Youth Advocacy and Participation in Democratic Systems: Empowering Voices for a Better Tomorrow!
We are thrilled to announce that on July 20th we successfully hosted our first Youth Chat of the year, where we passionately delved into the crucial topic of youth advocacy and participation in democratic systems.
With the participation of the UN Youth Observer Himaja Nagireddy and returning Youth Leadership Summit alumnus Edward Sun, the program emphasized the undeniable truth that youth voices form the very backbone of any meaningful strategic decision making, and it is time they are given the importance they deserve. Our speaker and moderator encouraged young individuals to be persistent, dedicated, and unyielding in their pursuit to carve out space for themselves in the democratic process.
Together, we believe that the collective power of young minds can spark positive change and lead us towards a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Let us continue to amplify youth voices and empower the leaders of tomorrow!
Himaja Nagireddy, from Acton, MA, is the 11th Youth Observer to the UN from the US, as part of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA). In her role as Youth Observer this
year, she uplifts the voices and actions of young people across our country in global policy dialogue on international issues of importance – representing young people at UN conferences (Transforming Education Summit, 77th UN General Assembly, World Food Forum, 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27), 67th Commission on the Status of Women, UN Water Conference, and the ECOSOC Youth Forum.) and meetings with leadership at the US State Department, US-UN Mission, UN Youth Envoy Office, UN Youth Delegate Program, and UN Foundation. This year, she is also serving as the Head of the US Delegation to the Y20, the official youth constituency to the G20 Summit.
A proud daughter of South Indian immigrants, Himaja currently serves as a health equity research fellow at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at the CDC and as one of the youngest local elected representatives in the state of Massachusetts. She graduated with an MS in Environmental Epidemiology and a concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Himaja Nagireddy, from Acton, MA, is the 11th Youth Observer to the UN from the US, as part of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA). In her role as Youth Observer this
year, she uplifts the voices and actions of young people across our country in global policy dialogue on international issues of importance – representing young people at UN conferences (Transforming Education Summit, 77th UN General Assembly, World Food Forum, 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27), 67th Commission on the Status of Women, UN Water Conference, and the ECOSOC Youth Forum.) and meetings with leadership at the US State Department, US-UN Mission, UN Youth Envoy Office, UN Youth Delegate Program, and UN Foundation. This year, she is also serving as the Head of the US Delegation to the Y20, the official youth constituency to the G20 Summit.
A proud daughter of South Indian immigrants, Himaja currently serves as a health equity research fellow at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at the CDC and as one of the youngest local elected representatives in the state of Massachusetts. She graduated with an MS in Environmental Epidemiology and a concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Edward is on the threshold of an exciting new chapter in his academic journey, as he embarks on his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School. He has been accepted into the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management, a program that combines the power of bioscience and business education. Among a group of approximately 24 students selected each year, Edward will concentrate on Biology and Finance.
With a lifelong commitment to service, Edward has created several mental health initiatives. As the past President of the Fort Wayne Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council, Edward represented over 17,500 high school students. Last year, he spearheaded a mental health symposium in his local city. In total, he fundraised over $15,000 and had over 200 students from 20 high schools attend the symposium.
Edward is on the threshold of an exciting new chapter in his academic journey, as he embarks on his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School. He has been accepted into the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management, a program that combines the power of bioscience and business education. Among a group of approximately 24 students selected each year, Edward will concentrate on Biology and Finance.
With a lifelong commitment to service, Edward has created several mental health initiatives. As the past President of the Fort Wayne Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council, Edward represented over 17,500 high school students. Last year, he spearheaded a mental health symposium in his local city. In total, he fundraised over $15,000 and had over 200 students from 20 high schools attend the symposium.
Himaja Nagireddy, from Acton, MA, is the 11th Youth Observer to the UN from the US, as part of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA). In her role as Youth Observer this
year, she uplifts the voices and actions of young people across our country in global policy dialogue on international issues of importance – representing young people at UN conferences (Transforming Education Summit, 77th UN General Assembly, World Food Forum, 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27), 67th Commission on the Status of Women, UN Water Conference, and the ECOSOC Youth Forum.) and meetings with leadership at the US State Department, US-UN Mission, UN Youth Envoy Office, UN Youth Delegate Program, and UN Foundation. This year, she is also serving as the Head of the US Delegation to the Y20, the official youth constituency to the G20 Summit.
A proud daughter of South Indian immigrants, Himaja currently serves as a health equity research fellow at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at the CDC and as one of the youngest local elected representatives in the state of Massachusetts. She graduated with an MS in Environmental Epidemiology and a concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Himaja Nagireddy, from Acton, MA, is the 11th Youth Observer to the UN from the US, as part of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA). In her role as Youth Observer this
year, she uplifts the voices and actions of young people across our country in global policy dialogue on international issues of importance – representing young people at UN conferences (Transforming Education Summit, 77th UN General Assembly, World Food Forum, 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27), 67th Commission on the Status of Women, UN Water Conference, and the ECOSOC Youth Forum.) and meetings with leadership at the US State Department, US-UN Mission, UN Youth Envoy Office, UN Youth Delegate Program, and UN Foundation. This year, she is also serving as the Head of the US Delegation to the Y20, the official youth constituency to the G20 Summit.
A proud daughter of South Indian immigrants, Himaja currently serves as a health equity research fellow at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at the CDC and as one of the youngest local elected representatives in the state of Massachusetts. She graduated with an MS in Environmental Epidemiology and a concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Edward is on the threshold of an exciting new chapter in his academic journey, as he embarks on his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School. He has been accepted into the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management, a program that combines the power of bioscience and business education. Among a group of approximately 24 students selected each year, Edward will concentrate on Biology and Finance.
With a lifelong commitment to service, Edward has created several mental health initiatives. As the past President of the Fort Wayne Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council, Edward represented over 17,500 high school students. Last year, he spearheaded a mental health symposium in his local city. In total, he fundraised over $15,000 and had over 200 students from 20 high schools attend the symposium.
Edward is on the threshold of an exciting new chapter in his academic journey, as he embarks on his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School. He has been accepted into the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management, a program that combines the power of bioscience and business education. Among a group of approximately 24 students selected each year, Edward will concentrate on Biology and Finance.
With a lifelong commitment to service, Edward has created several mental health initiatives. As the past President of the Fort Wayne Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council, Edward represented over 17,500 high school students. Last year, he spearheaded a mental health symposium in his local city. In total, he fundraised over $15,000 and had over 200 students from 20 high schools attend the symposium.
Stay tuned for our last program of the year, Youth Leadership Summit Public Forum where we celebrate the UN International Youth Day on August 10, 2023 at 12 PM ET!
We will continue to explore critical issues and empower the youth to be the change agents for a more sustainable and resilient world while we hear from young leaders. We will also announce our YAAS 2023 winners announce our YAAS 2024 theme.
Join us in the movement for climate action and together, let’s create a brighter and greener future for generations to come! Find more information about the August 10 program here and register now!
Check out our Youth Leadership Summit – Public Forum on Thursday, August 10, 2023! – it is open to everyone of all ages!
Have a question? Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]