passion in empowering youth led him to start his journey as a podcaster. He is now co-hosting a podcast called “In the Twenties” on Podqasti app., where he discusses everything that youth in their twenties can experience, with a special guest in each episode.

Episode 20 - Laith Al Barmawi’s World and Empowering the Youth of Jordan

In this episode of the Who Rules the World? podcast, Giulia talks with Marian Abukayo Murunga, a young woman, co-founder and executive director of the Border Hub, a women-led NGO in Kenya. Marian is also a member of EU Youth Sounding Board. You will hear about how she become and activist, about her experience in implementing projects around women, girls and young people. She speaks about her role do you have as being part of the EU Youth Sounding Board, how she encourages young people to start asserting themselves about the issues they are passionate about and what is her advice to the UN Secretary General.

Episode 21 - Young Activist and Visionary Marian Murunga: How to Encourage Youth?

EU Youth Delegates Giulia and Lukas talk with one of the youngest climate and environment activists around: Francisco Vera from Columbia. Francisco has been a climate activist since the age of six, now 14yo; he has founded and developed a network of school students implementing environment education in their schools. He has published the book “Que es el cambio climático”, now also translated into Arabic. Recently, Francisco has been appointed by UNICEF as 1st Environment & Climate Defender for LAC. Francisco speaks about his activism, reminding the audience about the #ForOurPlanet campaign that is organised by EU institutions. The campaign encourages all citizens and civil society to take action #ForOurPlanet, including tree planting, restoring mangroves, city greening and taking environmental actions at home, like turning your garden into an attractive place for pollinators.

Episode 22 - Francisco Vera’s World: The Youngest Climate Activist and Educator

In this episode Giulia and Lukas have a special guest, Helena Dalli first European Commissioner for Equality. They will discuss the priorities of United Nations second largest annual gathering – Commission on Status of Women (CSW68) with this years’ theme being “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty”; European regulations and how to achieve a Union of equality; and what does it take for us to create societies around the world where women and grils are free from violence and discrimination, to lead and thrive in society. #UnionOfequality #CSW68

Episode 23-EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli: #UnionofEquality-Empowerment of Women & Girls

n this episode, Giulia and Lukas interviewed the Trainees at the European Union Delegation Audrey Gourdein and Gijs Van Doorn. They are finding out details about their application and selection process, about their work at the Delegation, their general experience, and why they believe that it is  important to apply, reflecting on the important role of the European Union in the United Nations. This episode was recorded in October 2023.

Episode 24 - How to be a Trainee with the EU Delegation the UN in New York

In this episode, Giulia and Lukas are finding out more about President Röpke's work with youth and beyond. President Röpke has been championing youth in all his activities, setting up Youth Group inside the EESC, implementing the EU Youth Test, as well as including youth at the table when discussion topics of importance for them (i.e. EESC had a youth delegate joining our EESC Delegation to COP28). Youth was also an integral part of the Civil Society Week, which we organised only last week, outlining the demands of the civil society for the next EU leaders. The episode was recorded during the UN Commission on Status of Women in March 2024.

Episode 25-A Talk with Oliver Röpke, European Economic & Social Committee President: Youth & Beyond

In this episode Lukas and Giulia answer the questions that the followers of their social media accounts have asked. They discuss how they became EU Youth Delegates, what were/are the challenges and how does their experience feel now in comparison to their expectations before they started. Why is youth representation in the international organizations important?

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