Youth Leadership Event

youth

leadership event

On August 6, the United Nations Association of Saint Louis’ SDG Changemakers united with the High School Hispanic Leadership Institute Class VI on a joint effort to ideate around the creation of an Afghan Community Center — an initiative from the International Institute of St. Louis through its Afghan Community Support Program. The purpose of this effort was to see how young people throughout the region and from diverse backgrounds could work together for a common purpose.

“We really wanted to take the opportunity to bring young people together while being part of creating something very meaningful for our community,” SDG Changemakers Program Director, Rene lannotti said, about how this concept of working together came to fruition.

About 20 high school-aged youth came together at the St. Louis Zoo, where the idea of the Afghan Community Center was presented by Moji Sidiqi, Afghan Community Support Program Manager at the International Institute of St. Louis. Along with Armina Petrescu-Tudor, Manager of Strategic Initiatives at the International Institute of St. Louis, the pair presented the framework of how individuals end up in St. Louis through the refugee resettlement process.

“We shared with attendees how changes within the global landscape, such as effects of climate change, may affect individuals’ need to flee their home countries. As a direct effect of this movement, we expect to welcome even more individuals.” Petrescu-Tudor highlighted.

Carlos Suarez, Command Center Coordinator at the International Institute, also serves as President of the United Nations Association of Saint Louis. “This work really achieves our common purpose of creating an inclusive society, and by working towards peace, so that we as individuals can reach our greatest potential,” expressed Suarez. I really enjoyed the program. It was good to hear from the leaders at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and International Institute to become more aware of these organizations and work they do for the St. Louis area. I also liked how the program facilitated and heavily encouraged collaboration between the attendees. Coming from the Illinois side of the river, it was fun to meet other students and brainstorm ideas on what we could develop to help the refugees assimilate into St. Louis. Isabel Rehg — participant