Events
Information Literacy: How to Advocate Online and Counter Fake News
Speaker:
Farhad Jarral, Resident Research Fellow, Kettering FoundationDescription:
Fake news and misinformation online and in the press have become one of the leading challenges in countries around the world. This workshop will show you how to counter fake news, how to better obtain and process good, true and useful information, and in turn how you can create an effective online campaign around your cause.
Global Health & Disabilities: Building an Inclusive and Healthy Society for All
Speakers:
Dr. Richard Montgomery, UK Executive Director, The World Bank Group
Priscila Rodríguez, Associate Director for Advocacy, Disability Rights International
Anna Martin, Disability Inclusive Education Advocacy Officer, Light for the World
Background:
Access to quality, affordable and reliable healthcare stands out as one of the most crucial requirements for human development and achieving a better world, and is the basis for Sustainable Development Goal 3, which calls for countries to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. Immense progress has been made in some aspects of health care, for example, the maternal mortality ratio globally has declined by 37 percent since 2000, and, from 2000 to 2016, the under-5 mortality rate dropped by 47 percent. However, thousands around the world continue to die needlessly from preventable diseases, and many global epidemics are still widespread, with some health hazards even on the increase. The number of people with disabilities stands out as a figure on the rise, and adequate support for those with physical and mental disabilities is greatly lacking in many countries. In some countries, 90 percent of youth with disabilities are out of school, and the literacy rate for adults with disabilities can be up to 53% below average. This panel will seek to discuss the latest progress and pathways forward for global health and address the future initiatives that have to be made for the disabled community. Particular attention will be paid to how the next generation of young leaders can better understand and make an impact in this field.
Possible Discussion Points:
- Within the global sustainable development agenda, how important is quality healthcare? How closely are poor health and disabilities connected to poverty and other issues? What wider benefits are there from a country having healthy citizens?
- Healthcare has greatly improved in some areas but less in others – what are the key areas where progress needs to be stepped up?
- Around 15% of the global population has some form of disability, and this rate is increasing, while those with disabilities also face greater barriers to healthcare. What can governments, multilateral institutions, the NGO community, and others do to mitigate this urgent situation?
- Is good progress being made to improve access to and a!ordability of healthcare, including for people with disabilities? Has there been more success in certain countries or regions as opposed to others, and what lessons can we learn from this?
- Around 800,000 people commit suicide each year, and, in 2016, 79% of these were in low and middle-income countries. How can mental healthcare be improved to prevent this and other devastating effects?
- What are some successful examples of care for the disabled in countries or communities that could be emulated elsewhere?
- How is progress being made to increase public education access and career opportunities for disabled persons?
- What skills, knowledge, and experience do young people need to make an impact in the #eld of healthcare?
- How can youth best work to improve conditions for the disabled in their own schools or communities?
Powering a Sustainable Future: Clean and Renewable Energy
Speakers:
David Livingston, Deputy Director of the Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council
Fid Thompson, Communications Director, Solar Sister
Lindsey Walter, Senior Policy Advisor, Third Way
Background:
For young people today, climate change and other environmental challenges will be perhaps the most urgent and difficult that they face. One of the main drivers of climate change is human use of fossil fuels, which though they have powered humanity into the modern era, have also left devastating effects on the environment and human health. As stated in UN SDG 7, it is crucial to bring affordable and reliable energy to all, including the almost 1 billion who still do not have access to electricity, but also to “ increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix”. While this issue is increasingly urgent, there also some positive signs on the horizon, with renewable and clean energy sources becoming more advanced, efficient, and cost-effective. Several countries have stepped up investment in solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources for use in electricity grids, transport, industry and elsewhere. Costa Rica’s electric system was able to run on renewable sources for 300 straight days in 2017, while China powered an entire province the size of Texas for a week with 100% renewable energy. Iceland has an almost 100% renewable consumption rate, and the UK recently had its first week with no use of coal since the industrial revolution. Moreover, market-based tools such as carbon pricing, and the massive number of jobs being created by renewables ( 9.8 million as of 2017 ) are increasingly making this a bipartisan issue worldwide. Young people in particular need to be engaged with this long-term problem, and receive the knowledge and tools to take appropriate action. This panel will discuss the challenges regarding energy sources and climate change, explore strategies for achieving a more sustainable future, and discuss how youth can make an impact in this field.
