Events
Decade of Youth Action
How do we promote youth action to accelerate progress on #GlobalGoals by 2030?
The last decade was marked by dialogues and campaigns around climate emergency, peace conflicts, gender inequality, poverty, and inadequate education and health facilities. This decade, the focus is on action and mobilization of youth to achieve the Global Goals by 2030. The United Nations Department of Global Communications and Friendship Ambassadors Foundation are joining hands to support the UN Decade of Action while giving a particular focus to youth. The Decade of Action aims to provide a framework and call-to-action for all sectors of society, along the three levels suggested by the Secretary-General: global action, local action, and people action.
Join us for a discussion on youth action to accelerate the progress of the #GlobalGoals. The event will specifically focus on:
- How to strengthen youth engagement in UN priority areas, including the Decade of Action
- Ideas and solutions for action to accelerate the achievement of the Global Goals
- Youth participation in platforms and discussion at local and national levels
Speakers include:
- Shaaz Nasir, Director of Digital Transformation, Microsoft
- Marco Sanchez, Youth Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator UNA USA
- Cecilia Chapiro, Yunus & Youth Founder; Investment Adviser @ UNICEF Innovation
- Valeria Gomez-Palacios, Co-Founder & Program Director, Global Emergency Response and Assistance
- Mayela Calderon, Partner Engagement Manager, Girls Who Code
- Alexandria Villaseñor, Climate Activist & Founder of Earth Uprising International
- Representative from Civil Society Unit, Department of Global Communications
- Moderator: Ali Mustafa, Youth Programs and Communications Consultant, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
- Emcee: Andrew Macdonald, Executive Director, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
Registration Guidelines:
- Sign up through Eventbrite. PLEASE RSVP ONLY ONCE. Important: State your First Name and Last Name as indicated in your valid Photo ID.
- This event is free and open to the public. If you have a valid UNHQ Grounds Pass, please indicate in the form accordingly. Please note that Eventbrite registration does not mean guaranteed admission.
- A valid government-issued photo identification from a United Nations Member State or Observer State or a US driver’s license to enter UN Headquarters will be required to redeem event tickets. The information submitted on this form should match the information on the I.D. you present the day of the event. DO NOT submit your name on behalf of someone else.
- International registrants who are based outside of the United States must have a visa to travel to the US to attend. No invitation letters will be provided.
Join the conversation: #DecadeofYouthAction#GlobalGoals #DecadeOfAction #UNWithCivilSociety #UN75
“Decade of Youth Action” Program Schedule
In Collaboration with the UN Department of Global Communications Civil Society Unit
4 March 2020, 10:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Opening Remarks and Welcome (10:30 A.M.)
Andrew Macdonald, Executive Director
Opening Keynote (10:35 A.M.)
Representative, Civil Society Unit, Department of Global Communications
Panel (10:40 A.M.)
Moderator: Ali Mustafa, Youth Programs and Communications Consultant, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
Shaaz Nasir, Director of Digital Transformation, Microsoft
Marco Sanchez, Youth Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator, UNA USA
Cecilia Chapiro, Yunus & Youth Founder; Investment Adviser @ UNICEF Innovation
Valeria Gomez-Palacios, Co-Founder & Program Director, Global Emergency Response and Assistance
Mayela Calderon, Partner Engagement Manager, Girls Who Code
Q&A / Open Mic (11:10 A.M.)
UN75 Presentation (12:05 P.M.)
Closing Keynote (12:35 P.M.)
Alexandria Villaseñor, Climate Activist & Founder of Earth Uprising International
Conclusion / Photo Op (12:45 P.M.)
Consultations: Declaration of Priorities – Human Development
Description:
The Youth Assembly is a place for young people to build partnerships and networks, learn and develop critical skills, and take action that delivers real impact to their local and global communities.
The outcome is a powerful cross-sector and cross-national network among the next generation of leaders, translated into action-based projects and initiatives after the conference. We expect participants to experience The Youth Assembly, not as an event, but as part of a journey that directs significant action and impact on the ground in their communities and across the world.
To guide this journey, the Delegates will help produce a landmark document – FAF’s first Declaration of Priorities, which will set out the primary issues, goals, and strategies for youth action to support sustainable development as determined and agreed upon by The Youth Assembly and the FA community globally. The priorities will gather consultations and input from the Global Action and Impact Network (GAIN), the Youth Assembly Delegates, Alumni, and the broader Friendship Ambassadors Community. Attendees of The 25th Youth Assembly will play a key role by formulating ideas and language for the outcome document. Subsequently, the 26th Session of The Youth Assembly will convene in Summer 2020 to monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of the priorities.
Consultations: Declaration of Priorities – Peace
Description:
The Youth Assembly is a place for young people to build partnerships and networks, learn and develop critical skills, and take action that delivers real impact to their local and global communities.
The outcome is a powerful cross-sector and cross-national network among the next generation of leaders, translated into action-based projects and initiatives after the conference. We expect participants to experience The Youth Assembly, not as an event, but as part of a journey that directs significant action and impact on the ground in their communities and across the world.
