Events

Investing in Development: A People-Centered Approach
Speakers:
- Moderator: Dan Thomas, Chief Communications Officer, UN Global Compact @globalcompact
- Gülden Turkoz-Cosslett, Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director, Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), UNDP
- Bobby Irven, Senior Communications Associate, BRAC USA @BRACworld
- Jordan Raupp, Asia Business Development Manager, Chemonics International @Chemonics
- Josh Williams, Founder, Joshua’s Heart Foundation, Ashoka Changemaker @Ashoka
Description:
Format: Panel with Q&A This panel will focus on the facets to achieving human development, especially in poverty alleviation, across various avenues. People-centered development entails comprehensive and cross-cutting policies and investments in essential goods and services to meet basic needs and improve quality of life – from health to education, to nourishment, and more. In tackling poverty and prioritizing human development, financing must come from the public sector as well as the private sector. Delegates will examine issues impeding advancements in poverty eradication and consider ways to overcome them from the perspective of a variety of key development and aid sector stakeholders including governments, aid agencies, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, and the private sector while illuminating pathways for youth to support development and investment in development in their own local communities.
Sustaining Peace through Youth Engagement
Speakers:
- Moderator: Ali Mustafa, United Nations Civil Society Youth Task Force and Youth Programs and Communications Consultant, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation @smalimustafa
- Michael Collins, Executive Director of Americas, Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) @economicspeace
- Paul Bisca, Conflict and Security Consultant, World Bank @WorldBank
- Jimena Leiva Roesch, Senior Fellow, International Peace Institute (IPI) @ipinst
Description:
Format: Panel with Q&A
This panel will discuss how youth are affected by conflict, as well as the various ways in which youth can engage in peace efforts, support non-violent movements, and help to sustain peace. Delegates will be introduced to principles of key international development dimensions pertaining to peaceful conflict resolution, the nexus between peace and development, and maintenance of peace while broadening the perspective on interconnected global issues as well as different cultures and contexts through learning from speakers and peers of different backgrounds. The importance of the role of youth as stakeholders in order to achieve long-term peace and stability will be a focal point to the conversation, as speakers evaluate how youth can push for a better world without falling into violence and conflict. Delegates will come away with ideas, plans, and inspiration to drive action for peace and preservation of peace through insightful leadership.
International Youth Day 2019: Engaging Youth to Advance Sustainable Cities and Communities
The United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) Civil Society Unit in collaboration with the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation invites you to an event in celebration of International Youth Day, which will bring together young people to discuss how we can promote sustainable communities through deeper youth engagement and leadership.
With rapid urbanization and a historically large youth population, advancing inclusive sustainable development is a top priority for communities worldwide. Global issues like poverty, climate change, and inequality especially affect youth adversely in both urban and rural areas. These challenges necessitate the participation of civil society and young people in devising solutions and taking action to build sustainable, inclusive, and safe communities for all.
Program Schedule
15:00 – 15:20 Welcome Address
15:25 – 16:25 Panel: Youth for Inclusive and Sustainable Communities
16:35 – 17:35 Youth Declaration Global Open Mic Session
17:40 – 18:00 Closing Plenary
Registration Guidelines
- This event is free and open to the public. If you have a valid UNHQ Grounds Pass, please indicate accordingly. Please note that Eventbrite registration does not mean guaranteed admission.
- 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.
- PLEASE RSVP ONLY ONCE.





Climate Action, Innovation & Youth
Speakers:
Dr. Miroslav Polzer, Secretary-General, IAAI GloCha
Bobby Kia, Co-Founder, The People’s Prize
Tracey Ritchie, Director of Education, Earth Day Network
Frank Niepold, Climate Education Senior Program Manager, NOAA
Francis Dobbs, Senior Consultant, Connect4Climate

Political Action for the SDGs: The Role of Youth
Speakers:
Bonnie Worstell, Development and Advocacy Program Manager, United Nations Association of the National Capital Area
Rory Mondshein, Constituent Liaison, New York State Assembly, Director of Community Services, UNA USA
Scott Warren, CEO, Generation Citizen
Heran Zhao, Distinguished Youth Speaker
Background:
Achieving the SDGs will require action from all different sectors, and in many cases, political action by governments is needed to make progress. However, youth is one of the most underrepresented demographics in politics globally. This is often due to legal restrictions on their participation – though youth aged 15 – 25 constitute a fifth of the world’s population, a third of countries have 25 as the age of eligibility for the national parliament. Indeed, the average age of parliamentarians globally is 53, with 1.65% in their 20s and 11.8% in their 30s, despite 30 being the global median age. In addition to this, and perhaps in part because of this, youth typically have low turnout rates at elections, and reports often show disaffection with politics. However, the tide seems to be turning, with a sudden wave of major young figures in politics emerging in recent years. In particular, the position of Youth Minister is increasingly being created and held by young people, such as 22-year-old Shamma Al Mazrouei in the UAE, 26-year-old Syed Saddiq in Malaysia, and 27-year-old Pedro Robledo in Argentina. Even in the US where the average age of Congressmen is 58, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 29 became the youngest ever woman in Congress this year. While political processes can be difficult and complicated, it remains clear that political influence can be one of the most powerful pathways to enacting change on a large scale. This panel will assess the role of youth in politics and discuss how youth can best address global challenges through the channel of politics.
Possible Discussion Points:
- What inspired you to pursue a career in politics? What did you imagine it would be like and does it differ from your actual experience? What are the biggest misconceptions about how politics works?
- How can politics be used as a platform for promoting the SDGs? How do you use politics to promote the SDGs?
- What do you think are the root causes of the lack of youth participation in politics? What can be done to change this?
- For youth who believe their politicians are corrupt or against their interests, how can they address this and hold politicians more accountable?
- We all know about party polarization around the world. What suggestions do you have for working with stakeholders that may not share your interests? How do you advance your goals while staying true to your own morals in these types of situations?
- The media tends to focus exclusively on national politics, but what are some things that we should know about the local level? What have you learned from working on the local level?
- How can youth most effectively engage with foreign policy and international relations?
- Has the international community improved youth inclusion in foreign policy in recent years? If not, what more can be done?
- The SDGs are vast in range and scope, how do you bridge local and international affairs when addressing these goals? What, if any, challenges have you faced bridging local and international affairs?
- What, do you think, are the most important skills to be successful in your field? How do you suggest that young people develop these skills?
- What advice do you have for someone that is interested in pursuing a career in politics? What can be done to promote more youth inclusion, particularly for communities already underrepresented?

Launch of the Global Action and Impact Network (GAIN)
Speakers:
Yumna Khan, Youth Development Specialist, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
Hanniel Dizon, Impact Coordinator for Europe
Moiz Lakhani, Impact Coordinator for North America
Daniel Sebugwawo, Impact Coordinator for Africa
Cedric Lim, Impact Coordinator for the Asia Pacific
Swathi Arulguppe, Impact Coordinator for North America
Description:
Witness the launch of the GAIN Program and learn how to join and access unique resources to find more ways to make a positive impact towards SDGs.