Celebrity Media Editor's Note: On the morning of February 16th, representatives, students, non-governmental organization members, and civil society representatives from around the world gathered together to attend the United Nations Association of the United States of America's 2024 Global Engagement Summit held in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. This summit brought together people from diverse backgrounds to discuss the world's most pressing issues and to find new ways of cooperation.
A student from Brooklyn named Arbi shared his experience: "My name is Arbi, and I'm from Brooklyn. As a student here, today marks my first visit to the United Nations General Assembly. I have never been here before. I am looking forward to seeing what developments will take place, which speakers will be present, and who will be speaking. I am very curious about everything that is going to happen.
Mark, also from a school in Brooklyn, expressed his views on this opportunity: "We came here with a school from the Bronx called Charter One. I think this is a very rare opportunity to come here and see the United Nations, to explore new opportunities. I also came here to establish new connections with people, whether through volunteer work, assistance, or direct cooperation with the United Nations, to help and change the world
Yangzi, representing the Celebrity Media Foundation for the first time at a United Nations conference on women and children's rights, stated: "I am very grateful to be able to attend the United Nations conference on women and children today. I will learn a lot from this conference about the balance between climate and education. I cherish this opportunity very much.
Eileen Dawn, an ambassador for Global Goal 16, shared her anticipation: "As the founder and executive director of Hopix Global, I am excited to be here at the conference today, participating in the Global Engagement Summit this afternoon. There will be an introduction of our 17 Sustainable Development Goals by Global Goals ambassadors this afternoon, and how they intersect with our daily lives, especially in relation to gender equality, gender-based violence, and human rights."
This summit not only provided a platform for discussing global challenges and finding solutions but also emphasized the role of individuals and collectives in advancing global goals. Participants engaged in interaction, discussion, and networking, working together to create a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world.
As the event concluded, attendees left with new insights, connections, and inspiration, ready to take action in their communities and globally to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations Association of the United States of America's 2024 Global Engagement Summit demonstrated that when we come together and work collaboratively, we have the capacity to face the world's most urgent challenges and pave the way for a better future.
At this exhilarating Global Engagement Summit, speakers shared their insights and experiences, highlighting the importance of cooperation, innovation, and action.
Elizabeth Cousins, leader of the United Nations Foundation, mentioned in her opening speech: "We are more interconnected, more vulnerable, and have more opportunities than ever before. The immense forces of history, technology, and nature are converging on us in very complex ways that require unprecedented cooperation.
Vara Theo, Senior Advisor to the CEO of the Eleanor Crook Foundation, shared her profound insights on the issue of malnutrition: "We can end child deaths due to malnutrition in our lifetime. Yet, malnutrition remains a global crisis, being the number one cause of death among children worldwide, killing more children each year than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS combined.
Oosa Wein Hoven, representing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), emphasized the role of digital technology in achieving Sustainable Development Goals: "We conducted some research and found that at least 70% of the goals could be accelerated if we use digital technologies. However, a key enabling factor is ensuring that more people can use these technologies.
Additionally, the summit specifically highlighted the role of youth and their potential in driving change. Through inspiring stories and calls to action, speakers encouraged the younger generation to actively participate and become part of the solution to global challenges.
**As the summit came to a close, attendees not only gained deep insights into how to drive change on a global scale but were also reminded that everyone has the power to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world. The United Nations Association of the United States of America's 2024 Global Engagement Summit successfully brought together people from different backgrounds to discuss how to address some of the most pressing issues of our time through cooperation and innovation.
