17 February 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST
As part of the registration, you will need to select one thematic networking circle to attend and will be assigned to that session on the day of the event.
The briefing provides a discussion and networking space that brings together representatives from civil society organizations, UN entities, and their respective networks to brainstorm, dialogue, and explore ways to develop action plans on key priorities of the United Nations.
The session features an opening and closing plenary, as well as six parallel thematic networking circles as listed below:
Breakout Networking Circle #1: Sustainable Development: Achieving Breakthroughs with Our Common Agenda
Discussion leads:
Daniel Perrel
Representative, Baha'i International Community; Co-chair of the Steering Committee of the Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN)
Hana Shono
Deputy-Executive Director, The International Young Leaders Organization
Rapporteurs:
Joshua Alade
Representative, United Nations Association of Nigeria; Member of the UN DGC Civil Society Youth Representatives Steering Committee
Breakout Networking Circle #2: Climate Justice and Gender Equality
Breakout Networking Circle #3: Intergenerational collaboration: Having Meaningful Impact
Discussion Leads:
Margo LaZaro
President and Chair, NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY
Saffin Mathews
Programs Director, 1M1B Foundation
Rapporteurs:
Ashley Yee Siang Yong
Program Manager, Tzu Chi Foundation; Member of the UN DGC Civil Society Youth Representatives Steering Committee
Breakout Networking Circle #4: Comms 123: Advocacy and Outreach in times of COVID-19
Discussion Leads:
Alibe Hamacher
Founder and CEO, Innovative Global Advisement
Conor Lennon
Feature Producer, UN News and Media, Department of Global Communications
Rapporteurs:
Breakout Networking Circle #5: Tackling Discrimination: Fostering Diversity through Inclusion and Belonging
Discussion Leads:
Tahil Sharma
Regional Coordinator for North America, United Religion Initiative (URI)
Adanma Yisa
Director and Founder, Black Coconut Ltd; Diversity Communications Consultant, UNDP
Rapporteurs:
Breakout Networking Circle #6: Meeting the Challenges: Preventing and Countering Terrorism in a Digital World
Discussion Leads:
Rapporteurs:
Rinor Jani
Pathways To Peace; Member, DGC Civil Society Youth Representatives Steering Committee
Sarah Dantsoho
Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
Closing Plenary
For this Civil Society Briefing, we called for rapporteurs to take notes of key discussion points and to join the discussion leads to report to the plenary on key takeaways from each Breakout Networking Circle. Please note that this call is now closed.
Resources
- Sustainable Development: Achieving Breakthroughs with Our Common Agenda: Our Common Agenda | Summary
- Climate Justice and Gender Equality: Civil Society Briefing: Intersection of Gender and Climate
- Intergenerational collaboration: Having Meaningful Impact: Intergenerational Issues Factsheet
- Comms 123: Advocacy and Outreach in times of COVID-19: https://shareverified.com/
- Tackling Discrimination: Fostering Diversity through Inclusion and Belonging: Equality and Non-discrimination
- Meeting the Challenges: Preventing and Countering Terrorism in a Digital World: https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/cybersecurity
Bios
A heart-centered paradigm shifter, Nadine is committed to co-creating a world that places compassion, communities, and ecosystems at the root of positive change. She holds a Masters in Environmental Policy from Lehigh University. Nadine is an environmental & human rights activist, a facilitator, a resilience & alignment coach, consultant, writer, and public speaker.
She currently serves as Vice President of GNEC. She became a Director on the Global NGO Executive Committee at just 21 years old, the first young person to serve in this capacity.
She serves as an NGO Youth Representative to the United Nations for the Australia-based NGO, Caring & Living As Neighbours, is a Director on the board of Indigenous NCDs, an Associate with the International Institute for Child Rights and Development, and is a co-author of both the Global Youth Climate Action Declaration and the Phoenix Manifesto.
