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Jayathma Wickramanayake
@jayathmadw
She/Her. . #Time100Next. . Sri Lankan. Views expressed are my own
New York, NYun.org/youthenvoy/Joined March 2010

Jayathma Wickramanayake’s posts

My hearts in pieces seeing the terror attacks on my people in #SriLanka from a far away airport. Now is a time to be vigilant,peaceful & united. We are a resilient nation. We will get through this. How much more blood my motherland should shed though, before she deserves peace?
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Wearing a Burka/Hijab or not should be the decision of #lka Muslim woman. Not of the others. Such approaches dictating religious minorities only lead to more extremism not less. Personal opinion. Not UN.
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With all that’s happening right now my heart goes back to this perfect piece of writing by The power of this single story is only the face of suffering of million’s of Syrian people. Will it really be that far, the day we see an end to this suffering?
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Asia’s oldest democracy is being tested.Constitution & Democratic institutions are challenged.Few old men behind closed doors are deciding the country’s fate. I urge politicians in #SriLanka to respect participatory democracy. Be inclusive & transparent in resolving this crisis!
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Dispirited by the recent events in Sri Lanka. 30 years of armed conflict & little have we learnt that violence is not the solution. I call all young people to join hands to defeat extremism and communal violence. Diversity is the beauty of our motherland. Let's protect it 🇱🇰
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Arrived in Somalia 🇸🇴 this morning to join the launch of the National Youth Policy! Will be working to mobilize support + resources for the effective implementation of the policy with the Federal & State Governments, UN, International Community, Civil Society and youuuuuth🙌🏽
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Whenever I see a woman get elected to office anywhere in the world- in her own right, on her own merit- I feel chills down my spine. I grew up thinking that it’s impossible for a woman to be elected unless her husband/father/brother was a prominent politician & most likely dead.
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Trying to save the world 🌍 while trapped in the world’s largest bureaucracy- yup I’m talking about the - can be stressful😓 So we have Chloe; the UN therapy dog 🐶 who helps us stay sane! I paid her a much needed visit this morning Who doesn’t need some #puppylove 🐾 ❤️
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Words cannot say how excited all of us are for the young people of Nigeria!!! 🇳🇬 The leadership, strategy & commitment of has been a treat to watch & I am sure all young people globally are as inspired as I am! The real struggle starts now as we are #NotTooYoungToRun 👫
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Replying to @MBuhari and @NGRPresident
Today, history will be made in Africa as Nigerian President signs constitutional amendment bill reducing the age for running office #NotTooYoungToRun @ibsanusi @Julius_S_Malema @jayathmadw @PaulTArkwright @KateOsamor
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A part of me will remain in Ghana with the Kayaye girls. Their innocence & love humbled my core and their plight inspired me to fight for the Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights of women more than ever Some experiences shake you, but they also shape you- to be bigger and better.
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Still cannot fathom that I met, spoke to and shared a stage with my favorite author and one of the most badass women in the world! Somebody please pinch meeeeeee 😍🤩🙈💫🧚🏼‍♀️
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When your boss is so badass, you have no option than be badass yourself and follow her lead! Honored to serve with and be mentored by one of the most powerful women of our time - Deputy Secretary General of the
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I work alongside ⁦@antonioguterres⁩ to #LeaveNoOneBehind. We have to deliver on his vision for prevention - a world where peace reigns⁩. As a @UN woman leader, I want to leave the UN well placed to ambitiously deliver on peace, security, rights & development #GlobalGoals
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100 years since women could vote in the United States, we finally have a woman of color as Vice President. That’s elating and depressing at the same time. But one thing we know for sure is that she won’t be the last. Congratulations to President-elect Biden and VP Harris!
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Since #COVID19 I hosted/joined 50+ digital events. It breaks my heart every time a girl from Yemen or a boy from Nothern Kenya or a indigenous youth from a reservoir in the US drops out in the middle of their speech due to connectivity issues. This digital world ain’t fair💔
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On #IWD2018 I think of all the strong, resilient young women I had the honor of holding hands with. Lets keep breaking glass ceilings, smashing patriarchy, kicking down closed doors & keep rocking the boat until justice is served. Lets not settle for anything less than equality!