To guide this journey, the Delegates will help produce a landmark document – FAF’s first Declaration of Priorities, which will set out the primary issues, goals, and strategies for youth action to support sustainable development as determined and agreed upon by The Youth Assembly and the FA community globally. The priorities will gather consultations and input from the Global Action and Impact Network (GAIN), the Youth Assembly Delegates, Alumni, and the broader Friendship Ambassadors Community. Attendees of The 25th Youth Assembly will play a key role by formulating ideas and language for the outcome document. Subsequently, the 26th Session of The Youth Assembly will convene in Summer 2020 to monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of the priorities.
Consultations: Declaration of Priorities – Environment
Description:
The Youth Assembly is a place for young people to build partnerships and networks, learn and develop critical skills, and take action that delivers real impact to their local and global communities.
The outcome is a powerful cross-sector and cross-national network among the next generation of leaders, translated into action-based projects and initiatives after the conference. We expect participants to experience The Youth Assembly, not as an event, but as part of a journey that directs significant action and impact on the ground in their communities and across the world.
To guide this journey, the Delegates will help produce a landmark document – FAF’s first Declaration of Priorities, which will set out the primary issues, goals, and strategies for youth action to support sustainable development as determined and agreed upon by The Youth Assembly and the FA community globally. The priorities will gather consultations and input from the Global Action and Impact Network (GAIN), the Youth Assembly Delegates, Alumni, and the broader Friendship Ambassadors Community. Attendees of The 25th Youth Assembly will play a key role by formulating ideas and language for the outcome document. Subsequently, the 26th Session of The Youth Assembly will convene in Summer 2020 to monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of the priorities.
YA Connect with Speakers and the Friendship Ambassadors Community
Description:
Youth Assembly Delegates come from an extraordinary range of backgrounds, regions, and fields of expertise. There is a great benefit to be had from meeting and sharing ideas with this community of global young leaders, and it is particularly important for all attendees to find others working in similar areas who may be able to mutually benefit from each other’s experiences. YA Connect will provide a networking platform for exactly this: a chance for delegates to meet, learn from, and potentially form partnerships with those working in a similar field. The room will be set up with different sections for various regions, and various topics within the SDGs, so that one can easily find others who may be appropriate partners or supporters in the future.
Youth Involvement at the United Nations
Speakers:
- Hawa Diallo, Civil Society Unit, UN Department of Global Communications @UNDGC_CSO
- Aishu Narasimhadevara, Medical Women’s International Association
- Alpha Diallo, Environmental Development Action in the Third World (ENDA)
- Ali Mustafa, United Nations Civil Society Youth Task Force and Youth Programs and Communications Consultant, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation @smalimustafa
- Juan Pablo Celis Garcia, UNA New York
Model Diplomacy Simulation (GDL Participants Only – Pre-Sign Up Required; Observers Welcome)
Topic: Conflict and Humanitarian Efforts in South Sudan
This session is open for viewing for Conference-Only delegates. If you are a GDL Delegate and signed up as a participant, you will be required to do preparation work before the conference, which includes research and writing on the topic indicated. Participants will be assigned to work in pairs or groups of three.
Facilitator
- Xan Northcott, Project Coordinator, Generation Global, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change @XanNorthcott
FAF Ambassadors and Regional Impact Coordinators Award Ceremony
Description:
Enjoy this unique opportunity to attend the Ambassador and Regional Impact Coordinator Awards Ceremony.
Putting International Development Into Practice
Speaker:
- Eugenia McGill, Senior Lecturer, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
Description:
Delegates will become familiar with methods and tools for the practice of international development. The workshop will showcase participatory methods through the involvement of diverse stakeholders for locally-owned projects and solutions.
Leaving No One Behind: Crises, Refugees, and Vulnerable Populations
Speakers:
- Moderator: Kelly Razzouk, Director of Policy and Advocacy, International Rescue Committee (IRC) @KellyRazzouk @RescueORG
- Hamdia Ahmed, Model & Social Justice Activist @hamdia_ahmed
- Nabil Ali, Director of Programs, International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) @IDRFCanada
- Maia Bix, Research, Grants, and Administration Specialist, Tent Foundation @tentorg @Maia_Bix
- Tom Dobbins, Director of Justice and Peace, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) @CatholicRelief
- Dana Sleiman, Senior Public Information Officer, UNHCR @Refugees @DanaSleiman
Description:
Format: Panel with Q&A
This moderated talk event will discuss the latest progress and pathways toward addressing the refugee crisis, ensuring the rights of refugees, and best assisting this group through aid and beyond. The event will consider how young people can make an impact to support refugees and alleviate crises and risks. The discussion will center on expediting progress and accountability for this vulnerable group for a more humane world where refugees and marginalized groups can recover from crises, and live in security and dignity with safeguarded rights. Delegates will come away with further insight into the refugee crisis and ideas on how they can best get involved with various organizations and sectors to support international refugees and migrants, and to address the risks in relocation and causes that are forcing people to flee.