Youth Civic Services at the United Nations | World Oceans Day & ECOSOC Youth Forum

Hudson Yang, Co-Founder of Youth Civic Services (YCS), represented the youth-led nonprofit at two pivotal international forums hosted at United Nations Headquarters: the 2024 World Oceans Day Conference and the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum. His participation underscored YCS’s growing role in advancing youth-driven contributions to global sustainability and civic engagement.

These two high-level meetings convened at UN Headquarters in New York brought together youth delegates, global policymakers, civil society organizations, and sustainability experts from around the world. Topics ranged from climate resilience and ocean protection to gender equity, social inclusion, and youth engagement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

World Oceans Day, held on June 7, 2024, served as a platform to raise international awareness about marine conservation and the critical importance of protecting our oceans. The event spotlighted the contributions of youth in advancing sustainable marine policies and called for increased collaboration across sectors to ensure the health of ocean ecosystems.

The ECOSOC Youth Forum, hosted from April 15–17, 2025, is the UN’s most prominent youth engagement platform. Under the theme “Youth at the forefront: Leveraging science and social inclusion for sustainable development”, the forum enabled young leaders to contribute to policy dialogue and share innovative solutions aligned with SDGs 3 (Good Health & Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 14 (Life Below Water), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

At the heart of these international engagements is YCS’s core belief: when young people are given the right tools, guidance, and opportunities, they can lead powerful, lasting change.

Through hands-on service, leadership development, and a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility, Youth Civic Services inspires young people to rise as leaders, changemakers, and stewards of a better tomorrow.