Westminster students had the unique opportunity to travel to New York to attend the prestigious 2023 AFS Youth Assembly that brings together young global citizens from over 100 countries with the aim of amplifying their engagement and leadership in decision-making for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year's assembly had the theme Breakthrough to a Better Future and placed young people at the centre of change. The first day of events was the UN Assembly, held at the United Nations Headquarters, to commemorate International Youth Day 2023 and celebrate the power of youth in shaping a better world. This was preceded by a guided tour of the UN Headquarters, with unique access to iconic halls at the heart of global diplomacy like the General Assembly Hall and Security Council Chamber.
Commenting on the tour, Saba Malik, a Level 4 Politics and International Relations BA Honours student, referred to it as “a dream realised for someone like me, immersed in the study of Politics and International Relations. Walking through those halls, engaging with the epicentre of global diplomacy, and witnessing diplomacy in action left an indelible mark on my perspective.”
Over the next two days of the Assembly, the attendees participated in over 30 engaging workshops and thought-provoking panels hosted by inspiring professionals from international organisations such as UNESCO, World Bank, USAID and Save the Children. Several panels were structured around specific SDGs while others focused on cross-cutting global themes such as inequality, adaptation and climate finance, multilateralism and regional cooperation, and education for employment.
Speaking about a workshop hosted by the International Organisation for Migration, Rebekah Dugdale, a Level 5 International Relations BA Honours student, said that the interactive session “pushed us to think critically, collaborate effectively, and problem-solve collectively”.
By engaging the delegates in real world scenarios and contemporary policy debates, the Assembly provided an excellent professional development opportunity for the delegates through skill-building and interactive workshops, networking, and ideation challenges where they could apply their studies to real life scenarios.
Student Ambre Zattara said that since attending the symposium “I am a lot more confident in myself and my ability to challenge, research, reflect”, while Euan Southwell, a Level 5 International Relations and Development BA Honours participant, commended the opportunity as it helped him “to learn outside an academic environment… and to expand my potential employment opportunities after university”.
This exceptional opportunity was organised as part of the University’s broader engagement with United Nations agencies, led by Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad, Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Westminster. Reflecting on the Westminster student delegation’s trip to New York, Dr Rad said: “Our students’ participation in such international opportunities confirms the truly transformational nature of such experiences, both professionally and personally. Our students not only get exposure to and engage with global debates and forums at the highest level, but also become confidence advocates and voices for change, gain skills and competencies, network widely and build long-lasting personal and professional relationships.”
Following the symposium, Westminster students had had the chance to explore New York City, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, catch a ferry down the East River with amazing views of Manhattan and Statue of Liberty, and wander around the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station.
Reflecting on the trip, Ambre said: “Beyond learning about international relations, the SDGs and your contribution to global change, you make friends, you grow as a young advocate, and as a human being, and you engage in what motivates you the most, the reason you chose to study international relations.”
Saba added: “This unique gathering was a living testament to the idea that when young global citizens unite, they possess the power to drive positive change within their communities and beyond.”
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