What is the position about? Visser explains: `The UN youth representative is elected for one year. Since there's no salary and it takes up to 60 hours a week, this is quite tough, but I think the non-material things you get in return are worth all the effort. We are responsible for being the voice of young people, not only in Holland but of all those without a voice in the general assembly of the UN. Policy makers look to the YR when they're working on issues that have to do with young people. On this side of the Atlantic, the YR will mostly focus on organizing youth projects in Holland. I see this as supporting youth initiatives by giving them a legal voice and bringing people together. I've already met some really idealistic people working in Sudan, Uganda, and other countries that I could really help as a UN representative.'
The race comes to a close this week and Visser is fighting to be one of the last three candidates. `It is quite the competition! Of all the people that applied, six were chosen by a jury (with a politician, an actor, and two UN officials) to start a campaign in Holland. We all studied something international (law, development studies, business) and five of us have traveled the world. I was amazed by the quality of all of the candidates and wouldn't mind losing to any of them: I trust them all as my representative.' Visser was especially inspired to apply for the position by UT associate professor of technology and sustainable development Joy Clancy: `She is the woman I will thank first if I succeed. She has been my teacher for almost a year, giving me a complete new perspective of the world. She introduced me to her work (in renewable energy use in developing countries) and taught me so much about international issues that I was able to get this far in the elections.'
`I've always been interested in international issues. Swimming 31 lanes for a WWF fund raiser when I was nine years old is an early memory, but I guess it really started with September 11, 2001, when I realized that the world we live in was really sick. The complete lack of respect of some countries for other cultures, the fact that one nation can bomb another without the UN doing anything, the state of fear so many people live in... It just makes me angry at times. Now I try to use all this energy in a positive way. I don't know if I would call it "interest" that brought me here. It's more a feeling I have, that with everything I get for free from just by being born in the right place, I should try everything I can to give other - less advantaged - people the same. I believe in equity between all people, freedom for everyone and unconditional peace. These are worth living and working for, and that's what stimulates me as a person.'
Whether or not he is ultimately successful, Visser plans to use this experience to find some path in international work: `I don't see YR as a goal, but as a road to something bigger. I don't know what the future will bring me, but what I hope to achieve as UN youth representative is making young people all over the world aware that their voices are special and should be heard. I think I would try to use my contacts to increase the number of people all over the world working together towards a better tomorrow. If I can inspire just one person to take on a similar challenge in the next year, especially in a currently unrepresented country, I would be very satisfied. No one person can achieve a better world for all, for that we need to work together.'
To vote for Jasper Visser, go to http://www.jaspernaardevn.nl/
Jasper Visser visiting a school project for girls in India, 2005.
