In late September, Angeline participated in the Action Days of the Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, with financial support from the International Division. She is a freshman from Venezuela (Chile residency), and she is passionate about youth participation in politics. She is excited to learn new things, enjoys reading, and is happy to chat about books. Angeline is considering studying political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a goal to work on strengthening democracy through open government initiatives. At the King-Morgridge Scholar Program, we had an opportunity to talk to Angeline and asked her a few questions.
Q: What did you do in New York? Please introduce the event, including its name, purpose, and who was invited.
A: I attended the Action Days of the Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters. This event was created to generate additional opportunities for the engagement of all actors in civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders around the idea of a shared future. The focus was on how we can work together moving forward to achieve goals related to digital technology, peace and security, and sustainable development and financing. I was primarily focused on how to include diverse youth, such as migrants, in the Youth Blast section.
Q: How was your experience? Share some highlights, including what happened and how you felt about being involved.
A: It was a truly great experience to meet all the people involved in innovative solutions for youth participation and to hear about their efforts in addressing issues in their home countries. I also learned about challenges I was not fully aware of, such as the abandonment of Afghan women and the lack of disabled representation in public policy. This gave me the opportunity to reflect on these issues and consider ways to support the organizations working on them. Thanks to the MGCY (Major Group for Children and Youth), it was valuable to have spaces to engage with other young activists and discuss how to move forward towards meaningful, non-tokenistic participation in the United Nations and in national governance.
Q: Do you have any tips to share with other King-Morgridge Scholars and global citizens who are interested in participating in similar activities and developing their leadership skills?
A: Get involved with the MGCY! They work on all youth-related issues, including technology, health, gender, and more. They are an umbrella group, so if you are working on these issues in your home country, it is a great way to connect with an international network. In general, I would say the most important thing is to actively seek out opportunities by engaging with posts and topics that align with your professional interests. Do not be afraid to try new things! It was my first time in New York and at the United Nations. Of course, I was nervous at first, but stepping out of your comfort zone and allowing yourself to embrace the experiences you want can be very rewarding.