This was just one of many meetings the two young New Yorkers attended, as part of the General Assembly President’s long to-do list for the day.
Concept of existence PGA in a Day It was simple: two students from the public school system went to the United Nations Headquarters to watch President Francis in his role as leader of the General Assembly.
They would join the meetings he scheduled, participate in the same interviews, and even have lunch with him.
It was going to be a long day, but the students were up for the task – both excited by the prospect of being at the centre of world diplomacy.
Mr. Ponomarev and Ms. Akter are both incoming 10th graders at the Global Leadership Academy, a program focused on bringing together multilingual immigrant students to build their leadership capacity while encouraging them to participate in United Nations activities. Sustainable Development Goals (Sustainable Development Goals).
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier (center) meets with New York City school students Fariha Akter (right) and Erik Ponomarev.
Passion for progress
They were selected after attending a six-week workshop, impressing their teachers with passionate essays on Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsAnd SDG5: Gender Equalityrespectively.
“The next generation has our own ideas,” Mr. Ponomarev confidently declared. “We have ambition, and with our ambition we can make a lot of progress.”
To start the day, the students met with the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, to discuss their ambitions, concerns and questions regarding the role of young people in shaping policy.
“It was great to hear how they put this into their own perspective,” said Paullier. “I am delighted that young people have access and the opportunity to be part of the SDGs, as their involvement is so important.”
The students then stopped again to discuss more ideas on engaging youth with Daniel del Valle Blanco, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Chair of the UN Habitat Youth Advisory Board and former Ambassador of the International Youth Organization to the United Nations, before heading to the Office of the President of the General Assembly.
General Assembly President Dennis Francis (right) meets with student Fariha Akter in New York City.
The presidential trio
Even before meeting Mr. Francis for the first time, their excitement was evident.
Not only is this an important time for their personal development, but it is also the first time the Office has implemented a new program.
The first thing the three “presidents” did together was to hold an unusual press conference in the Press Briefing Room, where spokeswoman Monica Grayley was currently preparing to address the press.
Mr. Ponomarev and Ms. Akter sat with President Francis on the podium, answering reporters’ questions about their future proposals for the presidency, what they would tell their friends about the United Nations, and more.
Throughout the day, students will continue to gain other important insights, including the opportunity to speak with Dezhi Xu of CGTN America (off the record of course) after the interview with President Francis. They were also treated to a meeting with Kenya’s new Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale.
The United Nations has long recognized and respected the right of young people to participate effectively in social change, economic growth and technological innovation.
General Assembly President Dennis Francis (right) and New York City school student Erik Ponomarev.
Focus on youth – and the future
The current PGA is no exception – it has made a concerted effort to focus on youth as indispensable changemakers during this year’s 78th session.
He has especially conducted a #AskPGA: Talking to Teens events during the General Assembly’s first Sustainable Development Week in April, celebrated young business leaders from West and Central Africa at the ECOSOC Youth Forum and attended a Exchange night in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for environmentally conscious young people.
President Francis said he not only found the experience rewarding but also hopes his successors can continue the program in the years to come after he leaves office next month.
He also wants Mr. Ponomarev and Ms. Akter to end the day with a clearer mind and more enthusiasm about the work of the United Nations.
And what about the students? They will have to do homework over the summer – a reflection on what they learned during their day at the UN, given to them by President Francis himself – and can dream of a future returning to the UN on a more permanent basis.
