The Moments that Changed My Perspective: Catherine’s Reflection on CSW70
Written by Catherine Dong on March 29, 2026
My name is Catherine Dong, a Political Science student at McGill University, and I had the honour of representing MYAD at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). As a young feminist, it was an honour to represent women, youth and civil society at the largest annual UN gathering on gender equality.
If We Can’t Agree on Words
Written by Sofía Ugarte on March 29, 2026
Throughout my involvement at MYAD for the past two years, my main focus has been on negotiations for CSW69 and 70. With the rise of the anti-rights movement and global backsliding of women’s rights, I knew more or less that there would be strong backlash at the commission, though I hadn’t realized just how explicit that would be.
Norah’s Blog: The Three Biggest Highlights of CSocD64
Written by Norah Nehme on March 2, 2026
In the first week of February, 2026, eight of my fellow delegates and I hopped on a bus to New York City, in order to attend the United Nations ECOSOC’s 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development. My name is Norah Nehme, and in honour of this incredible experience, I wanted to share the three biggest highlights of my trip as a MYAD delegate!
What does MYAD really do? Laia’s reflections on the UN CSocD and Tax Convention
Written by Laia Charles Saigne on March 2, 2026
Last February, ten MYAD delegates attended the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development and the United Nations Tax Convention -- an exciting milestone for our delegation. We arrived at the UN Headquarters with one clear mission: pushing for progressive, youth-inclusive policies at the UN.
My name is Laia Charles Saigne, and because people are often confused about what MYAD actually does, I decided to write this blog post to make our work more accessible and transparent. This year, I serve as Ad-Hoc Officer, leading two ad-hoc teams focused on international taxation and agrifood systems, while also participating as a CSocD delegate.
MYAD at the 2025 HLPF
Written by Lawrence Plastina on July 30, 2025
As part of my work as a Negotiations Officer for MYAD, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), held at the UN Headquarters in New York, along with my fellow Negotiations Officer, Luca DeRome. Let me tell you about our time there!
Picture description: Lawrence Plastina (pictured on the right) and Luca DeRome (on the left) in front of the “Knotted Gun” Statue, also known as Non-Violence
A Day at CSocD63: Reflections from the MYAD Delegation
What does a day at the United Nations really look like for a youth delegate? In this blog post, members of the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation (MYAD) journal their day-to-day experiences attending the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63). From early morning briefings to thought-provoking side events and high-level dialogues, we offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the fast-paced, inspiring, and often overwhelming world of international diplomacy.
Each journal entry captures a unique perspective, highlighting the issues that resonated most deeply with us, the moments of connection and solidarity we experienced, and the lessons we’re bringing back to our communities. Whether you're curious about what it's like to attend a UN conference, or you’re interested in youth-led advocacy at the global level, we invite you to step into our shoes and relive one day through our eyes.
Empowering young Voices and Shaping Global Policy on International Youth Day
In this blog post for Population Matters, Victoria Forte, Branding Officer for the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation (MYAD), commemorates International Youth Day by highlighting MYAD's efforts to amplify youth voices in global policymaking. The article delves into the organization's pivotal role since gaining special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and explores the critical importance of inclusive and informed policymaking. Victoria also emphazises MYAD's commitment to bridging the generational divide through intergenerational dialogue and dispelling misconceptions about youth activism.