As the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum begins in New York from 15–17 April, Hein (Ray) Oo returns to the global stage for the third year running. Over three days, he’ll share insights from a decade in international development — shaped by grassroots action, global partnerships, and a passion for youth leadership.
Now serving as City-wide Data Officer for the YMCA of Greater New York, USA, Ray supports more than 5,000 immigrant families through the YMCA’s New Americans Initiative. He’s a firm believer in Meaningful Work and in inspiring young people to lead, as leadership, he says, is about authenticity, not polish, and having a clear vision for something better.
We caught up with Ray ahead of a big week at the United Nations.
What’s your role at this year’s ECOSOC Youth Forum?
On 15 April, I’m speaking at a side event on the invitation of Generation Unlimited. On 16 April, I’ll speak again on youth employment and empowerment, and I’ll be attending a Ministerial Breakfast hosted by the UN Youth Office at UNHQ to address policy and action issues. On 17 April, I’ll participate in a side event focused on youth centrality, organized by the Global Partnership for Education and the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
I’ll also attend the main Forum all three days and intervene from the floor as appropriate.
Can you share a little about your background?Â
I’ve worked in the international development space focusing on peace, sustainability, and human rights for over a decade. My journey began in Myanmar (Burma) in 2014, doing grassroots fundraising for a nationally recognised monastic educational institution called Pan Pyo Latt. After the military coup in 2021, I relocated to the U.S. as a refugee.
I have been with YMCA’s New Americans Initiative (NAI) as City-wide Data Officer for two years, supporting immigrant families in New York City with trauma-informed services, resources, and learning opportunities.
What message are you most excited to share at the Forum?
Since it’s my third year, I have a good sense of its rhythm and impact and the theme of science- and evidence-based solutions with a focus on leaving no one behind resonates deeply with my work.
I’ll be focusing on two key messages:
- Workforce development: addressing unemployment, underemployment, entrepreneurship, green jobs, and improving work conditions
- Strengthening partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): especially around finance, technology, and capacity-building
I’ll also be highlighting the work of the World YMCA, building youth-led networks, engaging multi-stakeholders and leveraging digital communication.
How has your YMCA experience shaped your perspective on the SDGs?
The United Nations has its 2030 Agenda with 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and at the YMCA, we have Vision 2030. These two frameworks overlap in many thematic areas.
In my current role, I see this alignment firsthand. Two of our sites, Chinatown Y in Manhattan and Flushing Y in Queens, are fully dedicated to workforce development, while all other NAI branches integrate it as a core component. This directly supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Which SDG reviewed this year feels most personal or urgent to you?
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth feels particularly urgent because of the changing global economic landscape and rising inequality. Informal employment still accounts for nearly 60% of the global workforce. For young people, the numbers are even more extreme.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals are equally critical. No single sector or actor can address these systemic challenges alone.
What kind of change do you hope your voice can inspire?
I want to see global partnerships shift from transactional to transformational, centered on co-creation.
At a policy level, I hope my voice pushes for more equitable investments in workforce development, especially for young people, women, migrants, and other marginalized groups.
At a systems level, I want to encourage rethinking partnerships by elevating grassroots expertise in global conversations and holding institutions accountable.
At a personal level, I want my work to show others, especially young changemakers from underrepresented groups, that your voice matters, even if it’s not the loudest in the room.
How can other young people get involved?
We are digital natives, and that gives our generation a unique edge. One of the best ways to get involved is by tapping into global movements through online platforms if you cannot attend in person. For instance, the ECOSOC Youth Forum and many of its side events are livestreamed. So tune in, engage, and share your thoughts.
If you’re looking to engage through the YMCA, there are plenty of opportunities too.
What do you hope to bring back to your YMCA community?
I hope to bring back new ideas, connections, and momentum. I want to amplify the stories and solutions I hear and spark conversations across the Y. Most importantly, I want to remind our young people and communities that they are central to the SDG movement – not just as beneficiaries, but as co-leaders and co-designers of a more just, sustainable future.