Possible Discussion Points:
- What risks do we face if we fail to increase the adoption of renewable energy?
- What are the best strategies for countries, in either the developed or developing world, to expand the use of clean and renewable energy?
- What problems do some countries or communities face that hinder their ability to switch to renewable energy? How can these be addressed?
- Should nuclear energy be considered as an alternative for coal, oil, and gas while renewable technology is still being improved?
- In areas where many still have no access to electricity, are renewables still a viable option? Or should fossil fuels be used to prioritize access?
- How can businesses and industry best be persuaded to join efforts to switch to renewables?
- How can we reduce fossil fuel use for transport?
- What can young people do as individuals to support increased use of clean and renewable energy?
Supporting Youth-led Innovation for the SDGs
Speakers:
Sam Loni, Global Coordinator, SDSN-Youth
Kayla Colyard, Events Project Lead, SDSN-Youth
Description:
Join this session to learn more about the remarkably innovative work youth are doing to achieve the SDGs. SDSN-Youth will guide you through thinking about project creation, and show you how their Youth Solutions Hub can be a powerful tool to help your own innovative project succeed.
Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding
Speakers:
Steve Chase, Manager of Academic Initiatives, International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
Miranda Rivers, Program Assistant, U.S. Institute for Peace
Nick Zaremba, Program Specialist, US Institute of Peace
Description:
This workshop will be led by ICNC and USIP, two world-leading organizations in the field of civil resistance and peaceful, non-violent movements for change. They will give you hands-on practical advice on leading a movement and realizing the change in your own country, including guidance on what strategies are most effective.
Meet the Author: Kristen Ball, Author of “A Calf Named Brian Higgins”
Description:
Join this exclusive event to meet children’s author Kristen Ball, learn about her celebrated new book “A Calf Named Brian Higgins”, and find out more about the power of literature to spread more awareness of the SDGs and social issues to younger audiences.
Impact Challenge Finals
Description:
Come hear finalists pitch their solutions to local problems contributing to SDGs to a panel of expert judges (in no particular order):
- Erik Oskar Ruge, Peru – ECOnstruction focuses on building ecological, self-sustainable houses in rural areas.
- Vaania Achuthan, India – Svasthya seeks to improve mental health awareness globally.
- Margarita Antonio, Philippines – EMPATH: Mental Health Startup tackles mental health inequality, lack of psychosocial literacy, and contextualized psychological care.
- Dumile Ndelea, Zimbabwe – iTherms Technology focuses on clean energy through innovative technology.
- María Fernanda Sánchez Campos, Costa Rica – PapillomaCare intends to save lives through social empowerment interventions and to make conscious about the prevention by sexual education on Human Papilloma Virus disease.
- Kshitij Raj Lohani, Nepal – Muna provides mental, emotional and sex education to children and young teens through a modern technological approach.
- Maria Emilia Calle Luzuriaga, Ecuador – IYAYKU seeks to provide an eco-friendly water filtration system to marginalized populations.
- Oyebamiji Tunde, Nigeria – REdDrop ensures the establishment of a sustainable, reactive and stable supply chain of safe blood and blood-products for patients.
- Steven Marles, Colombia – Friendly Houses helps families who live in areas of vulnerability through the building of houses plastic solid waste with the aim that people can empower themselves and become an active part of the community.
- Abranette Barry, Liberia – Get WISE (Women In Science and Engineering) empowers girls in developing countries with access to quality STEM education.
YA Connect
Description:
Connect with delegates of similar backgrounds in this session of informal networking where you will meet others of common interests and experiences.
