The United Nations identified five “megatrends” that will shape our world over the course of this century: climate change and nature degradation, inequalities, urbanization, rapid population changes and technological revolution.
In anticipation of the 27th Session of the Youth Assembly set to take place in August 2022 in New York, we would like to hear from young people around the world on how best to engage youth in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The virtual dialogue will focus on how to ensure that the 2022 Youth Assembly serves as a call-to-action for youth to voice their opinion. The key question we will seek to address is: “What should the 2022 Youth Assembly focus on to pave the way forward in mobilizing youth to achieve the Global Goals?”
The program will include a discussion among global youth leaders, UN experts and NGO leaders, moderated by Daniel Obst, the President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, with a live Q&A.
Meet the panelists:
Hawa Diallo
Hawa Diallo, Chief of the Civil Society Unit at the Civil Society and Advocacy Section, UN Department of Global Communications has extensive United Nations experience in public information outreach and fostering civil society partnerships, with a particular emphasis on youth and women’s organizations. Ms. Diallo began her United Nations career in 1987 in the Department of Public Information and has served in two United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Cambodia and Somalia, respectively. She has also worked for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) in Nairobi, as an Associate Human Settlements Officer and as a Partners and Youth Officer. Connect with Hawa.
Regina Honu
Regina Honu is the founder and CEO of Soronko Solutions, a software development company, as well as the Soronko Academy, Tech Needs Girls and many other initiatives. She is a passionate advocate for empowering girls and women in Ghana and throughout Africa. She has received numerous recognitions, including being featured on CNN as one the inspirational women who rock STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), honored among women making an impact in Tech in Africa, named as one of 10 female entrepreneurs to watch in emerging economies, awarded Young Entrepreneur of the year by the GPA Awards from Africa 2.0 and much more. She belongs to the African Leadership Network and is a Mandela Washington Fellow. In 2018, she won the AFS Global Citizen of the Year Award. Regina is an alumna of AFS study abroad programs, from Ghana to Norway in 2000. Connect with Regina.
Louise Mabulo
Louise Emmanuelle d.G. Mabulo is a chef, farmer, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder of The Cacao Project, which cultivates resilient and climate-smart livelihoods, positioning farmers for sustainable success in San Fernando, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Mabulo is a Young Champion of the Earth under United Nations Environment Programme, National Geographic Young Explorer, Forbes Asia’s list ‘30 Under 30’, an honouree of Tatler’s ‘Generation T’, and one of the World’s 50 Next Game-changing Producers listed by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awarding Body. She was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in 2018, is a recipient of the Friend Of Humanity Award under Friendship Ambassadors Foundation New York, Social Entrepreneur award from the University of Connecticut, Champion for Sustainability Award from the Economic Times India, and on Straits Times ’30 Under 30 to watch for’ Asia list. Mabulo has also hosted pop-up dinners that source local ingredients and highlight locally produced components of her menus. She was the host to the cooking show ‘Simply Sarap’, aimed at promoting cultural diplomacy under the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. Mabulo strives toward empowering farmers and advancing climate action & environmental stewardship through her work. Connect with Louise.
Tatiana Buelvas
Tatiana Buelvas is a young leader from Cartagena-Colombia, interested in social change, leadership, and entrepreneurship with a gender approach. She studied Business Management and has experience in project management with a focus on sustainability. Tatiana graduated with a master’s degree in international cooperation for development, and is a Ph.D. candidate in interdisciplinary gender studies at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain.
Tatiana is an international consultant for non-governmental organizations and private companies to create programs for social corporate responsibility and communications for diversity. She is also a teacher and international speaker whose main passion is to inspire and empower women. Connect with Tatiana.
Rebakaone Bowe
Rebakaone Bowe is a Botswana Top Achievers’ scholarship recipient and a former Ambassador of the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and has recently completed an MSc in Global Health Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Serving as a Project lead for LSE’s Global Research and Consulting Group, a think tank that addresses major challenges and expansion areas of social impact organizations and non-profits, she provided strategic advisory, independent research, and project management. She is an alumna of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) with former roles such as Deputy Director of IFMSA-Grenada Standing Committee on Public Health and IFMSA-Grenada Fundraising Director. Currently, she is a Program Management Assistant for a start-up organization with a long-term vision to build healthy and thriving communities across Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, starting with building a Health and Education Centre in Mazowe district in Northern Zimbabwe. Connect with Rebakaone.
Dana Al-Anzy
Dana Al-Anzy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University SFSQ. She majored in Culture and Politics with a focus on Cultural Diplomacy of the Middle East. She recently received an Executive Certificate in Advocacy in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Dana is passionate about sustainable development, civil society activism and the right to education. She started her career at the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation as a Policy and Research Specialist focusing on advocacy and the SDGs through the Foundation’s mission of providing access to quality education. Dana was seconded to the Qatar Olympic Committee’s President Office, where she focused on innovative projects relating to Sports and Education for Refugees. Shortly after, she was seconded as a Partnerships Officer with UNHCR’s Division of External Relations based in Geneva, Switzerland. Dana has also served as the Qatar Youth Ambassador to the Youth Assembly since 2018, training and supporting Qatari youth delegations to attend the Youth Assembly. Connect with Dana.
Moiz Lakhani
Moiz Lakhani has a profound passion for giving back to his community. Moiz was the youngest winner of the Global Impact Challenge in 2018 and was awarded seed funding, mentorship and a platform to begin his social venture: Ninja Girls. Ninja Girls empowers women in developing countries by teaching them basic self-defence techniques which they can use to defend themselves in emergency situations. He is currently working with international mentors/organizations towards the implementation of his project. Moiz was also selected to attend the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), fully funded, as 1 of 25 youth across the world as part of the Learners’ Voice Program. He was able to voice his view on issues surrounding education with policymakers, educators and innovators. Moiz has also served as part of the RCMP National Youth Advisory Committee and as a Regional Impact Coordinator for Friendship Ambassadors Foundation for 2 years. He is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and has competed nationally in Kickboxing, and internationally in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Connect with Moiz.
The conversation will be moderated by:
Daniel Obst
Daniel Obst is President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs. Obst oversees and directs strategy for AFS, with worldwide operations, and a global community of 1 million alumni. This creative thinker and collaborator charged with leading a global movement to develop global citizens also serves on the AFS Board of Trustees. Before joining AFS in 2016, Daniel served as Deputy Vice President for International Partnerships at the Institute of International Education (IIE) where he provided strategic leadership for many groundbreaking IIE initiatives. Daniel currently serves on the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO. Connect with Daniel.
About the Youth Assembly
Since its launch in 2004, the Youth Assembly has been a global gathering of young leaders, social entrepreneurs, activists, and champions of sustainable development. It provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and partnership between youth, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations. At the Assembly, young people have access to tools, knowledge, and skills to create action-oriented solutions that help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Youth Assembly delegates, ages 18 to 32, come from over 100 countries. Each Assembly attracts between 600-800 youth delegates. Find out more.