Oluwaseun Ikusika
Franco & British Council Local Leader, Global Youth Ambassador, Theirworld | UK / NIGERIA
Short Bio: Ms. Oluwaseun Ikusika is a Nigerian British family lawyer, Franco-British Council Local Leader, United Nations contributor, Global Youth Ambassador and a strong advocate for gender and disability rights. She serves as a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld, a charity dedicated to promoting children’s rights and education. Additionally, she is an ambassador for SpeakUpNowUK, an organization that advocates against racism, discrimination, and sexism in the workplace. Her impactful work spans Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and North America, earning her certifications from various UN bodies.
Event: SDGs Conference 2025
Date: September 24, 2025
SPEECH: I am honored to share my contributions not just as a youth leader but as one of millions of young people worldwide who are calling for real, lasting change in how we are included in governance and global decision-making. Right now, the trust between youth and institutions is breaking down. Many young people feel ignored, excluded, and tokenized in spaces where critical decisions are made. And yet we are among the most affected by these decisions. Whether it’s climate change, conflict, digital rights, or economic insecurity, our futures are on the line.
Let me be clear: I am not saying that youth are disengaged, we are not, but we are dissatisfied, we are disappointed, and unhappy. Regardless, we are still organizing, protesting building communities, launching movements, and shaping new ideas of leadership every single day. But too often, those in power still see us as “future stakeholders” rather than as equal partners today. We do not want a seat at the table just for show. We do not just want to attend conferences and take pictures. We want influence, we want accountability, we want change, and we want to open the door that has been historically closed.
So, how do we rebuild the trust?
- Firstly, youth participation needs to be real, not symbolic. This means establishing youth councils that truly influence decision-making processes. We urgently need Participatory budgeting where young people help allocate public funds for projects in education, climate action, and even in digital innovation. For example, in Scotland, France, and many European cities, participatory budgeting has already shown success. So, imagine scaling that up globally. We also need youth representatives to contribute to shaping the agendas, and this will also require governments that are willing to listen and act.
- Secondly, youths need investment; we need funding. We have been calling for this forever, but only little progress has been made. Youths need funding not just in programs, but in leadership, in capacity, and in civic space, especially for the marginalized youth, those in conflict zones, and those too often left out.
- And finally, multilateralism must progress. The UN and other global bodies need to speak our language. They need to speak it digitally, accessibly, and transparently. We need to see the impact of our voices, not just be invited to speak. This is not about charity; it is about democracy, it is about justice, and it is about making the systems we inherited better than how we found them.
The best way to regain youth trust is to earn it and we are ready to work with you to build a future that is not just inclusive but equitable, representative, and sustainable. Trust is not rebuilt overnight. It is earned. It is earned through inclusion, consistency, and courage.
To the institutions: Do not just invite young people to the table; share the table with us.
To the governments: Do not fear youth power, embrace it. It is what we need; it is the antidote to stagnation and opposition.
To the young people: You are not just the voice of tomorrow, you are the integrity of today. Demand accountability, organize boldly, collaborate across borders, shape the systems you want to inherit. Because when youth trust governance, democracy becomes stronger. When youth shape multilateralism, the world becomes more just. When we do it together, we will build a future that is not only inclusive but unstoppable. So, keep pushing. Keep organizing. Keep imagining. Because a more inclusive, just, and peaceful multilateral world is not only possible, but also necessary. And it begins with me; it begins with you. It begins with all of us.