New Haven Team in UN Associate Organization

by Manuel Camacho, City of New Haven Peace Commissioner

The United States is now being represented internationally by a team of young people who are engaged in their communities in various ways. Manuel Camacho from New Haven, CT, leads this new team as the U.S. Representative in a larger entity known as the International Federation of Young Citizens. The IFYC is an associate member of the United Nations and engages with local, national, and international institutions. The Federation has teams of young people from over 13 countries, each one titled ActualiTeam(name of town/city in country). For more information on the Federation and its mission, you can visit their website at https://fijc.org/ to learn more about it.

The newly accredited U.S. team titled ActualiTeamNewHaven is currently comprised of 5 members: Manuel Camacho (City of New Haven Peace Commissioner/Vice President of SCSU College Democrats), Adrian Huq (Co-founder of New Haven Youth Climate Movement/Board Member of Sustainable CT), Mark De Lima (Member on Easton, Connecticut’s Commission for the Aging/Current Medical Student), Anthony Fiore (Treasurer of Southern Connecticut State University College Democrats), and Jacqueline Lorthe (City of New Haven Peace Commissioner).

Since its accreditation on Jan. 8, 2026, the team has voted on and proposed language amendments to official proposed international statements/stances regarding the U.S.’s operation in Venezuela and the current state of Gaza. The team has participated in the United Nations’ recent Call for Input on Climate Financing and Human Rights. There is an upcoming Civic Town Hall to be hosted by the UN at its headquarters in New York, towards the end of January, where the team will be attending a discussion with Her Emissary Annalena Baerbock (President of the UN General Assembly). The topic of the town hall: a discussion on how civic societies will contribute to protecting the principles of the United Nations and engaging in the broader reform of the Organization to modernize and make it fit for the 21st century.

This is just the beginning, as the team has much to navigate through as they engage in international dialogue during such uncertain times for the United States, both domestically and internationally. However, these young people are willing to represent the best and most positive parts that their country still has.