UNYAP Newsletter #20: March

Welcome back to the March edition of our monthly newsletter!

Meet Our Newest Members Onboard!

• B. Amar-Otgon
  Staff Assistant in International Tax and Transfer Pricing Services at Ernst & Young TMZ LLC, with a major in Finance Management.
• M. Anujin
  Senior Student at Tomujin Alternative School.
• M. Irmuun
  Student at the University of Cincinnati.
• A. Jamiyansuren
  Senior Undergraduate Medical Student at Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences and Founder & Head of the “Development Accelerator of Health Professionals” NGO.
• B. Lkhagvajargal
  Legal Associate at Dunnaran & Partners LLP.
• O. Unurbileg
  Senior Undergraduate Medical Student at Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences and aspiring Medical Doctor.

UNYAP Welcomes Visiting Columbia University Students for Renewable Energy Dialogue

Youth Roundtable Discussion

UNYAP hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Youth Powering Change: Mongolia’s Transition to Renewable Energy.”

The event was a collaborative effort between the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) and students from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), focusing on researching Mongolia’s renewable energy potential. The roundtable featured participants from the UN RCO in Mongolia and the Columbia University SIPA team, and brought together students and young activists from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology, Teen Parliament, the Mongolian Children’s Council, and more.

The young participants delved into critical discussions about Mongolia’s current energy landscape and the journey toward renewable energy adoption. The feasibility and impact of implementing solar panels in Mongolia were presented, and participants also shed light on Mongolia’s geographical, political as well as economic influences, and the importance of shifting mindsets towards a sustainable future.

The “Youth Powering Change” roundtable served as a powerful platform for youth to discuss the future of Mongolia’s energy. It provided an opportunity to voice their ideas and hopes, and the challenges Mongolia might face in developing a sustainable future.

Columbia University and the Mongolian University of Science and Technology

UNYAP also organized a bilateral meeting where the students of SIPA at Columbia University and students from the School of Power Engineering at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology exchanged their views on Mongolia’s transition to renewable energy.

The meeting focused on addressing the challenges encountered in the development and installation of renewable energy solutions. Practical solutions to overcome these obstacles were discussed, along with the exchange of opinions and experiences. The discussion also identified which population groups would benefit most from these initiatives.

These discussions not only benefited the participants but also laid a path of hope for the entire nation, which UNYAP is grateful to have been a part of.

UNYAP, YOUTHinc, and Tavan Bogd Solutions Towards Sustainability

UNYAP Coordinator B. Naranzaya offered insights during a training session hosted by Tavan Bogd Solutions LLC and YOUTHinc.mn (Young Mongolian Professionals Association) titled “Getting to Know the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the session provided a detailed understanding of the SDGs, reflected on Mongolia’s achievements, and amplified the voices of youth. The event sparked discussions about future joint activities aimed at boosting the meaningful involvement of young people, including initiatives for decent employment.

UNYAP would like to extend our gratitude to YOUTHinc.mn for organizing the training together. It was also a pleasure to cooperate with Tavan Bogd Solutions, a company aiming to work towards sustainability.

UNDP on Empowering Transparency

UNYAP participated in a workshop under UNDP’s “SDG Aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia” initiative, focusing on enhancing journalists’ and media specialists’ abilities to accurately analyze and report on state budgeting. The workshop advanced media professionals’ knowledge of transparency, accountability, and public awareness of budgetary processes, marking a significant step towards a successful system-wide reform. UNYAP is proud to have been a part of this transformative workshop, reinforcing our commitment to meaningful and impactful participation towards sustainability.

UNYAP Victorious in Youth Ideathon 2024

Our member, M.Khuvizaya, secured first place at the “Youth Ideathon 2024,” a competitive programme aimed at empowering the youth of Mongolia with knowledge on result-oriented budgeting and oversight. This event was part of UNDP’s European Union-funded “SDG Aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia” project and executed in collaboration with YOUTHinc.mn (Young Mongolian Professionals Association).

Khuvizaya and team proposed “Yasan be?”, an innovative project pitch designed to enhance public engagement in budget oversight by adding a new feature on the E-Mongolia web platform. Their idea, focused on making budget oversight more accessible and fostering transparency and accountability, impressed the judges, earning them first place.

We are proud of our member M.Khuvizaya for championing the transparent and efficient utilization of public funds, crucial for a sustainable future.

UNYAP looks forward to sharing more updates in the next newsletter. In the meantime, consider subscribing!