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Spent the afternoon with the super fantastic youth of Eastern and Southern Africa. The positive energy 👊🏽 and new ideas 💡 they bring to the is amazing beyond words! 🙌🏽 I know @OlivieradamUNV will be jealous of this photo 😜
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Not many people can say that they worked themselves out of a job. Well… my team and I are not many people. :)
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Today marks a historic moment as the UN General Assembly unanimously adopts Resolution A/76/L85 to establish a new UN Youth Office, integrating the existing work of my office 👏 This is a groundbreaking milestone to advance the @UN’s work with & for youth everywhere 🇺🇳
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Happy New Year Everyone! I hope 2020 is the year when people have feedback for me/my work they directly give it to me & not to others🙏🏽 Look forward to growing, learning, delivering to the best of my ability, pushing boundaries, breaking barriers and of course kicking butt!😎💪🏽
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Walking the talk- Starting 2020 there will be no unpaid internships in my office. A baby step to make the UN a just, fair, accessible place for ALL young people. Applications for the first 3 fellowship opportunities are open now! Apply away and be a part of my badass team 🙌🏽
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Tired of unpaid internships asking 20 years of experience, 2 doctorates and a million dollars savings account? ✅ YES ❎ NO 📣That’s why @UNYouthEnvoy is partnering with @UNVolunteers to offer you 3⃣ new paid fellowship opportunities!📣 🤗Join soon! bit.ly/2SkXkOF
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It is not easy to be a young person in the world today. From unemployment to climate change to gender inequality to mental health, there are so many issues that set us back. But you fight for your rights and your communities every day. Happy #YouthDay to all those unsung heroes!
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It's OUR DAY! 🥳🙌 Happy International #YouthDay 2020! Today, let’s celebrate young people’s role in addressing global challenges! l feel the power of youth!!! #31DaysOfYOUth
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Sofia, Kessy and I made history yesterday at the Security council. But behind us was the invisible power of fearless young peace builders who risk their lives to bring peace to their communities every single day. This one is for them 🙏🏼
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The @UNYouthEnvoy gave a powerful speech before the @UN Security Council outlining youth's contributions to peace and security worldwide. Get inspired! 📹Watch the full video here: bit.ly/2qWys1Z
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Where you come from doesn’t define who you are. Your actions do. Or your words 💁🏽 There’s only one race here 🌍 and that’s the human race!
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Racism, xenophobia & intolerance are problems prevalent in all societies. But racism stops with you & me: #FightRacism & #StandUp4HumanRights : un.org/en/letsfightra
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Trying to do the smallest things hoping it will help my country heal someway.... It hurts more not to be home at this time of grief 💔🙏🏽🇱🇰 #EasterAttackLK #EasterAttackSL #SriLankaTerrorAttack #LKA
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As our hearts bleed for #SriLanka 🇱🇰 let our generation show the world that there is no space for violence and hatred in our country anymore. No matter how many times our resilience is tested we will never give up on peace!! We will get through this. Together as one.
