In today’s episode, the United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake is my Guest. At the recently held Global Youth Tourism Summit in Sorrento, Jayathma implored the youth not to wait to be invited to the table but take the initiatives they feel strongly about it since it’s the surest way to effect change. She applauded the UNWTO for organizing the landmark youth summit.
Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake was appointed as the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in June 2017 at the age of 26. She is the youngest senior official in the UN and the first woman to hold this position. In this role, Jayathma works to expand the UN’s youth engagement and advocacy efforts across all four pillars of the organization’s work — sustainable development, human rights, peace and security, and humanitarian action — and serves as a representative of and advisor to the Secretary-General.
In 2019 Jayathma was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the “Time 100 Next: Rising stars shaping the future” and in 2020 she was recognized by Forbes magazine as part of its “30 under 30” list.
Originally from Sri Lanka, Ms. Wickramanayake has worked extensively on youth development and participation, including playing a key role in transforming the youth development sector in her home country.
Prior to taking up her post, Ms. Wickramanayake was instrumental in creating the movement for civic and political engagement of young people, especially young women, in Sri Lanka through the “Hashtag Generation” movement. Previously, she advocated for global youth development on an international level including as the first ever Sri Lankan Youth Delegate to the United Nations and as the youth lead negotiator and member of the International Youth Task Force of the World Conference on Youth 2014 where she played a critical role in mainstreaming youth in the Post-2015 Process and in the establishment of World Youth Skills Day.
The Unmissable Africa Travel and Tourism Summit 2021
Ghana's Kizomba Dance Couple opens up on VA Tourism Podcast
An exclusive with Namibia's Director of Tourism & Gaming Zebulun Chicalu
Sabine Lehmann unpacks SA's First Attractions Benchmark Survey Report.
Roman Krabel: From Chef to Managing leading Hotel Chains
Africa Youth in Tourism Conversations: Incorporating the Principles of Business Sustainability for Startups by Akwasi Obeng Adjei
Rwanda's Divine Uwase talks Clean and Sustainable Tourism, Digital Marketing and Entreprenuership
Talking Innovation and Tourism Education with UNWTO's Natalia Bayona
The Country Manager for Serena Hotels in Rwanda Daniel Sambai bares it all on the Tourism Podcast
Africa's Business Events Outlook; A Conversation with Industry Veteran Derek Houston
Is West Africa's Domestic and Regional Tourism Ready for take off? Dr Adun Okupe unpacks the Conundrum
Mozambique Culture and Tourism Minister Eldevina Materula talks making country an Active and visible African Tourism Player
Sherin Francis: We'll make sure restrictions do not affect visitor experience in Seychelles
CEO of AUDA-NEPAD Dr Ibrahim Mayaki opens up on Partnership Renewal with UNWTO
Marketing Manager of Accra City Hotel, Yaw Mamphey talks navigating through Covid-19 and remaining relevant to Ghana's Hospitality Industry
Road to Recovery; A Conversation with South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane
Kenya Convention Bureau launches Brand Logo and aims at becoming a Major MICE Destination in Africa
President of SITE Africa, Tes Proos looks at Africa's readiness for Incentive Travel
An Exclusive with CEO of Namibia Airport Company, Bisey Uirab
The Seychelles Gastronomy Story with Flavien Joubert
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad
Travel with Rick Steves
Frequent Miler on the Air