AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to announce the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations as the lead endorser for the celebration of International Youth Day at the opening of the 28th Session of the AFS Youth Assembly on August 11, 2023. The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, will provide a keynote address at this celebration, along with other distinguished speakers and young leaders. This celebration is organized with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications Civil Society Unit.
The International Youth Day celebration is tentatively scheduled to take place at the UN General Assembly Hall with 1,000 young leaders from around the world in attendance. This ceremony will kick off the AFS Youth Assembly, a leading global platform that cultivates an international network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, action and impact.
“Malta is committed to ensuring that youth in all their diversity fully and meaningfully engage in all areas of decision-making for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and we are further committed to giving them a voice also at the Security Council,” said H.E. Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN. “We are proud to partner with AFS Intercultural Programs and hope the International Youth Day will serve to empower, encourage, and inspire youth to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
President of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Csaba Kőrösi added: “The world has only one hope to get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track – and that’s the power of transformation, including young people’s roles as decision shapers. We need their enthusiasm, their ideas, and their suggestions.”
According to Daniel Obst, President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, “We are thrilled to partner with the Permanent Mission of Malta and have the President of the General Assembly speak at the opening ceremony. With only 7 years left to accomplish the Global Goals, the world needs more active global citizens who can come together, share perspectives and take action to tackle global challenges. The AFS Youth Assembly will provide the much-needed platform to make that impact possible.”
The 28th Session of the AFS Youth Assembly (August 11-13, 2023), themed “Breakthrough to a Better Future,” will be centered on amplifying young people’s engagement and leadership in all areas of decision making and action for the Global Goals. The event will address five core areas where there are urgent challenges and exciting potential for young people to make a breakthrough:
- Reduce Inequalities: Tackling Poverty and Gender Inequality
- Education & Employment: Skills for the Future
- Protect Our Planet: Climate Action
- Global Trust: Peace & Information Integrity
- Global Solidarity: Multilateralism and Regional Cooperation for a Better Future
Additionally, Youth Assembly Delegates will have various opportunities to showcase their individual work and generate impact including through the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens Pitch Competition for $10,000 and two runner up prizes of $2,500 each; Outstanding Youth Delegate Award; an Action & Impact Hub, and upon completion of the event will join our global network of alumni focused on leadership, action and impact.
Representatives of organizations like Teach For All, World Wildlife Fund, SDSN Global Schools, Big Duck and the Institute for Economics and Peace will join the various panels and workshops to share their expertise with Youth Assembly delegates.
AFS Intercultural Programs is a leading international education and exchange organization that has been providing intercultural learning opportunities to young people for over 100 years. As an organization that promotes intercultural understanding and global citizenship, AFS is proud to be the organizer of the Youth Assembly as a platform for young people to engage in meaningful dialogue and action towards a better future.
Applications for the AFS Youth Assembly are still open, with regular rates available until April 28. Interested youth leaders can apply on the Youth Assembly website at youthassembly.org.