Testimonials

Quotes about the Youth Assembly

About the Youth Assembly January 2011

"… Like the honey bee cross pollinates flowers to yield more resilient and beautiful species, the CSR process must acknowledge, reference, and facilitate the sharing of best practices from various settings to yield quality output …"

- From the address of Ambassador Dr. Josephine Ojiambo
Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations
January 20, 2011, UN Headquarters, NYC

"The world can and needs to hear from our young leaders, not out of compassion or kindness, but rather out of necessity. Their vision is our future."

- Tom Kadala, President, ResearchPAYS, Inc.

"Possibly one of the best among the Youth Assemblies"
"One of the best conferences I have ever attended"

- YA Attendees, January 2011

"I congratulate and thank you for your vision and leadership of this outstanding conference over the years. It is an investment in a more peaceful future and I know these young people will never forget it. They are full of optimism and growing confidence and I am heartened when I see them."

- Gillian Sorensen, Senior Advisor, U.N. Foundation

"I was inspired by the dialogue and enthusiasm of the Assembly and met several young people with passion to contribute to the success of the 8 UN Millennium Development Goals. I have enjoyed working with the team at Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and will actively seek out opportunities to build on our collaboration."

- Ambassador Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, Permanent Mission of Kenya to the U.N.

"The opportunity to share some of PepsiCo's social and environmental initiatives with the Youth Assembly attendees was a pleasure, an honor, and an inspiration. With future leaders of the caliber of those I had the good fortune to meet, I am more heartened than ever that our planet, and the communities which share its resources, are in very capable hands. My parting advice to those leaders of tomorrow: follow your passion. It is amazing to witness the impact that will result!"

- Daniel Bena, Director of Sustainable Development, PepsiCo

"The honor of working with a dynamic representation of our future generation of global leaders (on the Tangshan College scholarship opportunity) was by far mine to cherish. As is often the case, young professionals feel overwhelmed by the political and economic world we live in today. I hope in my adaptation to the Case Study Method, they could see how easy it is for them too seek strength and conviction from their peers by using a simple discussion process for exchanging ideas, mulling over tough challenges, and dreaming together as one voice. The world can and needs to hear from our young leaders, not out of compassion or kindness, but rather out of necessity. Their vision is our future. We must let them shine together for all to see, hear, and witness. There's no doubt that the YA is well positioned to make a significant difference in the lives of many young minds."

- Tom Kadala, President, ResearchPAYS, Inc.

"The participants at the Youth Assembly are exceptional. You could witness faces shining with inspiration and minds racing with deep thoughts when enlightened and challenged with new ideas that benefit the global community. The energy that was created was mirrored off each participant creating a brilliant glow in an exciting environment that promises action."

- Andrew Septimus, Algae Systems (Biodiversity, startup social enterprise)

"It is encouraging and inspiring to see teenagers and young adults so well-organized, informed and passionate about the issues affecting our world and their commitment to assisting with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. I was honored to be a part of it."

- Leo Dotson -Keynotes Speaker -YA Orientation
Founder & Chair of "Purple Freedom.Org

"Most inspiring to me was the excitement, enthusiasm and genuine appreciation that the participants shared following the event. It is a powerful experience to meet so many others who recognize importance in the same issues you do."

- Katy Mixter, Program Associate, Corporate Sustainability, Citigroup

"[The YA] is an important mechanism of the United Nations. Not only does it give young people a chance to be included … it also brings new perspectives to the General Assembly, thereby enriching its work."

- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

Galleries

8th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations January 2011

Endorsements

The following Permanent Missions to the United Nations have reconfirmed their pledges of endorsement for the Youth Assembly at the United Nations in 2012:

Lead Mission: Rwanda

Belgium

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Chile

Finland

Germany

Guatemala

Hungary

Italy

Liechenstein

Romania

Sweden