The NYC states that the Nordic countries should not just push for the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination of their own status, but also calls for the Nordic region to exert pressure on Morocco to respect human rights. Morocco occupied Western Sahara in 1975 and since then large numbers of the population have lived in refugee camps in the Algerian desert.

"This is an important issue. As long as the rest of the world closes its eyes to the Sahrawi people's situation it is easier for Morocco to continue with the occupation and breach of human rights. We in the Nordic countries are rich and have a good life, so it is important that we spend time and effort on issues outside our own borders", says Marianne Granheim Troyflat from the Nordic Centre Party Youth League.

Since the liberation movement Front Polisario declared the independence of Western Sahara, about 70 countries have recognised the country. Despite this, Morocco continues to exploit the natural resources of Western Sahara and, therefore, the Nordic Youth Council calls for the Nordic countries to search for more effective methods to put a stop to the collaboration of Nordic businesses with Morocco inside the occupied territories.

"There is general agreement amongst the youth parties in Norway to recognise Western Sahara, and the NYC is an important arena to make more people aware of the Sahrawi people's situation", says Norwegian Troyflat.

It is often referred to as one of the world's forgotten conflicts.

This year's NYC Session is marked by looking beyond the region's own borders. Development co-operation, Afghanistan and funding the reduction of climate emissions in poor countries were amongst the topics on the agenda of the Nordic Youth Council when it met in Riksdagen on 23 - 25 October.