It’s been a challenging and rewarding experience. I feel we have a powerful document to present to governments and NGOs alike, but most of all it’s great that there are so many engaged and active young people in the world.

Currently, the youth movement is off the radar of policy-makers and the media. Within the United Nations and at NGOs like Oxfam, recognition of the contribution youth can make has begun but this is far from the norm. The time for greater youth involvement at all levels of development is now.

On the final day of the Congress we travelled to the Scottish Parliament with the policy document and presented it to the first minister for Scotland. All delegates have committed to presenting it to as many policy-makers as possible. Now we must see if governments and civil society take heed of our words.

We in the Youth Board will be telling Oxfam what young people need. Help us to get it right. Post your thoughts on the Generation Why blog. Use our links to chat and learn from other young people around the world. You’re not alone – speak up and make the case not just for a more equitable world, but for a world in which all sections of society are valued and utilised to their full potential.

The theme of the Congress was ‘Be The Change’: it is now up to the 600 delegates to hold true to that call and inspire others to do the same.

Gathered in Stirling were some of the most dedicated and active young people on this planet. At times I felt inferior, but more often I felt inspired to do more – “to be the change I seek in the world”. It is difficult to envisage a better environment than a diverse collection of politically engaged young people.

Within the confines of Stirling University, somewhat closed off from the world, it was easy to be swept along by the potential of the Congress and its delegates. We were there to build alliances, to learn and share, and to create a document representative of all delegates and the global movement towards greater participation of youth at all levels.

As a member of the Policy Document Committee, I heard from passionate and inspiring individuals from Africa to Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Five days of working day and night was a baptism of fire in policy drafting, but I have learnt so much. It’s great to see that young people are not apathetic – they are active, and when they’re not they’re simply not engaged.

Yet the Congress was more than the documents we created. We were really able to share ideas and beliefs. My Ethiopian colleague said it best when he concluded, “It’s not the documents which will determine the success of the Congress. They will not change the world in one sweep. What is important are the friendships and alliances we have made. These we will take with us and remember long after the specifics of that document fade away.

It is true there are some question marks over the ability of such conferences to create tangible change in the world, but I cannot but feel privileged to have been part of such a gathering. I still carry my hope for a brighter future with the young leaders of today and tomorrow and am sure adults will be forced to hear our voice.