Athlone's Natasha appointed as UN Youth Delegate
A talented young woman who came to Ireland from Zimbabwe as a child refugee, and lived with her mother in direct provision in Athlone, has been chosen as one of two United Nations youth delegates.
Natasha Maimba had already made her mark on the international stage by serving as a UNICEF Ireland Youth Ambassador since she was 13 years of age.
She also took part in the powerful RTE television documentary 'Leaving Limbo', along with her friend and fellow former resident of the Lissywoollen direct provision centre, Minahil Sarfraz.
The 2019 documentary focused on Natasha and Minahil's Leaving Cert year in Athlone's Our Lady's Bower.
The articulate 22-year old's latest appointment as a UN Youth Delegate will see her working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Irish Aid, and the National Youth Council of Ireland throughout her year in office.
Natasha is one of two UN Youth Delegates to be appointed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michéal Martin, alongside Lauren Jones Brennan from Dublin.
The holder of a BA in Civil Law from DCU, and currently a Masters' student at King's College London, in international finance and commercial law, Natasha Maimba spoke of her delight this week at being chosen as one of two UN Youth Delegates for the coming year.
The local woman said she aims to bring attention to the “the core value of treating others with the same respect and care that we would want for ourselves” in her UN role.
“As a migrant in Ireland, I am honoured to embrace and represent the welcoming spirit and generosity that defines this country,” she said, “and being able to stand on the international stage as a UN Youth Delegate is a testament to Ireland's commitment to inclusivity, where people of all creeds, cultures, and backgrounds can call this place home.”
Since coming to Ireland, the young Athlone woman said her advocacy for migrant rights and gender equality had been shaped by “both successes and challenges”, but, despite this, her commitment to uniting and uplifting communities “remains steadfast.”
Natasha feels that, by emphasising “peacebuilding, hope, and collective action” as a UN Youth Delegate, she can address the injustices than many people face on a daily basis.
“My goal is to create spaces that inspire hope and empower more young people to actively engage in political and humanitarian efforts, both at home and globally,” she said.
* For more, see next week's Westmeath Independent