These thoughts were written by Alexia, one of our 2020 summer interns. The opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of Civitas other than respect for the value of open dialogue.
A few weeks ago, I participated virtually in a three day Global Summit hosted by MUN Impact.
MUN Impact is an organization seeking to translate knowledge and skills acquired during Model United Nations simulations into actual impact on the world by promoting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and engaging youth in creating positive change in their communities. According to the website of the organization, there is a missing link between expertise and action, and “MUN Impact seeks to fill this gap by giving you the tools, ideas, networks and inspiration to take action in your community.”
I was amazed of the wide range of resources that this virtual gathering provided in regards to its participants. Over 70 sessions were held on topics ranging from Model UN, the SDGs, making impact and taking action, as well as hope. From UN Officials to student activists, this large event brought together an incredible diversity of leaders, both present and future.
One session I was impressed about was led by Albert Oliva and entitled “Towards Equality in Opportunity.” Albert Oliva is a young global justice advocate who established and manages an Impact Summit in Prague in the Check republic. He focused his presentation on global inequalities of opportunity, for example by stating that according to data from various organizations inequality in developing countries has shot up 11% between 1990 and 2010, and that for example the poorest 20% of the South African population consume less than 3% of the country’s resources whereas the wealthiest 20% consume over 65% of resources. Albert Oliva not only provided numerous examples of disparities from around the globe, but he also suggested solutions ranging from education to petitioning and from local to international initiatives of policy change.
Another session I consider important is “Inside the Youth Climate Movement” with climate activist Sophia Kianni. She took various types of action, including a hunger strike, in order to attract attention about the severe human-generated crisis that faces our planet due to global warming and related changes to weather patterns. To raise awareness about the dangers for humankind of air and water pollution and of the depletion of the resources in and above the soil, Sophia Kianni has collaborated with an array of policy makers and advocates, from Nancy Pelosi to Jane Fonda, but most importantly she has worked closely together with many other young climate activists from the United States and around the world. I left this session with a deeper understanding of both the public health crises that can ensue due to pollution and the tactics utilized by young activists seeking to address this issue.
Other session I attended online discussed problems and solutions regarding food choices and food waste, the oil based economy and its impact on the quality of water, plastic and our throw-away culture, gender equality, and refugees, among others. Since I participated in a money collection effort for The Thirst Project for the Key Club at Lindbergh High School this spring, I was delighted to hear from Evan Wesley, Vice President for Student Activism for this project. I was also interested in hearing as much as possible about the Decade of Action, an ambitious global effort led by the UN and mobilizing governments, civil society, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to accelerate sustainable solutions to all the world’s biggest challenges, ranging from poverty and gender to climate change, inequality and closing the finance gap. The Global Summit also provided participant networking opportunities each evening.
I am glad I participated in the Global Summit hosted by MUN Impact. The event was thoughtful and inspirational. The organizers even made a playlist of the session recordings available to participants and for dissemination. I would like to contribute to many of the causes outlined as well as perhaps contribute to the organization of such an event for youth in our own region.