She’s currently co-creating "Emergence of Heart", a film project using a "feel to heal" approach to the climate crisis while weaving together critical reflections on eco-anxiety, identity, whiteness, gender, & responsibility.
As Founder & President of Conscious Consulting LLC, she supports organizations as a partner in organizational evolution, creative strategic development, and workshop design & facilitation. Her work focuses on justice, sustainability, resilience, conscious communication, and defining & aligning with purpose.
Daniel Perell joined the Baha'i International Community’s United Nations Office as a Representative in 2011. His areas of work include social and sustainable development, global citizenship, human rights, the role of religion in society, and defense of the Baha'i Community. He is formerly a Global Organizing Partner of the NGO Major Group and the Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development.
In 2010, Mr. Perell received a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and an MA in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and was admitted to the New York State Bar Association.
Mr. Perell has worked with the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva, the UN in Aceh, Indonesia and other organizations in the Marshall Islands and Chile.
Hana Shono is the Deputy-Executive Director of the International Young Leaders Organization (IYLO), an organisation dedicated to involving young leaders in decision-making processes at the UN and beyond. She is also a member of the International Young Leaders Council (IYLC), an independent entity working globally in support of the Our Common Agenda, and has played a key role in the organisation of the launch of the IYLC and its informal ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2022 event. Miss Shono also serves as Vice Chair of United Nations Association Scotland (UNAS), a civil society organisation working towards achieving the UN goals at grassroots levels, and represents UNAS at Wellbeing Economy (WEAll) and United Nations Association-UK (UNA-UK) meetings and events. She is also involved as the Human Rights Coordinator at UN House Scotland – the outreach arm of UNAS – advocating for the implementation of humanitarian principles into Human Rights Law, and a host of the UNHS Podcast, which tackles various global issues in the context of the UN and the SDGs. Miss Shono also has a keen interest in drug policy reform. She serves as Deputy Chair of the United Nations Association-UK (UNA-UK) Conference Committee and holds a Master of Arts in History at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and a Master of Arts in History at University College London (UCL).
Joshua is an education and decent work policy advocate who is passionate about positive youth development and sustainable community development. He is the Executive Director of the Nigeria Youth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Network, a coalition of youth-led civil society organizations localizing the 2030 Agenda using storytelling, advocacy, leadership development and collaboration for community development. Through his work, he advocates for the rights of young people from disadvantaged communities and their active participation in the developmental agenda of his country.
Jessica Li
Graduated with BA Honors in Economics and International Relations, Jessica received a departmental citation for undergraduate achievement in International Relations. She is a working professional who is passionate about community service and public service. As a community liaison, she commits to create space for dialogue and action-taking to bring about principles of envision, enlightenment, and empowerment while expressing the importance of promoting mutual understanding to work towards societal betterment. Jessica has effectively communicated with constituents and organizations, planned forums and events, and researched and analyzed legislative bills and proposals. Because of her academic achievement and passion for community betterment, she earned recognitions and honors throughout the years. Her engagements and interests include education, art, science, climate literacy and climate education, public affairs and diplomatic relations, health and wellbeing, and empowerment and civic engagement. Her diverse background, and having worked with members from different communities, have given perspectives on how to approach different topics to uplift and empower communities.
Esra Sergi Bertani, joined the United Nations (UN) in 2014, works in the Climate Action Team within the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. In her current role, Esra acts as the digital media lead in implementing the SG’s Climate Action Strategy and co-manages the ActNow campaign - the UN's global call to individual action on climate change and sustainability. Prior to that, she worked in the Strategic Communications Division of the Department of Global Communications (DGC), designing and implementing communications strategies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acted as the Department’s social media focal point for the SDGs. Previously, she worked as an Associate Communications Officer in the Advocacy Section of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and as a Press Officer in the Meetings Coverage Section of DGC. Prior to joining the UN, she worked as a Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA. She holds a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Pennsylvania State University in State College, United States and a B.S. in International Relations from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. She is a national of Turkey.
