BY TASKINUL HUDA SAQUIB, STAFF REPORTER
When I type this article down, the earth is then completely shattered by the dreadful attack of Covid-19. Our job markets have fallen into the abyss, young people are strolling around the world as unemployed, countries are striving with the reconstruction plans and moreover questions are being put down the table of the policy makers regarding their ineffectiveness to solve such a crisis. It’s a very hard time for all of us, again contradictorily we can count it as a chance in a million to rearrange our overall system and restart a new economic bloom. But what is the way? How can we create a new pathway for leading ourselves to a new economic era ? Why do we need more and more innovative ideas to stand out in that age and how can we procure them ? As a young boy or girl, these questions might arouse in your minds so often and you feel difficulties in getting them answered. So, to quench yours and thousand other youths’ curiosities, MUN Impact fixed a particular day for discussing the effective way of youth employment and innovation and let you all connect with the most active person in international business world and economic field grounds. And the day is 4th September, the second day of the 3E Summit. Let’s dive into the details of event, speakers and timetable :
09:00-10:00 UTC
HOW TO LAUNCH A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN JUST A MONTH
This workshop will provide you with a complete roadmap on how to start your own organization, from finding an idea/ pitch to launching, you will get to know everything. Our panelist will also whisper to you all the tips and secrets that they learned throughout their journey. So, ready to use your talents for social good? Sign up for the workshop now!
Speaker : We’ve got the most impressive and talented innovator Priyal Agarwal for this workshop. She is from Farrukhabad, India. She is an independent researcher, nowadays working in a legal literacy program that helps 10000+ people and an amateur app developer.
11:00-12:30 UTC
OPEN FORUM: ECONOMY – EFFECTIVE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND INNOVATION AS A KEY TO A WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC BLOOM
The term “open forum” refers to the open exchange of ideas and information, usually to better the common good. During the open forum we’ll discuss the ideas, listen to the success stories of our speakers and map out a way to address the issue of Youth Employment and Innovation and the many ways this issue is being addressed in our own communities. You, being a participant, can take the floor anytime, then share your thoughts and network with like-minded youth.
Speakers: We’re feeling blessed to have such an amazing panel of speakers for this workshop that we ourselves are also planning to stay with them throughout the time being a participant. Here they are:
☆Kenneth Kwok: Mr. Kenneth Kwok is the Founder and CEO of Global Citizen Capital, an impact-oriented healthcare, biotech, logistics, technology and education focused multi-family office investment venture based out of Hong Kong.
☆Aurora Chiste: Aurora is the founder of global fashion brand Maakola and the energy company Ray Power Africa, both created to generate a real and tangible impact, while promoting a new idea of wealth at the same time. In 2012, while still in San Francisco, Aurora founded the nonprofit Hack for Big Choices. Bringing together tech, innovation and communities, the company was intended to bridge the innovation gap, using the power of entrepreneurship to overcome the development barriers by supporting grassroots initiatives. In the same year, Aurora also became a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum.
☆Edison Gbenga Ade: He is also a Tech Evangelist and teaches people how to code. He has already trained more than 3000 people so far. The goal is 50,000 people in the next five years. He is recognized as a serial entrepreneur, spoken word artist and God driven personality.
☆Martin Stavenhagen: Co-founder and Director of Get Circular with SD Consulting. Policy consultant, facilitator/trainer and project manager with 12 years of experience researching and implementing sustainable development and capacity building in Asia and Europe. His main focus on climate innovation, circular economy, environmental policy, urban governance and innovative cities, and capacity building for sustainable development.
11:00-12:00 UTC
SMART CITIES AND THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
In this workshop, our adorable speaker will explore the effects of the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence in the smart cities of the future. Utilising three outlined technologies, smart and dynamic cities can emerge. The smart cities that form will give rise to the fourth industrial revolution, enabling great economic growth in developed and developing nations. Those who attend the workshop will learn about the three technologies and their impacts on our future world and other SDGs. It will also show the attendees how smart cities can utilize the three deep technologies to improve the economy and beyond.
Speaker : And now you might wonder who this person is. He is none other than Micah Nkrumah-Ardayfio, a high schooler at St.Albans in Washington, DC. He deals with the SDG and tries to introduce it through his research and development company. During the last two years, he has founded and led a 501(c)(3) R&D company that aims to improve the world through smart city infrastructure. So, undoubtedly he’s the best fit for this purpose.
11:00-12:00 UTC
SUSTAINABLE HOW ?
You might believe that sustainability only comes when we talk about the environment or the factors that directly affect our environment. But it’s a misconception; throughout this workshop our brilliant speaker Mr. Eric Johnson will break down the myths around sustainability and frame out two most important strategies that we all should follow if we want to live in a sustainable future. So, to rid out your misunderstandings and prepare you for building a sustainable life, don’t miss out on this event, tune in the aforementioned time zone.
Speaker : Mr. Eric Johnson is currently pursuing his M.A. in Columbia University. In professional life, he is the head organizer of The Everyday Innovation Lab, a social project that improves social entrepreneurship in rural communities.
13:00-14:00 UTC
PLENARY SESSION
On Day 2 of plenaries, we’ll be inviting Brighton Kaoma, a radio journalist, environmental activist, and youth empowerment leader. We’ll also take a general test about your knowledge of the world and more. Don’t worry, it’s just for arousing your curiosities and pointing out your weaknesses. Then our panelist will take the floor, explain every factor through his dynamic presentation skills and allow you to deepen your understanding of the issues we face around Equity, discover the progress made, and what still needs to be done.
Speaker : Though we’ve already introduced our keynote speaker for this plenary session, we would like to let you know a bit about his achievements. He is currently an MPA graduate from Columbia University with a vast track record in working at the intersection of sustainable business. For his work, he has already been awarded and recognized by President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, Angela Merkel, WWF International President, UN Environment, and Junior Chamber International.
