A charity worker has described her “amazing” experience as a youth delegate at the UN.

Takyiwa Danso beat hundreds of other applicants to be one of two young people to join the UK party in the UN General Meeting last week in New York.

Ms Danso, from Tottenham, said she had applied for the same chance last year unsuccessfully, and said getting there this time fulfilled a life ambition.

The 23-year-old said: “I saw the opportunity come up on Twitter, I had volunteered in the International Development Service two years ago which got me in the network. These opportunities don’t come along very often.

“I always wanted to get this sort of opportunity, I studied International Development at university with the UN in mind. When I graduated I did loads of volunteering, which helped me get a place.

“It was amazing, quite surreal. It all seemed in its own bubble, detached from the rest of reality.

“You saw all sorts of different types of people, loads of other young activists from all over the world. It was weird to be in a room with loads of different countries all with their own perspectives, I was just trying to take it all in.

“Young people don’t realise all the things the UN does for them, people need to know why they should volunteer and campaign.”

Ms Danso, a charity worker with the Al-Khair Foundation, had a packed schedule, which included speaking on a panel about gender equality in the UK, and her own experiences of discrimination.

She said: “I have never done that before, stood up and spoken in front of a room of 100 people, but it was great.

“If I could give any advice, it would be to volunteer – it sounds so simple, but if you find a cause you are passionate about, you can build from there. You should always do something, don’t just wait.

“I always wanted to get to the UN, now I’m hoping to keep getting experience and opportunities, but I’m not sure what the future holds.”