It’s a wrap on the 2022 AFS Youth Assembly! Hundreds of dynamic young global citizens from 76 countries gathered in New York City from August 12-14, 2022 aspiring to Reshape the World and take important actions towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Before we meet again in 2023, check out the highlights from the 27th Session that just ended:
United Nations Welcomes Us for International Youth Day Celebrations
We celebrated International Youth Day at the UN headquarters, convening 600 of Youth Assembly Delegates, dignitaries, leaders, educators, activists and champions of sustainable development. Watch the recording here.
We were honored to receive the New York City Mayoral Proclamation, declaring August 12 The AFS Youth Assembly Day in New York City. In his remarks, Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Innovation said: “Gatherings like The Youth Assembly, and organizations like AFS, are crucial to New York City’s efforts to develop a network of globally-minded individuals and promote sustainable action with youth at the center.”
The remarks of Daniel Obst, President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, set the tone for the discussions that came over the next two days at The Youth Assembly: “Intercultural understanding is mission-critical for our world. In today’s world—which faces so many challenges and is so divided—we need more dialogue and exchange. While young people will bear the burden for the global challenges we all face, they certainly must not own sole responsibility for solving them.”
AFS Award for Young Global Citizens Winners
Noel Ifeanyi Alumona from Nigeria won the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens for his project Boys Champions, giving young boys the opportunities they need to become agents of peace. Second place winners of the AFS Award were Mariana Gabrielle Cangco Reyes for her project Daluyong: a Coral Restoration and Clean-up Project, and Larissa del Pilar Cevallos Perez for her Project Hub United Peruvian Youth. Special recognition was given to Rugsal Trading, a project from Sierra Leone, led by Alhaji Siraj Bah.
Recognitions for Outstanding Contributions
This year’s Outstanding Youth Delegate Award was presented to Nadine Khaouli from Lebanon for excellent leadership capabilities and a proven track record of exceptional achievements related to youth engagement. Delton Domah from Liberia, Danielle Nakpil from the Philippines, Raquely Portela Malveira from Brazil, Daniela Coll Ross from Costa Rica and Dana Khalid Al-Anzy from Qatar were recognized as Outstanding Youth Assembly Ambassadors.
Engagement & Insights During the Panels & Workshops
Powerful discussions took place at The Youth Assembly. Panels looked into transforming education, equitable access to healthcare, global citizenship, polarization, DEI in global careers, technological advancements and more. The workshops got the Delegates interacting on topics like communication skills, artificial intelligence, global citizenship, philanthropy, leadership and advocacy.
The Delegates were especially excited to learn that for this event AFS partnered with South Pole, a company that provides innovative solutions to mitigate risk and achieve sustainability goals. The partnership demonstrates the commitment to offset the carbon emissions of all the travel related to attending The Youth Assembly. The funds will be invested in supporting local projects protecting biodiversity and bringing benefits to local communities.
Discovering New Opportunities at the Fair
The Delegates engaged with exhibitors and learned a lot about advancing their education and career prospects at the Opportunities Fair delivered by DHL. Thanks for exhibiting, Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs, Schwarzman Scholars, USAID, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDG Academy, SDSN Youth, Global Schools), UNAOC, IIE, DoSomething.org, Paisleys Pals, Atlas Corps, and AFS! In the Action and Impact Hub, an exhibit style event, selected Youth Assembly Delegates also presented their work to fellow Delegates, networked and explored meaningful ways to collaborate on projects around the world.
A Celebration of Cultures
The Closing Ceremony ended with energizing musical performances by The Artists Avenue from Bayonne New Jersey, The Queen Crusaders STEP group, as well as trio of Olivia K, Ricky Pistone and Baba who got the Delegates on their feet dancing and excited for the CultureFest where they showcased national attires and local cultures.
Thank you to all of the partners and collaborators who supported the Youth Assembly this year. Their support made it possible for one in four delegates to receive a scholarship to attend this event, as well as for the program to be filled with engaging content.
Save the date to join us at the 28th Session of the Youth Assembly in New York City from August 11 to 13, 2023.