14:30-16:30 UTC
SDG SANDBOXES : ECONOMY AND EQUITY
Now we’re going to do something practical. Sandbox is basically an event designed just for you. There will be no speaker, no host except our Sandbox team members for your guidance and the floor will have in your hand throughout this two hours. After a short description of how you will be conducting this workshop, developing your ideas and creating a concise roadmap in collaboration with all of the participants, our team members will let you lobby, negotiate, argue and finally come out with a complete plan of action for implementing a SDG that aligns with the two main teams for the day: Economy and Equity
14:30-15:30 UTC
SDG 8: WHAT HAS COVID-19 CHANGED?
Now, you might confuse for some moments how learning from COVID-19 can help us to boost our economy. As I mentioned at the very beginning this time is a chance in a million and if we can utilize it properly, there’s no doubt about our success in drafting a new system for our world. Our two members from MUN Impact will resonate the same truth through this workshop and discuss the initiatives that have already been taken by UN to reorder our system being inspired by the loses during COVID-19 and moreover some of the basic works regarding the youth involvement in this new world building campaign conducted by our community and our colleagues from 100k deeds.
Presenters: We have chosen two inspiring young leaders for this workshop. Here’s a short introduction of themselves:
☆María Teresa Egea: She is a 17-year-old student from Spain. She has been partaking in MUN for the past two and a half years, and it has been an eye-opener for her life. She have also been performing her duty in MUN Impact for just under a year.
☆Tanisha Saxena: Tanisha currently lives in Al Wakra, Qatar, and an Indian by nationality. She’s 14 years old and will be going into Year 10 soon. She has been a part of MUN Impact for 8 months, throughout the SDGHubs, 100k deeds challenge, and the GS 3.0 team.
14:30-15:30 UTC
CHANGING LIVES, FROM ONE SIDE OF THE WORLD TO ANOTHER
You may face a student on your way who maybe similar to your age or inferior, but not in your position from any perspective. He has no good resources, no academic facility, no skills to compete in 21st century. You, as a philanthropist, instantly feel for doing something for him, helping him, lending your supportive hands. But it’s not easy like saying. You should have passion, resilience, commitment and moreover ideas to start up such a volunteering activity. So, how can you get that idea, acquire that kind of passion and drive your interests? To get your questions answered, join with Alex Hu who is the presenter of this workshop. He will explain every possible challenge and barrier to establish your own volunteering organisation and show a real life example of his speech going through the EFA (Education For All) foundation’s activities.
☆Alex Hu : He is the founder of the Education For All Foundation (EFA) and an incoming freshman at Babson College where he will be studying the intersections of psychology and philosophy with business. He is a competitive chess player and an avid reader. He earnestly believes that everyone has the capacity to do good, and always ready to help more people realize that capacity.
15:30-16:30 UTC
INJUSTICES INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL (IDD) DISABILITIES FACE
Sometimes we have lack of understanding in what it is like to walk in the shoes of another, especially for an individual with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Often individuals with an IDD are put into the shadows of society and always having to take a back seat to social justice conversations. Throughout this session one will gain a new perspective of walking the path with an individual who has an IDD, as our speakers Margo and Michelle describe the true inhumane treatments conducted such as shocking for behavior treatment, leading the conversation the daily struggles of dating diving into the inadequate focus on disabled romantic relationships. To wrap up the session, they will also invite two special guests (two Best Buddies International Global Ambassadors) to provide insight on how to easily adapt yourself and organization’s behavior to be more inclusive of all abilities.
☆Michelle Raitman, born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, discovered Best Buddies in high school and became the vice president there in her senior year. She also served as the Co-President at her university – the University of Toronto Scarborough. She is now one of two first-ever Canadian leaders. She studies psychology and international development. This year, she will be focusing on completing an undergraduate thesis. In the future, she aspires to become a clinical psychologist and provide mental health support to underprivileged communities.
☆Margo Meley
Margo joined Best Buddies in 2016 while finishing her Associate’s Degree in General Studies at Quinebaug Valley Community College. She has continued her involvement in the Best Buddies Eastern Connecticut State University college chapter program where she is currently paired with her buddy Natalie, who she considers her apart of her girl squad. “I just love that Natalie doesn’t see my challenges; she just sees me.” her an inspiration to anyone who meets her. Margo’s ambitions and passion to not only advocate for herself and others sets her apart from anyone else. But she didn’t get there overnight. When Margo has a dream, she sees it through. She worked as a member on the Best Buddies Young Leaders Council in 2020 and as of January 2021 she was elected to be an incoming co-chair for the 2022-2024 term.
☆Jack Mayor
Jack is 17 and a soon-to-be senior at Neuqua Valley High School in Illinois. He became an Ambassador for Best Buddies last year. Statistics show that one in 68 kids are diagnosed with autism and it affects one in 42 boys around the world. He is one of those 42 boys. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of six. We’re eagerly waiting to hear his story about this 11 years journey with autism and all of his inspirations.
☆Kellie Howard
Kellie “Boo” Howard has been a part of Best Buddies since 2009. She had accomplished so many leadership pillars in this institution like YLC alum, Board of Directors alum Current Global Ambassador of Best Buddies and so on. She is also working with the Job Program and Citizen Program and work for the Company Kforce as a Social media Specialist on the Reconnection team. Her favorite things are Social media and Food and Music and Family and helping others.
So, here’s our bunch of activities we’re going to do in the second day of our Summit. And as an outcome, we would like to spread our messages throughout the world to reinvent a new method, new platform and new definition of economy and equity which will help us to get our dreams around SDGs successful by 2030.