Youth Engagement in Global Issues: Insights from Ambassador Christopher Lu

By Audrey Li

On the eve of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Together Towards Tomorrow sat down with Mr. Christopher Lu, United States Ambassador to the United Nations for Management and Reform, to discuss the United Nations’ (UN) progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how youth can contribute to making the world a better place.

In the interview, Ambassador Lu shed light on some of the world's most pressing challenges and offered advice on how youth can become involved in addressing these global challenges. He said that "everything is a youth issue," emphasizing the interconnected nature of global matters and the importance of youth engagement.

Memorable Moments in Public Service

Mr. Lu has extensive public service experience, having served in all three branches of the federal government. Reflecting on his time working for President Obama, Ambassador Lu shared one of his fondest memories: "My most memorable is probably my very first day in the White House" on January 20, 2009. Having known President Obama since law school, he described the gravity and honor of working in the nation's highest office and how the presidency has changed his relationship with President Obama. “We were friends. We were very casual when we were with each other, but all that informality goes out the window the minute he becomes the President of the United States.”

The Intersection of Youth and Global Challenges

Now serving as a United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Lu emphasized that young people are both at the forefront of solving global issues and often the most affected by them. "Young people are the ones who are going to solve the most pressing issues facing the world," he stated, highlighting areas such as peace and security, human rights, and climate change.

He further noted, "When you have poverty, when you have human rights abuses, when you have war, young people are first and foremost the victims." This underscores the necessity of involving youth perspectives in the decision-making processes at the United Nations and other international organizations.

When asked about the issue most pertinent to youth, Ambassador Lu stressed that climate change is the foremost concern. "It's the most important issue facing the world at this point, and it's the one that will most affect your generation," he said, warning that while the impacts of climate change are already beginning to unfold, the full effects will be felt the most in the coming decades.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) also has implications for young people. Ambassador Lu observed, "AI is going to be a powerful influence on all of your lives." While AI offers many opportunities, it also brings significant challenges, particularly in terms of misinformation and inequality. Noting that "30% of the global population still lacks regular internet access," Ambassador Lu warned such inequality often affects learning in communities where youth face the digital divide. “AI can help reduce inequalities, but it also has the potential to widen them," he said, underscoring the importance of ensuring fair access to digital tools and technology.

Engaging Youth in Global Processes

“If you look at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, in some sense all 17 are youth issues as well,” said Ambassador Lu. Because youth are often most impacted by the UN’s programs to advance these SDGs, it is important to ensure that young people's voices are heard in international discussions.

Ambassador Lu acknowledged the difficulties involved. "It's challenging because international organizations are run by people that are my age." Nevertheless, he emphasized that youth must identify opportunities to participate in the discussion of these issues at the UN. “The UN is a unique institution that brings not just countries together to have these conversations but also civil society and the private sector. We need everyone at the table in order to solve problems.” He said young people should learn about and engage with the UN because “it's the only organization in the world that has the convening power to bring together people to solve big challenges.”

While the United States has an envoy for global youth issues inside the Department of State, it does not have a dedicated ministerial position in the government to work exclusively on youth issues. On the topic of creating a youth minister position within the U.S. government, Ambassador Lu shared his perspective: "It would be an interesting way to lift up government policies targeted at young people." He noted that some countries around the world have already established such roles, which offer a useful pathway for greater youth involvement in national and global policymaking.

(Left to right) Audrey Li, Executive Director; Amelia Cho, Deputy Director; Cristopher Lu, United States Ambassador to United Nations

Advice for Young Advocates

Wrapping up our conversation, Ambassador Lu offered valuable advice for young people aspiring to become advocates for change. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the issues and developing strong communication skills. "If you want to be an advocate, you're going to have to convince somebody of what you want," he noted.

He further stressed the need for perseverance, stating, "All change is hard. It just takes time, and you have to be willing to stick with it even when it gets hard." This message served as a reminder that while the journey toward change may be difficult, youth have the power to drive meaningful impact on both local and global scales.

Besides strong communication skills and perseverance, Ambassador Lu offered additional career advice for youth.

First, pursue your passion. “My passion is public service, and there's frankly been nothing more rewarding than working in the government trying to help people,” Ambassador Lu said. “Follow your passion – that is the first thing.”

Second, take risks. “I've certainly taken risks with my career. I've pursued opportunities and I've been very strategic in looking for ways to keep growing professionally,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of having a good mentor who can provide invaluable career guidance.

Finally, have fun. Despite having some hard days at work, Ambassador Lu said that he “genuinely loves coming to work every single day. I find this fun.”

Ambassador Lu reflected on his public service experience, underscoring how change is often incremental and the result of persistent efforts by many individuals over time. He cited his work advocating for wheelchair accessibility at the United Nations, a project that took over two years to accomplish: "For 78 years, someone in a wheelchair could not address the countries of the world the same way that someone standing could. And that will change starting today." This example underscored his belief that "change takes time" and often involves small, persistent efforts that build toward larger societal shifts.

In his final words of encouragement to young people, Ambassador Lu added that youth should be getting engaged, advocating, and being persistent.

He adds, “Maybe you won't see the difference immediately, but you're part of the long process of people pushing, and it will eventually make a difference.”

Audrey Li is the Founder and Executive Director of Together Towards Tomorrow, a 501(c)(3) organization in Falls Church, Virginia.