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Never thought I will ever be addressing the UN Security Council. Correction: Never thought I will ever be addressing the UN Security council from my living room, in my PJ bottoms 🤷‍♀️
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Did you miss my briefing to the UN Security Council this morning? No worries! @UNWebTV got you covered📺bit.ly/2KC24fd I called for 👉Flexible & accessible funding for youth-led orgs 👉Protection for young peacebuilders 👉Translation of global policy into local action
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Had the best time today Innovation lab with a bunch of young techies from across the country👩🏾‍💻👨🏽‍💻 Super impressed by their solutions for the diary industry🐄, farming techniques🌾, digital marketing📱 & even dating apps💘💓
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Arrived in The Gambia 🇬🇲 by road 🚗 and ferry 🌊 What a welcome!! 🎭 🥁🎺 Super excited for the next two days. Will be making some noise 📣 on ending FGM and investing in young people 👫. Follow through 👉🏽
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Replying to @UNFPATheGambia
. @UNYouthEnvoy @jayathmadw, just received at the #Gambia - #Senegal Border by the @UN Resident Coordinator in The #Gambia and our Representative @kunleaden, along with a colorful team of young people. #YouthEnvoyInGambia #YOUTH2030
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Who is ready to break some stereotypes and debunk some myths on #Youth4Peace 🕊on Monday at the Security Council? 🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️ @SophiaPA29
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"Only by listening to and understanding young people can we move beyond a binary understanding of motivations, trends and narratives on Youth, Peace and Security." - @UNYouthEnvoy @jayathmadw 📣#UNSC Open Debate on #Youth4Peace 🔜 23 April 👇 youth4peace.info
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If we are to realistically achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is our generation who is going to do this. We are the SDG generation. The rest of the world can try, but they can’t, or won’t, make it without young people☝🏾#Youth72
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Replying to @UNYouthEnvoy
Great summary of @UN_PGA’s #Youth72 Dialogue today 🗞 📺webtv.un.org news.un.org/en/story/2018/
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What’s happening in #srilanka breaks my heart. Our elected officials have sunk to a point so low that democratic institutions & sovereignty of the people are insulted & disrespected over & over again!! Why do we always have to choose violence over dialogue? Thuggery over respect?
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Watching parliament live on tv today, seeing Karu surrounded by cops & trying to do his job, watching goons paid for by our tax money throw furniture & chilli powder at each other & the cops - for the first time I had tears in my eyes. Shame. Disgrace. No words to describe this.
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I leave Somalia with the hope that her young people will bring a future of peace, unity and good governance. is with you & will be with you till the end of that journey 🛣🇸🇴💪🏽 Thanks @SRSGKeating @UNdeClercq for your support 🙏🏼
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"Time and time again, the young people of Somalia have proven to the world that they are resilient, that they have perseverance" 🌟 Read about @jayathmadw's mission to 🇸🇴 Somalia: bit.ly/2B0sX6g
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Tested my soccer ⚽️ 🥅 skills today during a pick up game with Mathare Girls’ Soccer Team🏃🏽‍♀️ in Nairobi 🇰🇪 Also got a “Made in Mathare” soccer jersey with my name & No 17 to indicate the #GlobalGoals What a way to end my first mission to Africa 👌
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Colleague: Jay, My mom is visiting can I introduce her to you? Me: YES of course Colleague’s Mom: Hi! Nice to meet you! <What I wanted to say>: Hi! Your daughter is very smart & hardworking! U must be very proud of her! What I said: Thanks for giving birth to your daughter!
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Always always always inspiring to learn about exceptional young people who take initiative and lead home-grown solutions. Congratulations #youngleaders. With this, we are 300 steps closer to changing the world 💪🏾
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We are thrilled to welcome the 2018 Class of #YoungLeaders! Learn more about these changemakers fighting for girls' and women's health & rights in their communities: bit.ly/2018ClassofYou
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I’m so excited for this event! NO speeches. Elders will LISTEN to young ppl & answer questions. At the end they will make commitments to advance youth mental health- which we will be holding them accountable to Are you ready ?
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Join me, @antonioguterres @DrTedros @unicefchief & HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians @MonarchieBe + young ppl from all over the 🌎 for our 9th #CopingWithCOVID Webinar - and find out how to take care of your mental health 🙌 🗓️Wed, 15 July 🕐9 AM EDT 🔗bit.ly/CwCOVID9
The flyer reads "Coping With COVID: Living in the New Normal" and "Wednesday, 15 July, 9 AM EDT". There are five people‘s portraits on the flyer, they are the United Nations SG António Guterres, World Health Organization  Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore, SDG Advocate Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.
