Gonzalo López-Cuevas, Founding President of Cancer Warriors of Mexico, Treasurer at Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Ten years ago, I had the honor of representing Mexico at UNESCO’s Youth and its Impact Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
From the intersection of law, public policy, and multilateral cooperation, I have always believed that well-prepared and committed young professionals can step into global spaces where our voices are not only heard, but where we can responsibly represent the needs of the most vulnerable and help drive meaningful change.
Participating in international forums is never only about individual presence. It is about bringing the realities of our countries and regions to the table, strengthening cooperation among nations, and ensuring that global decisions are shaped through a lens of equity, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
In my view, five elements are essential for young professionals to occupy key positions in these spaces:
- Institutional seriousness and maturity: understanding the responsibility of the space one occupies and representing our countries and communities with respect and integrity.
- Continuous preparation: remaining intellectually and professionally up to date in a rapidly evolving global environment where ideas, policies, and priorities constantly shift.
- A multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach: cultivating knowledge across different fields to engage in informed dialogue and contribute to comprehensive solutions.
- Deep understanding of national, regional, and global realities: connecting local needs with international agendas to ensure that participation translates into real impact.
- Bridge-building capacity: recognizing multilateralism as a space for collaboration, where young leaders can help connect sectors, regions, and generations in pursuit of shared goals.
Grateful for the journey that has allowed me to contribute, learn, and continue working alongside colleagues from around the world – bringing a legal, public policy and financial perspective – toward global health and development efforts that are increasingly inclusive and collaborative.”
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