On August 12th-14th, the SDG Academy, Global Schools, and SDSN Youth participated in the 27th Annual Youth Assembly held in New York City, New York.
Day 1 of the assembly was held in the ECOSOC chambers of the United Nations to celebrate International Youth Day. Speakers included Mr. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations for the International Day of Youth; Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth for the International Day of Youth; and Mr. Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, UN Department of Global Communications among others.
Over the next two days, panels looked into transforming education, equitable access to healthcare, global citizenship, global careers, technological advancements and more. Workshops encouraged participants to brainstorm and think through topics like advocacy, artificial intelligence, global citizenship, philanthropy, and leadership.
The panel “The Imperative of Global Citizenship” featured Global Schools Program Manager, Amanda Abrom. The panel spoke on sustainable development education and values needed to continue creating change in communities. She shared the floor with Dina Buchbinder Auron, Founder and President of Education for Sharing and Mission 4.7 Champion, Sabrina Kinslow, LMSW Vice President of Programming and Impact at DoSomething.org, Daniel Obst President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, and Cristian A. Vera Senior Vice President for Sales at DHL.
In the afternoon, the Global Schools program hosted a workshop on “Building Your Advocacy Skills on Sustainable Development Education.” Speakers included Amanda Abrom and Global Schools Project Officers Kendra-Lee Heney, Brenda Garcia Millán, and Elizabeth Lerman. During the workshop, the Global Schools team gave an overview of the Advocates program, the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) landscape, and the Global Schools Case Study Guide.
During the second portion of the workshop, the Global Schools team led the Youth Assembly delegates through three interactive activities to build their skills to advocate for ESD in their own communities. Participants developed and pitched their ideas which included funding more teachers and safer schools in rural communities, developing sustainable food systems, and more!“The Youth Assembly was an amazing opportunity to meet young leaders from all over the world and hear their stories on making a positive impact. By holding the Global Schools workshop, we hoped to showcase the work of our advocates who are shaping the minds of students all over the world to become change-makers themselves. At the same time, we aimed to provide a tactical session that can help others with their advocacy, in order to more effectively enact impact with our leaders.”
“The Youth Assembly was an amazing opportunity to meet young leaders from all over the world and hear their stories on making a positive impact. By holding the Global Schools workshop, we hoped to showcase the work of our advocates who are shaping the minds of students all over the world to become change-makers themselves. At the same time, we aimed to provide a tactical session that can help others with their advocacy, in order to more effectively enact impact with our leaders.”
Elizabeth Lerman, Global Schools Project Officer
“The workshop gave participants the opportunity to discuss solutions to address some of the most complex challenges in education including connectivity issues and gender inequality.”
Brenda Garcia Millán, Global Schools Project Officer
“It was a wonderful opportunity for the Global Schools Team to network with educational professionals passionate about making a difference in sustainable development. Delegates expressed that they left the session empowered and excited to implement their new ESD advocacy skills in their school communities.”
Kendra-Lee Heney, Global Schools Project Officer
Throughout Day 2, the SDG Academy, Global Schools, and SDSN Youth programs also hosted a booth at the Opportunities Fair. The interactive booth allowed Youth Assembly participants to learn more about the programs in a fun and engaging way. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to spin the SDG wheel and talk to our team!
During the closing ceremony on Day 3, MDP Alumni Mariana Reyes received the second place AFS Award for her project Daluyong: a Coral Restoration and Clean-up Project. Congratulations, Mariana!
Save the date to join us at the 28th Session of the Youth Assembly in New York City from August 11 to 13, 2023!