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Wrapped up the ECOSOC Youth Forum this evening with a super positive note knowing that the 500+ young people👫200+ ministers & officials will keep being engaged to realize our ultimate goal #Youth2030 A Humongous thank you to all supported including those who contributed online💐
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Don’t know who else need to hear this, but today it gave me comfort to remember that *together* we survived: 400+ yrs of colonization 30 yrs of armed conflict Malaria,Polio & other diseases A Tsunami Religious fundamentalism +more This too shall pass #SriLanka Happy New Year🙏🏽
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Big news!!!! Also super proud to see one of the youngest female ministers in the world, a dear friend and former UN Youth Delegate of Botswana as a member of the High Level Panel 💪🏽
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Digital technology is rapidly changing our lives. The benefits are enormous and so are the challenges. The UN is a unique platform for dialogue in our digital age. I am pleased to announce the creation of a High-Level Panel on #digitalcooperation. bit.ly/2LcLP79
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As we celebrate the International Day of Vesak at the ; let’s think of the core values lord Buddha taught us. Non-violence, compassion & tolerance. The values which can heal our wounded world. Wishing a meaningful vesak to all Bhuddists & non-Buddhists around the world 🙏🏼
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Nigerian 🇳🇬 Minister of Foreign Affairs is an ardent advocate for youth 🙌🏽 We count on his support to advance the global youth agenda at the UN 💪🏽 Also glad to learn he was best friends with late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar - an exceptional son of Sri Lanka
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It was a pleasure to meet the 🇳🇬 Foreign Affairs Minister HE @GeoffreyOnyeama and discuss the importance of starting a @UN Youth Delegate Programme in Nigeria 🌟+ channeling youth voices for the Global Compact on Migration #YouthEnvoyinNigeria #PutYoungPeopleFirst
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So glad to be in the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 to join my sister Minister of to launch #HablemosDeTodoRD “Lets talk about everything” platform to break social stigma on Gender, Sexuality, Mental Health, Drug Abuse and many more taboos 👊🏽
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Conversatorio con @Jayathmadw Wickramanayake, enviada especial del Secretario General de Naciones Unidas para la Juventud. #HablemosDeTodoRD
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This morning I woke up feeling 27, thankful to all the positive vibes you sent my way in the form of flowers💐 cards📝messages💌 and calls☎️ Heres to an incredible 26 which changed my life and looking forward to another year full of hope, energy and goodness 🥂
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Let us all remember this big win for youth ✌️ and peace 🕊and roll up our sleeves to see this resolution 📃translated into action in our regions, countries 🌏 municipalities 🏢 and towns 🏘 Happy 2nd Birthday #UNSCR2250
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It's 2 years since the @UN adopted #UNSCR2250 - a ground-breaking resolution on Youth, Peace & Security recognizing #Youth4Peace's key role in building & maintaining peace ☮️ Stay tuned for updates on what's been happening since then! youth4peace.info #ACTon2550
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The desperately needs a young, innovative, energetic and diverse workforce. Join this webinar and learn more about different ways to join this incredible organization! 🙌🏽
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📢Less than ONE WEEK to go until our UN Careers LIVE! for universities and young professionals, and we are excited to announce a special guest: @UNYouthEnvoy Jayathma Wickramanayake! 📅Wed, 9 Feb 🕗8 am EST 🔗bit.ly/UNCareersLIVE #UNCareers #UNJobs #University
Less than ONE WEEK to go until our UN Careers LIVE! for universities and young professionals, and we are excited to announce a special guest: @UNYouthEnvoy Jayathma Wickramanayake!
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DR 🇩🇴 will present their #VNR to the #HLPF2018 in July. I sat down with the Minister of Economy, Planning & Development @MEPyDRD + Minister of Youth + Youth organizations 👫to explore how young people can play a 🔑 role in the process ➡️ Best part of my job 🤘🏽
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Finland 🇫🇮 is the first country to announce a National Action Plan for 2250. Very happy to be in Finland to kick start this process just 2 days after the Security Council Open Debate! Which country will be next? 🤔
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Finland is the first country to announce further development of National Action Plan on UN resolution 2250 Youth, Peace & Security. UN #ActOn2250 is where Finland has played key role from the very beginning. It's important to listen youth’s ideas & concrete actions.@UNYouthEnvoy
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