Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
PRESIDENT ESPINOSA HIGHLIGHTS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND MULTILATERALISM IN LECTURE AT US UNIVERSITY
The President of the General Assembly has spoken this morning to students at the William Paterson University, in the US state of New Jersey.
Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa delivered the Spring 2019 Tinker Lecture on the United Nations in the Age of Nationalism and Making the UN Relevant to All.
She spoke to an audience of approximately 150 students and staff members of the Political Science & Latin American and Latino Studies Programme.
The PGA talked about the importance of youth empowerment and its engagement to help solve global challenges such as climate change.
She said that young people have “tremendous power as citizens” and that “governments are more likely to support international cooperation and initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals if they think their voters care.”
The President of the General Assembly also mentioned the power young people have as activists either online or in their communities.
Ms. Espinosa noted that the present young generation is highly educated and creative with a clear understanding of the crucial role which multilateralism plays nowadays.
Following her lecture, the PGA answered questions on nuclear disarmament, peace and security, gender equality, young people and the UN, refugees and migrants and the current situation in Venezuela, amongst other topics.
Since taking office Ms. Espinosa has spoken at several universities and interacted directly with students on the priorities of her agenda which include youth, peace and security. This is part of the PGA’s efforts to bring the UN closer to people and people closer to the UN.
More details on our website: www.un.org/pga/73
SAVE THE DATE: INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY
For your diaries: Monday next week, 22 April, the General Assembly will hold an interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature in Commemoration of the International Mother Earth Day.
The objective of the interactive dialogue is to encourage all countries and relevant stakeholders to further promote the integration of collective climate action in education taking into account innovative paradigms and other steps. The theme is “Mother Earth approach in the implementation of Education and Climate Change”.
Participants include Member States, United Nations entities, independent experts and other relevant stakeholders. Environmental action is one of the seven priorities of the PGA’s for the current session.
The event will be held at the Trusteeship Council from 10 am. to 6 pm.
Please see the programme: https://www.un.org/pga/73/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2019/04/8-April-Concept-note-Harmony-with-nature.pdf
PGA’S AGENDA
Ms. Espinosa’s day started very early again with a breakfast meeting at the Canadian Mission, where she held a discussion with executives from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on financing for development and other issues. She later delivered a lecture to students at William Paterson University in New Jersey.
This afternoon, the PGA will take part in an interactive dialogue with representatives of the World Bank, IMF, World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
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