Media Advisory
NEW YORK, August 12, 2014 – 75 youth from 75 countries, as part of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations—EF Education First Summer School, will discuss personal experiences and effective peacebuilding methods with UN officials during an interactive UNAOC panel on Youth and Peacebuilding on 20 August 2014 in UNHQ Conf. Room 1, Conference Building from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The panel will help youth understand what the UN does in terms of conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and reconciliation. Participants and panel members will then have an opportunity discuss areas where the UN can better collaborate with youth organizations to advance peace and security around the world.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson will offer opening remarks at the outset of the panel. The panel will also include speakers from the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and will be moderated by United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Director Matthew Hodes.
In addition, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura will deliver a special address to the summer school participants on 18 August 2014 at 12:00 p.m. in Tarrytown, New York.
Background
The UNAOC-EF Summer School brings together youth from around the world to address pressing global challenges within the context of cultural and religious diversity. Over the course of one week, a group of 75 participants aged 18-35 live together and participate in workshops and roundtables focused on understanding and fostering global citizenship, reducing stereotypes, promoting intercultural harmony and building alliances through the use of concrete tools.
Since 2010, the UNAOC has been implementing Summer Schools based on the conviction that youth are a driving force for positive social change. In 2013, UNAOC joined forces with EF Education First, a private education company, to organize this learning and exchange event. Through this programme, participants increase their understanding of other cultures and faiths and of the similarities that unite us despite our differences. They gain applicable tools for growing and sustaining their impact as teachers, activists, journalists, change-makers and leaders in their communities.
Programme Website: http://www.unaocefsummerschool.org/
Blog: http://unaocefsummerschoolblog.tumblr.com/
For more information, or to attend other sessions that are part of the UNAOC-EF Summer School please contact Ms. Meenakshi DALAL dalalm@unops.org
M: +1.630.272.0772 | O: +1.212.457.1861