Key points
- 01 Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni is Sweden's Ambassador for Human Rights and Democracy, acting as both a policy adviser and a field diplomat operating worldwide.
- 02 Her commitment was sparked by a visit to Gambia at age 14, then deepened through her years at the UN and her diplomatic career representing Sweden on the world stage.
- 03 She challenges privileged, middle-aged adults to step up, arguing it is unfair to place the entire burden of defending democracy on young people's shoulders.
As a public servant you inform your politicians: giving them as much info as possible, for them to make a decision. As a diplomat in the field it's about finding contacts and opportunities, to find local partners allowing Sweden to act positively.
My mother took me to Gambia when I was 14, and I was struck by to poverty and how unfair it was. I did not know how to fight for justice, but then I joined the UN and what we were doing felt important. I then became a diplomat, and I was glad because Sweden was a country making a difference in the world, it also felt useful.
I would say the youths, but it is also so unfair to put that weight on their shoulders, it's unfair that it has to be their responsibility; middle-aged privileged people should actually step in.
« My mother took me to Gambia when I was 14, and I was struck by to poverty and how unfair it was. I did not know how to fight for justice, but then I joined the UN and what we were doing felt important. »
Inspiring standpoints by Irina Shoulgin-Nyoni / Interviewed by Fondemos.
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