The New Technological Era: Challenges and Opportunities for Youth
Speakers:
Bradley Michelson, Director of Business Development, Idealist
Sarah Awan, Manager, PwC Digital
Alan McQuinn, Senior Policy Analyst, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
Zeluis Teixeira, Director of Acceleration and Operational Excellence, PeaceTech Lab
Marcela Zeballos, Managing Director, YouthMappers
Background:
Advancements in technology are accelerating at an exceptional rate, and the technological breakthroughs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as artificial intelligence, automation, biotechnology, and blockchain are redefining how people engage with the world. Although many of these new developments hold great potential to increase productivity and creativity in the workplace, spread knowledge around the world and support humanitarian efforts, there are also many challenges that come with such rapid changes in technology. The number of concerns regarding the future job market, privacy and security, and the influence of fake and false information is on the rise. This panel will analyze both the positive and negative implications of the major technological trends and offer advice on how youth can best take advantage of the opportunities of tech innovation while avoiding the many risks.
Possible Discussion Points:
- What do you think are the most important technological trends in the world today? How about in 20 years time?
- How will these major tech changes affect the global economy? Is there cause for more optimism or concern?
- How will these changes affect developing countries? Will they share in the benefits, or is there a risk of increased global inequality?
- There is significant discussion recently around innovations in AI, automation, IoT, biotechnology, etc. What are the leading practical benefits of these for the youth of today? What are the leading risks youth need to be aware of?
- Youth typically face much higher than average rates of unemployment, and now some predictions suggest that new technology puts almost half of all jobs at risk from automation. So, should young people be fearful of expanding technology, and how can they prepare for this?
- Will these new technologies foster peace and accountability, or could they equally become tools for criminals, autocrats or violent groups?
- Does the rise of social media help expand free speech or make censorship easier? Does it promote better global support and understanding, or increase division and tension through false information?
- How can we find a balance between the protection of privacy and security concerns – who should have control over regulation?
- What implications might new technologies have in increasing or reducing inequality?
Refugees and Migration: Moving People and Perceptions
Speakers:
Matthew Reynolds, Regional Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Nazanin Ash, Vice President for Global Policy and Advocacy, International Rescue Committee
Ann Hollingsworth, Director of Government Relations and Senior Policy Advisor, Refugees International
Raina Kadavil, CEO, Urban Refuge
Background:
The world has never known such large numbers of people on the move, for both positive and negative reasons, with major implications for all of humanity. Migration has increasingly become an avenue for finding new social and economic opportunities, but recent years have seen the start of a backlash against this, with fear of mass migration sparking political unrest worldwide. Meanwhile, the world is in the midst of a refugee crisis, with an unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world forced from their homes. Many try to escape poverty, gang violence, natural disasters, persecution, and statelessness, among them nearly 25.9 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. Violence, unrest, and conflict is the major cause, resulting in 6.7 million displaced from Syria, 909,000 from among the Rohingya of Myanmar, estimates of up to 4 million from Venezuela, and many thousands fleeing gang violence and crime in Latin America. Moreover, since 2008, an average of 24 million people have been displaced by catastrophic weather disasters each year, and climate change is expected to increase this number.
This panel will discuss the movement of people in the modern world, including the rights, benefits and implications of migration, as well as the refugee crisis and what can be done to address it. In particular, it will seek to tell young people what they need to know on this issue and suggest how youth might be able to make a difference in this field.
Possible Discussion Points:
- Why is the number of international migrants growing so fast? What are the bene!ts and potential negative implications of this?
- Why have recent years seen growing fear and backlash against migration and accepting refugees, most notably in the US and Europe? Are these concerns legitimate, and what can be done to address them? Should young people today be wary of migrating?
- What are the main root causes of the refugee crisis, and what can be done to stop it?
- Why is there growing unwillingness to accept refugees in certain countries, and how can the e$ects of this be mitigated?
- What is the appropriate response to those who say countries should prioritize their own citizens before accepting refugees?
- What are the potential wider implications of the refugee crisis? Will it impact progress towards achieving the other SDGs? Could it trigger further conflict and unrest?
- What is the best pathway forward for countries, organizations and international organizations to address this issue?
- What can young people, in particular, do to prevent a backlash against migrants, and help those suffering from the refugee crisis?