Uniting Female Leaders at the UN General Assembly: Watershed Moments and Why Youth Voices Matter

The 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77) opened on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, and with wide-ranging debate running from the 20th through the 26th, young activists flocked to New York City to be heard. Sharing the week long webcast with their members and commenting on social, organizations like UN Women , 联合国儿童基金会 , UN Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI) and more listened to heads of state exchange ideas and proffered up their own solutions to the UNGA agenda.

Circulating links and resources to our own être community, we collected questions from girls about what goes on at the UN and, of particular interest to next gen leaders, how today’s youth is getting involved. And so exciting, one of our own être Board members was among the young activists invited! See her first-hand reporting after the Q&A:

OK, stop. First of all, what is UNGA?

Good question. The UNGA is the main policy-making body of the United Nations. “Comprising all Member States,” the UN website explains, “it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.”

Where does everyone sit?

Seating arrangements in the General Assembly Hall change for each session – think of it like a school assembly. During the 77th Session (2022-2023), for example, Belize will occupy the first seat in the hall, followed by all the other countries in English alphabetical order.

Is there a theme at each session?

There is – and this session had a big one. The 77th session theme was A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges, and was designed to address “the shared roots of crises such as COVID-19, climate change and conflict,” and the need for creative and sustainable solutions. Yep, an ambitious theme that required fresh ideas and a lot of new voices.

Right. So how are leaders our age getting involved?

This is our favorite part. College-age activists were invited by various organizations to come to New York City, meet global leaders and share ideas. From teen activists to the members of Black Pink, the first female K-Pop act invited to perform at Coachella and included as advocates for the UN Sustainable Goals, young voices made themselves heard last week.

More examples, please.

No problem. Hosted by UNICEF, the UNGEI partnership held their inaugural and by-invitation-only Global Feminist Coalition for Gender Transformative Education on the 20th and 21st of September, bringing together feminist civil society organizations and teen activists from more than 25 countries around the world.

Young leaders invited to attend included Caryn Dasah from Cameroon, an activist addressing education in emergencies, Isabella Tello from Colombia, focused on education and climate justice, Michelle Varaidzo from Zimbabwe and Nataly Nicole Rivas Pincay from Ecuador, both speaking on education in emergencies, and Selin Ozunaldim from Turkey, a gender equality and STEM activist.

We reached out to Selin Ozunaldin, an être Board member, to hear what it was like to be part of the activities surrounding the UNGA 77, and to find out which watershed moments stood out to her.

“As a member of the?Global Feminist Coalition for Gender Transformative Education by UNGEI in support of UNICEF” began Selin, “I had the privilege?to attend the Transforming Education Summit at the United Nations HQ."

"I was so inspired by the events at the summit," she continued. "At the Ending Gender Stereotypes to Transform Education session moderated by Ashlee Burnett, Global Feminist Education Coalition members Scott Marchak and Pashtana Zalmai Khan Dorani spoke about the importance of sustainable systems that break down gender binaries.?[And] during the Mobilization Day session Youth Declaration on Transforming Education – From Demands to Commitments & Action, Global Feminist Coalition Member Isabella Tello shared that, 'The path to justice is a feminist one.'”

“It was enlightening to attend various sessions organized by Actions Tracks, hosted by UNGEI, Plan International, Transform Education, GPE, and many more incredible organizations,” shared Selin.

“The sessions were hosted at the actual ECOSOC chamber which felt so unreal to me. The events that took place on the 17th truly felt like an open and safe space where everyone was welcomed to contribute in order to achieve our shared goal.” ?

“Then on the 18th of September,?I was invited to the?WD2023 United Nations General Assembly Reception where?I got to meet with THE Malala! I was absolutely?delighted to listen to the powerful speeches of the Former President of New Zealand, Australian Government, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Executive Director of UNFPA, CEO of Women Deliver, Women Deliver Advisory Group, Co-heads of Women Deliver Conference, and watch an unreal performance from the dancers of Beyonce!”

What was our ultimate takeaway? That youth voices matter. That anyone with a vision for the future – from global heads of state to pop stars to teen activists – can stand up and be heard in one of the most hallowed halls of leadership.

You can watch all of last week’s proceedings on the webcast here, and the next slate of events can be found here. What is the most pressing issue on your mind? What innovative solution would you suggest? What group of young speakers would you want with you on the stage?

Gather your thoughts and garner your group.

The United Nations is listening.

Looking forward,

Illana

êXTRAS: Three extra UN spotlights you won't want to miss: UN Women's interactive Women Unite video, UNGEI's knowledge resource hub to see how you can get involved, and (a teaser) UNICEF's plans for the 10th anniversary of International Day of the Girl. Stay tuned...we've got huge plans.

Know someone we should highlight? A role model, mentor or champion whose praises we should sing? DM me on LinkedIn and subscribe above! Can't wait to brainstorm together! Want to be more connected? Follow @etregirls and me personally at @illanaraia to keep the conversation going.