Mbabane – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) this morning hosted a graduation ceremony at the UN House in Mbabane for its student ambassadors, recognising their work in promoting sustainable development and climate action across Eswatini.
The ambassadors, who completed their programme this year, were celebrated for driving youth-led initiatives that connected classrooms, communities and policymakers. Their projects included radio discussions on UNESWA FM about public health, sovereignty and sustainable development, as well as contributing to policy consultations through the #WeBelongAfrica initiative. Their participation influenced Eswatini’s Voluntary National Review by ensuring that marginalised voices were considered.
UNDP’s Officer-in-Charge of the Office of Human Resources, Ane Katrine Havsteen, commended the ambassadors for their courage, creativity and determination. She said Eswatini’s youth are already shaping national dialogue and contributing to community action.
The programme placed strong attention on environmental stewardship. At a UN public engagement breakfast, the ambassadors echoed the call by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for urgent climate action, stressing the role of mentorship, green skills and youth entrepreneurship in creating a sustainable future for Eswatini.
As part of their field visits, the ambassadors toured youth enterprises such as Sibongile Beverages, where they observed how kombucha production is being used to demonstrate resilience, sustainability and economic empowerment.
The graduation ceremony also recognised the mentorship provided by UNDP Eswatini, led by Resident Representative Henrik Franklin, and support from the UNDP team in Copenhagen, including Yuanzhi Li. Havsteen also spoke of the UN Pact for the Future, noting the importance of rejuvenating the UN workforce through young leaders such as those in Eswatini.
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