Peter goes behind scenes at the UN

The 16-year-old travelled with a group of 320 young people from over 100 countries to visit some of the most powerful institutions in the world.

They visited the US State Department, headed by Hilary Clinton, the World Bank and an evening at the Norwegian embassy.

Peter's group was also given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the UN building in New York.

He got to see some of the places where global decisions took place affecting world history. Peter also met an assistant to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"It was fascinating," said Peter, "we got to see the parts of the UN that no one gets to see.

"The whole building is situated on neutral ground so it has its own police force and you have to go through customs and have a stamp in your passport."

Peter was successful in getting a seat to lead a debate in one of the chambers in the UN building.

He had to go through an exhaustive application process on the day to be nominated for the role.

"I've always had an interest in politics right through school and I hope to go on to study it at university.

"I don't think the life of a politician is for me though, I'd rather be in the background helping to make the big decisions.

"The trip was a great opportunity and I met so many friends from across the world."

Peter, a student at Methody College in Belfast, was nominated for the conference in school.

He was supported by Craigavon Borough Council and a number of councillors as well as local businesses.

The Dollingstown teenager has just completed his GCSEs and is hoping for a place in a prestigious Oxford University course previously attended by the likes of David Cameron, William Hague and Bill Clinton.

If he does there will be a bit of rivalry in the Erskine household as brother Peter is hoping for a place in Cambridge to study medicine.