This marks just one of many meetings taken by the two young New Yorkers, as part of a long to-do list that makes up the day of the Convention President.
The idea of being PGA for the day It’s simple: two students from the public school system come to the UN Headquarters to shadow President Francis in his role as leader of the General Assembly.
They will attend the meetings he organizes, engage in common discussions, and even have lunch when he does.
The day will be long, but the students are ready for the job – both are excited at the prospect of being at the center of world diplomacy.
Mr. Ponomarev and Ms. Akter are both incoming 10th graders involved in the Global Leader’s Academy, a program focused on bringing together multilingual immigrant students to build leadership skills while also encouraging them to engage with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Interest in progress
They were selected after participating in a six-week workshop, impressing their teachers with inspirational essays about SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutionsagain SDG5: Gender Equalityrespectively.
“The next generation has our ideas,” said Mr. Ponomarev with confidence. “We are ambitious and with our ambition, we can improve a lot.”
To start their day, the students met with the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, to discuss their aspirations, concerns and questions about the role of young people in shaping policy.
“It’s interesting to hear how they express this from their point of view,” said Mr. Paullier. “I am happy that young people have access and opportunities to be part of the SDGs, as their participation is important.”
The students then presented some ideas for dialogue with the youth to Daniel del Valle Blanco, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Chair of Youth Counseling at UN Habitat and former Ambassador of the International Youth Organization to the UN. , before heading to the President of the Office of the General Assembly.
Three presidents
Just before meeting Mr. Francis first, their happiness is obvious.
Not only is this a great time for self-improvement, but it’s also a first for the Office with the launch of a new program.
The first thing the three “presidents” do together is hold an impromptu press conference in the Press Room where spokeswoman Monica Grayley is currently preparing to speak to the media.
Mr. Ponomarev and Ms. Akter sat with President Francis at the podium, taking questions from reporters about the future proposals of the Presidency, what they would tell their friends about the UN and more.
Throughout the day, students will continue to receive other important information, including the opportunity to speak with Dezhi Xu of CGTN America (off the record, of course) after his conversation with President Francis. They were also able to sit in on a meeting with Kenya’s new representative, Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale.
The UN has long recognized and respected the rights of young people to participate effectively in social change, economic growth and technological innovation.
Focus on the youth – and the future
The current PGA is no different – it has worked hard to instill youth as key changers during this year’s 78th session.
He did remarkably a #AskPGA: Interview with Youth The first ever General Assembly Sustainability Week in April, welcomed young business leaders from West and Central Africa to the ECOSOC Youth Forum and attended the conference. Network Night in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for environmentally conscious youth.
President Francis says that he not only found the experience enjoyable, but he hopes that his successors will be able to continue this program in the coming years after he leaves office next month.
He also wants Mr. Ponomarev and Ms. Akter left the day enlightened and excited about the work of the United Nations.
As for the students? They’ll be working hard on some summer homework – thinking about what they took away from their day at the UN, given to them personally by President Francis – and maybe dreaming of a future return to the UN on a regular basis.
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