The high-level meeting on Africa’s development needs will take place at United Nations headquarters in New York on 22 September 2008. The theme of the meeting is: “Africa’s development needs: state of implementation of various commitments, challenges and the way forward.” The meeting takes place at a time of both promise and challenge for the continent. While on the one hand many African countries have shown strong GDP growth and progress on the MDGs over the last few years, rising world prices for food and oil, climate change and intractable conflict threaten to reverse these gains. The high-level meeting provides an opportunity for world leaders to come together to renew their commitments to Africa’s development and focus attention on how to address the challenges.

Hey Elizabeth, tell us about yourself.

My name is Elizabeth Shaw and a 24 year old Australian Youth Delegate for 2008. I have recently finished degrees in Law and Arts, and have been working as a legal assistant to the State Solicitor for Western Australia. I have had a lot of experience in youth advocacy and representation, having served as the Chair of the City of Perth Youth Advisory Council, the President of the UWA Law Students’ Society, the Editor of the UWA Student Newspaper Pelican, and as an Editor of the UWA Law Review. I am particularly passionate about youth participation, social inclusion, the advancement of women, the role of the media and closing the gap in indigenous health and education.

How were you selected as a youth delegate for your country?