Osama Rizvi is an Energy and Economic Analyst with special focus on Energy Transitions in the Global South. Through his research he tries to highlight various factors in the developing countries and try to inculcate them into the wider energy debates. Through his work he is trying to reframe the narrative around climate change and its solutions and redefine the very debate. He also writes widely for various print and digital media outlets across the world. He was also the former Non Executive Director of U.S. Pakistan Inter-cultural Coalition.
Aishwarya Narasimhadevara is the youth representative to the World Yoga Community, an NGO dedicated to raising awareness on yoga through inter-faith discussions. She is an individual wishing to make a difference in society like others. She is also involved in youth advocacy related projects and interested in the importance of Education in the field of International Development. She has been involved with various non-government organizations working in the field of education, the environment, and culture. She has a Master’s in International Development from the University of Kent-Brussels School of International Studies in Brussels, Belgium. She is also currently reading for a Ph.D. in International Development at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. Travelling is a passion of hers and she enjoys seeing new places. She also enjoys learning, taking photos, and practicing karate.
Thiloka Yapa is a graduate from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Currently she serves as the Director of Public Policy at IVolunteer International while serving as a Youth Representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications.
Margo LaZaro, President and Chair of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY. She is Co-Founder & CSO of the SDG IMargo Lazaro Biompact Awards Community. Margo is a Coordinating Partner of the UN2020. She is the Director of UN Relations for Global Family, and Chair of the Board of Advisors for Youth for a Better World/Montessori Model UN, Youth Impact! Forum and she represents the Huairou Commission at the UN. She a proud to be a Board member of Soroptimist International Metro New York Chapter and a Climate Reality Project Leader. She is a Designer/Artist & Activist who has been dedicated to impactful causes including the SDGs with over thirty years of experience at the United Nations and globally. She has worked within the UN Community as a Chief Developer of meetings, conferences and Special Events. She collaborates with all stakeholders in developing inclusive and impactful programs and projects that include the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She is the Convener of the NGO Major Group Urban Thematic Cluster, as well as a member of the Women’s Major Group for the UN High Level Political Forum. Margo has been mainly focused on connecting all areas of the 17 SDGs. She passionately champions SDG 17 on Building Partnerships and she believes in the NGOCSD-NY motto: "Turn Your Passions into Actions for Change.” The NGOCSD-NY has been proud to be a Partner of the UN Secretary General’s UN75 Anniversary Dialogues and the UN Friends of World Ocean Day/Week initiative. Margo brings entrepreneurs of all ages and the private sector into United Nations discourse to foster support for the success of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, so we “Leave No One Behind.”
Conor Lennon is a features producer in the News and Media Division of the Department for Global Communication (DGC), based at UN Headquarters in New York. He works across the 9 UN News languages, commissioning and writing stories that illustrate the many ways in which the work of the UN is supporting the vulnerable, and making a difference in some of the most troubled parts of the world.
Prior to joining the UN Conor worked in England and Switzerland as a communications consultant and broadcaster for, amongst others, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and the BBC.
Saffin Mathew is the Programs Director at the 1 Million for 1 Billion Foundation (1M1B), a non-profit organization with special consultative status to the UN ECOSOC and associated with the UN DGC. He is passionate about activating youth for the SDGs and champions for AI Youth Skills and Youth Climate Action. At 1M1B, Saffin oversees the conceptualization and management of the programs bringing youth together to achieve the SDGs using new age tools and technologies. He works closely with global leaders and organizations to mobilize and engage youth for global impact. His commitment to propel youth from intent to action has resulted in activation of over 100,000 young boys and girls as part of the different 1M1B programs.
Saffin is also associated with the global TED community since 2012 and is the curator of TEDx Lavelle Road, one of the top TEDx events in India. He believes in the power of storytelling to evoke empathy, drive advocacy and achieve positive change.
