YOUNGA 2022 Continues with Engaging Discussions

By Joseph Conciatori, Creative Spirit Alumni, Marketing Content Writer at Navitend

YOUNGA 2022

Following an opening week full of engaging discussions, YOUNGA 2022 presented by BridgingTheGap Ventures continued last week with even more opportunities for youth delegates from around the world to collaborate with each other, learn from global leaders, and share thoughts about how to spark positive, meaningful change. On Wednesday, October 5, I joined my fellow delegates for not one, but two virtual discussions about the importance of leadership. In “Universal Declaration of Human Duties for Leaders,” we participated in a master class hosted by Argenis Angulo, the president of JCI, an organization for developing aspiring leaders in more than 5,000 communities worldwide. After introducing himself, Argenis said that during his youth in Venezuela, he did not have the characteristics a traditional leader would possess. However, at age 18, Argenis joined two leadership organizations so he could develop those qualities. He then asked me and my fellow delegates to define leadership in our own words.

My fellow delegates and I then went to Slido.com, entering words that we thought best described the ideal leader. We also used the Zoom text chat to share our thoughts, with delegate Ayana Robinson mentioning selflessness as a quality leaders must possess. Once we finished this interactive activity, Argenis told us that leadership is not about a specific position. Rather, he said that the goal is to assume leadership of our own lives.

As Argenis continued to stress the importance of effective global leaders, we expressed our thoughts in the chat, emphasizing that leaders should be advocates, pacesetters, and a voice for their people. He then introduced us to the Universal Declaration of Human Duties for Leaders, a framework outlining our responsibilities as leaders in a complex, ever-changing world.

During YOUNGA 2022 Argenis explained that our first duty as leaders is to preserve life, starting with our physical and mental health, with the goal of promoting long-term peace, inclusion, and prosperity for all. He then shifted emphasis to serving humanity, not just respecting, caring, and honoring every individual, but also contributing to safe and fair communities. Youth delegate Leah from Northern Ireland shared her thoughts, emphasizing the importance of giving back to our communities and society as a whole. I then thought about my own experiences volunteering at the Netcong food bank and participating in other charitable initiatives.

Argenis continued by outlining the importance of protecting our physical environment and preserving the ecosystems around us, specifically emphasizing sustainable choices to lay the foundation for future generations. He then shifted emphasis to the fourth duty, namely preserving, protecting, and encouraging the freedom to create new enterprises. Argenis then mentioned investing in local industry not only to create jobs in our communities, but also to cut costs and lower our carbon footprint by not having to import the goods produced locally.

Next, during YOUNGA 2022 Argenis outlined the importance of respecting human personality, namely cherishing our fellow leaders’ diverse opinions, as well as respecting elements of all cultures, such as our respective heritages and the languages we speak. Youth delegate Dhruti from South Africa then shared her thoughts, stating that all “out-of-the-box ideas are born from diversity, and diversity comes from inclusion,” especially in the workplace. Argenis then highlighted the importance of educating ourselves and others. In addition to promoting access to equitable education and equal opportunities worldwide, we must also appreciate, develop, and explore human talent and entrepreneurial spirit. Furthermore, it is not enough to use our skills and knowledge to advance our own careers. We need to utilize these same skills to uplift others as well.

Finally, Argenis emphasized the importance of leading responsibility. The seventh and final tenet in the Declaration of Duties for Leaders states that we must not only responsibly exercise and protect individual freedom of expression, but also create an environment of mutual respect and most importantly, know, respect, and promote human rights worldwide. Forty minutes after the first session ended, I joined my fellow delegates for a fireside chat with Himaja Nagireddy, the 11th and current UN Youth Observer. After introducing herself, Himaja mentioned that public speaking does not come naturally to her, but with practice, she quickly became an excellent communicator. I found this immediately reliable, having taken a public speaking course in college to hone my communication skills. Himaja then shared a storyabout her mother, who was interested in higher education while growing up in India but was highly discouraged from doing so. These experiences led Himaja to become an advocate for gender equality, a cause about which she is extremely passionate.

As the discussion continued during YOUNGA 2022, Himaja emphasized the importance of prioritizing underrepresented groups in the workforce, and especially addressing sexual harrassment in our workplaces. She also pointed out that although young people like ourselves have led the movement for solutions to combat climate change, our leaders have largely failed to acknowledge such contributions.

Himaja then shared stories about her experiences applying to the Youth Observer position. Although she had initially applied for the role while in college, Himaja was rejected. However, she did not lose hope and eventually applied again after graduating with her master’s degree. I quickly took Himaja’s story to heart, knowing that no matter how many times I fail, what matters most is the determination to try again.

Continuing with the discussion, Himaja then shared her stories about visiting the UN General Assembly during High-Level Week, when dignitaries from around the globe converge on the UN headquarters in New York City. She mentioned a time when police officers stopped her to let a procession of ten cars pass, including one carrying President Joe Biden. I was fascinated by Himaja’s story, since it is not every day that you must stop walking to let the president of the United States pass through.

At YOUNGA 2022, youth delegate AnnLiz then asked what advice Himaja had for her and their fellow women, to which Himaja replied that it is more complicated than it seems. Himaja then stressed the importance of changing the rhetoric around women, since it is harder for women to advocate on their own behalf. She explained that regardless of our sex or gender identity, we must advocate for all women and recognize the oppression they face every day. After Himaja expressed her frustration with leaders who strip away women’s rights, I felt empowered to stand up for all the leading ladies in my life, defending their rights in the face of pressure to strip them away.

Himaja then shared her experiences with telling stories not only to those who are similar to her, but those who are quite different. She also emphasized the importance of genuinely being yourself, a sentiment with which I quickly resonated.

At the end of our discussion, Himaja took time to answer the delegates’ questions. Rejoice Anaele, a delegate from South Carolina, asked Himaja how she was able to engage audiences who did not wish to engage. Himaja replied that she had never experienced that lack of audience engagement because of selection bias. In other words, Himaja’s audiences were as interested in the subject matter as she was.

Finally, youth delegate Laura from Mexico told Himaja about her lifelong dream to join the UN. Laura mentioned that when she was three years old, she saw something about the United Nations on television and immediately aspired to join the organization. She also expressed her dream to become the President of Mexico. After Laura finished her story, Himaja remembered speaking to a public delegate who saw the United Nations building at age eight and said, “I want to work there,” demonstrating that if we apply our skills and knowledge to the best of our abilities, our dreams can come true.

As I signed off for the night, I not only felt inspired by Argenis and Himaja’s stories, but more importantly, empowered to make a difference in my community. I felt that both discussions were not only fascinating and engaging, but more importantly, a foundation providing me with the principles and practices I must apply to become a strong, confident, and empowering leader.

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YOUNGA 2022
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