The 27th Session of The AFS Youth Assembly (August 12-14, 2022 in New York City) cultivated a global network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, action and impact. Hundreds of dynamic young global citizens from 76 countries gathered in New York City aspiring to reshape the world and take important actions towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.We focused on four core areas where there are urgent challenges and exciting potential for young people to take action: Youth, Global Health, Global Citizenship, Technology and Inclusion.
DAY 1: August 12, 2022
Venue: United Nations
International Youth Day Celebration
6:30 PM Call to Order
6:35 PM Opening performance
- Ms. Drew Olivia Tillman, Singer, Actress, and Song Writer
6:40 PM Introduction
- Ms. Yumna Khan, Manager of the Youth Assembly, AFS Intercultural Programs
6:45 PM Opening Address
- Mr. Daniel Obst, CEO and President, AFS Intercultural Programs
6:50 PM Welcome Remarks
- Video message from Mr. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations for the International Day of Youth
- Video message from Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth for the International Day of Youth
- Mr. Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, UN Department of of Global Communications
- Mr. Chris Williams, Director of New York Office, UN-Habitat (video)
7:20 PM International Youth Day (Panel)
- Moderator: Mr. Ali Mustafa, AFS Consultant, UN Affairs
- Ms. Klevisa Kovaci, Humanitarian Response, Save the Children and Montage Initiative
- Wantoe T. Wantoe, NGO Youth Representative to the UN, Sisters of Charity Federation, Youth Assembly Alumni and Awardee
- Ms. Veronica Boix Mansilla, Principal Investigator, Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education; and Trustee at AFS Intercultural Programs
8:05 PM Keynote Speech
- Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Fellow of the Robert Bosch Academy, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and Former President of the UN General Assembly (video)
8:15 PM Closing Remarks
- Ms. Amalie Ferdinand, Chair of Board of Trustees, AFS Intercultural Programs
- Sir Tony Blair, Executive Chairman, Former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (video)
8:25 PM New York City Mayoral Proclamation Award
- Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Innovation