Ashley currently serves as a representative of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to the United Nations, and a social science research assistant and project coordinator of Tzu Chi’s community development project in the Republic of Sierra Leone. She is also part of the Youth Steering Committee of the United Nations Department of Global Communications Civil Society Unit. She is also a youth advocate of the Youth Voices for Climate Action, an Ambassador of TeachSDGs, and a Mover of the Movers Programme. She is currently pursuing her Master studies in Sustainable Development Management at Sunway University, Malaysia. An advocate for climate action and environmental protection, she works with other young people to build community with responsible and sustainable lifestyle.
Saratu Bawa Bulama is an activist and a passionate humanitarian work with great zeal to help the poor vulnerable house hold across the Northeastern part of Nigeria. It's her earnest goal to reach out to the people with special abilities (the disable) in making there career dream achievable, and just like that struggle for gender equality there.
Alibe is a seasoned professional in nonprofit administration, project management, corporate communications, digital production, and marketing. A successful fundraiser and event manager with complementary skills in strategic partnerships, team building, and staff training. She has a solid foundation in community affairs, criminal justice, human rights, research, and policy analysis, which informs a passion for global affairs, diplomacy, and sustainability practices in the private and public sectors. Alibe has an innate ability to successfully connect groups and people of diverse backgrounds, which she continues to demonstrate as a moderator and most recently as the producer and host of her YouTube channel “Alibe’s Sustainable World.”
Today, Alibe promotes the UN mission, the 2030 Agenda, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and encourages partnerships between outside organizations and the UN. As a native of Chile, she has traveled across continents, experienced different cultures, and learned about the need to address global issues through multilateral approaches. Working with local and international NGOs at the UN has allowed her to understand better the needs and the struggles of nonprofit organizations, the value of corporations through their CSR involvement, and the impact they can bring to communities globally by working together.
Mariella Florimonte currently serves as Treasurer for the Minority Pre-Health Association at the East Carolina University chapter, and is a member of SustainECU and Re:Leaf, sustainable development projects for rural communities. These projects include Adopt a Street, Garden and Orchard Workdays, and culvert cleanups. She has also been co-author in 3 research publications, and principal investigator in a qualitative study of the impact of COVID-19 on undergraduate relationships. She also serves as Secretary of the College Diabetes Network.
Levy Nyirenda is a Regional Focal Point for East and Southern Africa in the Humanitarian Affairs Working Group of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth. Volunteer for World Food Forum and a former Technical Officer Intern at the National Institute for Scientific Research and Industrial Research. He did a diploma programme in Food and Nutrition at the Natural Resources Development College of the University of Zambia.
Tahil Sharma is the Regional Coordinator for North America at the United Religions Initiative, the world’s largest grassroots network and movement for interfaith cooperation. Tahil has been working on efforts for pluralism and justice for 10 years, focusing on the intersection of faith, politics, and justice, sharing his perspective from the Hindu and Sikh traditions. Tahil serves as a board member of Sadhana: A Coalition of Progressive Hindus and as an Interfaith Minister in Residence for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
She is a strategist, facilitator, researcher, and writer with a deep interest in power, anti-racism and decolonisation. Adanma has held positions across organisational development, fundraising and stakeholder engagement. Her approach is informed by critical diversity literacy, systems thinking, and the principles of a thinking environment.
Adanma holds a Law with Politics undergraduate degree from The University of Manchester. She completed her postgraduate studies at Wits University where she obtained a Masters with distinction in Critical Diversity Studies, a Development Studies Honours degree, and a certificate in Development Communications. Adanma is an alumna of the Common Purpose United Diaspora Leadership Programme.
Adanma is a Nigerian woman who was born and raised in the UK. She has resided in her chosen home of Johannesburg, for the past ten years.
