International Youth Day Celebration: August 11, 2023
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 on August 11, 2023. The International Youth Day celebration took place at the UN with 800 young leaders and participants from around the world in attendance. The AFS Youth Assembly Delegates were included in the celebration of International Youth Day at the UN. Click here to learn more about the 2023 International Youth Day Celebration.
This event will include mini-informational sessions and engaging activities in an exhibit style setting. Delegates will be able to visit the SDG Zone delivered by DHL throughout the day to network and learn about SDGs-related work to inspire them in their own action and impact journeys.
Activities led by youth:
Do you know the power of the SDGs? by SDSN Youth. SDSN Youth showcases the SDG Zone resources for delegates.
Youth in Policy Making by Sheba George, AFS Youth Assembly Ambassador – EU Delegation. This interactive activity will cover the role of youth in shaping policies that affect their lives, outline the key policy issues of relevance to youth, such as climate and education, and explore how youth can get engaged in policy development processes at the local and global levels.
Paisley’s Shine Solution. Paisley will demo the many facets of the SHINE solution that utilizes a partnering approach to combine targeted solutions with refugee led programs.
Stories of Change: Youth Inspiring Action for a Better Future by Khaled Abdulwahed and Wantoe Wantoe, AFS Youth Assembly Alumni. Immerse yourself in the power of storytelling and ignite conversations about the SDGS at the “Stories of Change: Youth Inspiring Action for a Better Future.” This event offers impactful narratives, innovative games, networking opportunities to engage participants in the importance of the SDGs.
Photo Booth Area: Delegates will be able to use props and take official photos with a #YA28 theme banner as background.
Speed Networking: Delegates can sit down and chat throughout the day with an option to use conversational cards.
Alexandra del Castello, Associate Public Information Officer, Campaigns and Country Operations Division (Campaigns Service), UN Department of Global Communications
Session 2 at hall 2 | Track 2: Education & Employment: Skills for the Future
Solidarity for SDG 4: What Will It Take to Achieve It? (Panel)
Moderator: Ana Carolina Cassiano, Head of Education Development, AFS Intercultural Programs
Frederico Menino, Senior Program Officer, Open Society Foundation
Joann Halpern, Director, Hasso Plattner Institute, New York/Adjunct Prof. of International Education, New York University
Priya Joshi, Senior Research Officer, GEM Report, UNESCO
Ilan Enverga, Focal Point, Sustainability Education, SDG4 Youth & Student Network
Session 3 at the hub | Track 3: Protect Our Planet: Climate Action
Climate Change Affecting Our People & Planet: What We Need to Do Right Now! (Panel)
Moderator: Molly Stern, Global Up Manager, AFS Intercultural Programs
Strategic Planning for Young Entrepreneurs by JP Morgan and AFS Intercultural Programs (Workshop)
Ulrich Voss, Member of the Board of Trustees, AFS Intercultural Programs
Rashwinder Bardha, Managing Director – Global Head of AWM Operational Transformation & Strategy, JP Morgan
Session 2 at hall 2 | Track 2: Education & Employment: Skills for the Future
Skills for the Future by Accenture (Workshop)
Kathy Chen, Global Technology Learning Lead, Accenture
Session 3 at hall 1 | Track 5: Global Solidarity: Multilateralism and Regional Cooperation for a Better Future
Multilateralism and Regional Cooperation for a Better Future by International Organization for Migration (IOM) (Workshop)
Amira Nassim, Migration Policy Officer, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
5:30-6:45 pm
at hall 2
Unite for Global Action: Collaboration Hub
Delegates will have the opportunity to make new connections and collaborate on innovative ideas to continue their action and impact in their communities after the AFS Youth Assembly. This event will be moderated by Youth Advisory Council members, Larissa del Pilar Cevallos andLukas Findeisen.
7:00-7:50 pm
at hall 1
Closing Ceremony
Program Roundup: Yumna Khan, Director of the Youth Assembly & Strategic Youth Initiatives, AFS Intercultural Programs
Keynote Remarks: Brian Atwood, Visiting Scholar of International Studies and Public Affairs at Brown University’s Thomas Watson Institute for International Studies, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Keynote Remarks: H.E. Mr. Michal Mlynár, Deputy Executive Director, UN Habitat, and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations
Since 2004, our most notable speakers have included UN leaders and senior staff, celebrities, and other luminaries from civil society and the private sector. Meet the speakers who will join us at the 2023 Youth Assembly in New York City.
Anchored around a celebration of International Youth Day, the theme of the 28th Session of The Youth Assembly is “Breakthrough to a Better Future.” Five core areas were identified as the program agenda where there are urgent challenges and exciting potential for young people to make a breakthrough:
Track 1: Reduce Inequalities: Tackling Poverty and Gender Inequality
Track 2: Education & Employment: Skills for the Future
Track 3: Protect Our Planet: Climate Action
Track 4: Global Trust: Peace & Information Integrity
Track 5: Global Solidarity: Multilateralism and Regional Cooperation for a Better Future
