We the People
My wonderful experience serving as IOR’s Corresponder at the UNA-USA 2019 Global Engagement Summit.
By: Caroline Kurdej
My refugee armband, orange with a black stripe, served as a life vest of comfort hugging my long-sleeved black dress.
The International Orchestra of Refugees (IOR) delegation adopted a wearable refugee flag as part of our professional uniform, a bright orange plea for help. My role as IOR’s Correspondent entails writing and producing news, stories, and press releases to highlight our commitment to serve as an instrument of change for displaced persons. An orange and black symbol, inspired by the colors of life vests, carries emblematic gravity; one that serves as tribute to those refugees who lost their lives crossing a Mediterranean.
Perhaps my distress was unnecessary. Not all of those occupying the beige cushioned seats, fashioned with microphones were diplomats in pressed suits.
Physically, we didn’t appear to have much in common. Attendees of the United Nations Assembly 2019 Global Engagement Summit varied in age, origin, ethnic heritage, skin color, beard volume, glasses type, suit color, and dress length. Or, in certain circumstances, tie-dye shirts and patterned skirts.
We tend to forget that according to most scientific studies, humans share 99.9 percent of their genome sequence with one another.
What took me by the greatest surprise was the vast youth representation within the New York United Nations Headquarters General Assembly Hall. As I looked around, there were as many youthful and inquisitive faces, dare I say, as there were older and wiser.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered remarks in the General Assembly Hall, kicking off UNA-USA’s Global Engagement Summit at New York Headquarters on February 22.
“Unfortunately, Your Excellency, we’re out of time,” said the moderator.
“No Excellencies here,” responded UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to the chuckles resonating throughout the hall. “No, it’s true. Where I work, among my colleagues, if anyone says ‘excellency,’ there is a fine of $1,000. That is how we are trying to solve the financial problems of the UN.”
Upon the UN-Secretary General’s insistence, Ryan Ramirez, from San Antonio, Texas, was permitted to ask the final question: “With the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment throughout the Western world, what efforts to protect the human rights and dignity of refugees and immigrants around the world is the UN committed to?”
“The refugees are those that flee, not because they want to, or want a better future, but because they are forced to flee by conflict, or by oppression, by dictatorships, by the violations of their basic human rights that they are facing. There is an international law, an obligation for countries to protect refugees, and for refugees to never be sent back to their country of origin. Our appeal to all countries is to keep their borders open to refugees, and to grant them protection, and allow them to integrate into societies, at least during the time they are not able to go back to their countries of origin. Until a few years ago, this perspective was widely respected internationally. What we see now, unfortunately, especially in the richest countries of the world, is a trend to be more restrictive to refugees,” said His Excellency Mr. António Guterres.
The Imposter Syndrome
Afterwards, IOR had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Michael Scott Peters, U.S. Youth Observer to the UN, alongside a few other incredibly inspiring youths. IOR’s Founder, Sebastian Agignoae, posed pertinent questions, and reinforced our commitment to empower displaced musicians to not only survive, but prosper through orchestral opportunities and collaborative community. Ellie Hart, a youth ambassador for plastic pollution reduction with the Smithsonian and Global Co Labs, also shared her hopeful outlook for high school youth. How did I find myself amongst these inspiring people?
“Have you heard of the imposter syndrome?” asked Michael Scott. He knows, I thought to myself.
We nodded our heads.
“Many of us feel we don’t belong. We must try to do our best and make a difference. Empower others to gain confidence and share your story. By doing so, others will do the same” he said.
Michael noted that young people want to get involved, and are passionate about making change. The gap lies wherein we lack the confidence to do so.
“It is the passion for creating social good that unites us,” said Michael Scott.
And so with that unification, Michael and I walked over to the SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) Student-Corporate Lunch together, intent on using our passion to drive change.
Michael mentioned that he spoke at Harvard University a few weeks prior. On our walk over to lunch, I shared a bit on Children for America, a non-profit whose mission is enriching college tech startup communities through creativity and innovation in the market space. My role as Digital Content and Technology News Manager is writing articles and empowering younger generations to infiltrate the technology sector with knowledge of antitrust laws.
We reached the 11th floor of the Ford Foundation, and I settled into a seat at Table 8, comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, UN Foundation interns, and Jamie Lockwood, a Facebook Educator, among others.
Pratik, an undergraduate student at Thomas Jefferson University, informed us that his family is successful in the real estate business in India. He shared his passion in sustainable design and construction management.
“I want to be the biggest man in the world, and make lots of dollars,” he said. “And then complete the loop, and give back,” he finished.
What Unites Us as Human Beings is Far Greater than What Divides Us
We all laughed. We all have our wild visions, our founded beliefs, and compelling passions that we envision delving into, with the hopes of creating a better world.
The United Nations was born out of World War II, the world’s deadliest conflict in human history. The UN managed to rise from the smoldering ashes, the mounds of human remains, with the vision to safeguard democracy, freedom, and peace, in the horrifying aftermath of Nazism and genocide. The UN is an institution that stands for those who cannot stand for themselves.
“Now, more than ever, we must remember that the United Nations was founded out of the ashes of a fractured world. The devastating loss of millions of lives and infrastructure brings into focus the realization, that only together can we face the challenges around us and avoid our own self-destruction,”
said Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, President, 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“What was true then, remains true today. Multilateralism is the only tool for countries to maintain sovereignty while contributing to join global initiatives.”
Issue Tracks covered pertinent topics such as Achieving Zero Hunger: The New Reality. Despite tremendous progress in hunger reduction with the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, global hunger has increased over the past few years.
Planet Earth: Partnering for Urgent Climate Action discussed the threats of climate change, and its pressing consequences in displacing people as a result of natural disasters.
IOR learned about proactive measures that can be taken to tackle questions in the contexts of both resource-scarce and resource-abundant nations.
February 22 marked the UN’s Global Engagement Summit, and also coincided with National Margarita Day. The UN experienced a face-off between International Margarita Day and USA for UNA.
“We are trending against a popular hashtag,” said Chris Wheatley, Executive Director, UNA-USA. “We cannot let multilateralism drown in a sea of tequila. Nor can we let multilateralism be impeded upon by forces in opposition of international justice, social progress, and economic growth.”
Climate Change is a Defining Issue of our Time
Jayathma Wickramanayake, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, spoke on the significant role young, active leaders play in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development plan. She highlighted what former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon remarked on International Day in 2015, that youth must be “the torchbearers of sustainable development.”
Together, we must address the climate crisis. Climate change is running faster than our efforts to slow it. “Indeed, without young people, and without you, there is no way we can achieve a world free of poverty, free of hunger, and free of the threats of climate change. We can no longer deny that our future is in need of our voice, our time, and our actions, as we face the urgent need to address global challenges of peace and security, development, and human rights.”
“Raise your voice, not the global temperature,” concluded Ms. Wickramanayake.
The Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations Preamble states, “We the Peoples of the United Nations Determined
To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.
To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.”
To choose to be champions of human rights, or forever fear our humanity.
To be victors, not victims.
And to ensure a future for not only our generation, but for many more to come.
#UnitedNations #USAforUNA #Youth2030 #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #AdvocacyisAction #PurposeDriven
Thank you for reading! If you are interested in finding out more about our programs at the United Nations Association of Chicago, please visit us at our website www.unachicago.org.