Wantoe Teah Wantoe is an SDGs campaigner, Climate and human right activist and student leader. He is a Double Major of Public Policy and Sociology with concentration in Criminology at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Wantoe is a consistent voice at articulating policy prescription for the plethora of crises in Liberia. Evidence of his impeccable leadership and commitment to solving societal issues, Wantoe was awarded as a 2020 Friend of Humanity Distinguished Alumni Award , by the Friendship Ambassador Foundations. In June, he was awarded by a US college in New York, College of Mount Saint Vincent, The Vincent De Paul Award for his contribution to global enlightenment, student’s consciousness and systemic change. He is a certified 2019 Obama Foundation Leadership Asset and Dialogue Alumni. In addition, a 2019 Princess Diana Award Recipient, A 2018 Global Young Voices SDGs Champion Winner And a 2017 FAF Humanitarian Impact Winner Humanitarian Impact Winner among several recognitions. These recognitions landed with numerous impacts in resolving world issues that require his critical leadership skills, teamwork and a deep sense of humanity. In 2016, He was invited by the then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien to deliver a preliminary statement at the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey. His Speech generated over 3,000 commitments to action and more than a dozen new partnerships and initiatives for a meaningful change in our world.
Max Amanu is the Programme Officer of Northwind Foundation and volunteers as the Research Team Lead for East and Southern Africa region in the UNESCO Youth As Researchers (YAR): COVID-19 Pandemic Response Project. He is also a Member of UNESCO SDG4Youth Network. Max is an International Development enthusiast, Peace Builder, Researcher, and SDGs Advocate. He is empowering youth from low-income families through education and skills training as a means of reducing inequality, youth unemployment and alleviating poverty in Uganda. Max holds an Honors Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
As a former African Union Youth Advisory Council in an appointed role by H.E H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in this role, Petrider worked to expand the African Union Commission’s youth engagement and advocacy efforts across the following departments –Bureau of the Chairperson, Economic Development Trade, Industry and Mining, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Political Affairs, Peace and Security including Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) and led the coordination of youth engagement with border communities to counter-trafficking and illegal migration by promoting peace and security in the East African Community under the EAC Youth Ambassadors Platform – AU-GIZ Border Programme support to the RECs.
Originally from The United Republic of Tanzania, Petrider Paul has worked extensively on youth development and participation, and has played a key role in transforming the youth development sector in her home country, she holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Dodoma and a Post-Graduate in Economic Diplomacy from the Center for Foreign Relations in the – United Republic of Tanzania, a Points of Light Awardee recipient from Her Majesty the Queen II 2018 for her voluntary work to campaign to end child marriage and Gender-based violence in the Commonwealth.
Caroline Thomas works at the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Special Projects & Innovation Branch, in the External Partnerships Section. Her role focuses on strengthening systems and platforms for engagement with external stakeholders, in particular with civil society. Caroline is also a Director at Adyan Foundation, a Lebanese civil society organization that works to prevent extremism and foster social cohesion across the MENA region. Previously, Caroline worked with the UN in Sierra Leone and Papua New Guinea.
Rinor Jani (Albania) is a Representative of Pathways to Peace to the United Nations. He also serves on the United Nations Department of Global Communications Youth Steering Committee. He is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Human Rights at Columbia University in New York City, United States. In his statement, Mr. Jani introduces his advocacy work for nuclear disarmament in Albania and the Balkan region.
Sarah Dantsoho Monday Tama is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry for over nine years, An Ambassador for the International Federation of Gender and Human Rights (NY, USA), Mediation Skills and Conflict Management (MBBI-IPTI- USA), Critical Thinking, Criminal Profiling, Customer Service; Associate Chartered Disaster and Safety Manager (USA); UNODC- Drug Prevention, Treatment & Care (DPTC) Trainer; Intelligence and Security; Women and Girls Rights Advocate; Proficiency Certificate on Humanitarian Services and NGO Management; Cancer Navigator, Certified Project Manager (PMP); Health & Safety Executive; Strategic Planning; Public Speaking; and Research. Strong military and protective services professional.