Seven young New Zealanders attended the AFS Youth Assembly in New York City in August 2024. This was the first time we sent a delegation from Aotearoa to this global event.
Let’s hear what our rangatahi got up to in New York!
Meg from Christchurch
Day 1 of the Youth Assembly began with visiting the United Nations Headquarters to celebrate International Youth Day. It was very special to attend and a highlight of the conference for me. The other two days we had the opportunity to participate in panels, workshops & networking sessions focused around Humanitarian Crises, Future of Education, Climate Action and Food Security. It was really interesting to hear from leaders in those fields.
A key takeaway for me is that young people deserve a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions towards shaping a better world. Secondly, the Youth Assembly highlighted the importance of strengthening connections regionally and globally, aligning with the AFS mission to enhance peace and cooperation. For me personally it has reaffirmed my interest in continuing to volunteer with AFS. Seeing other young people who are making a difference also inspired me to reflect on what I can do. It was incredible to experience NYC for the first time and attend the Youth Assembly – I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity!
Bella from Auckland (based in Australia)
One of the highlights of the experience was a workshop on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where we explored how to incorporate them into our classrooms.
One of the activities we did required us to partner up with someone and create a project that could be used in the classroom.I partnered with Undram from Mongolia to develop a project focused on reducing food waste, which affects both Mongolia and Australia.
We plan to adapt Oz Harvest’s curriculum to our local contexts and facilitate cross-cultural exchanges with our students.
I got out more than I could have imagined from the Youth Assembly, but what surprised me was it was not the interesting and engaging panels and workshops that I got the most out of, it was the other delegates, especially the other educators. Since I have got back, I have kept in contact with a lot of them, and am still helping with Speak Spark, and next year I am going to go to Togo and help on the ground. Which I am very much looking forward to.
Charla from Mt. Maunganui
Several profound moments touched me deeply during the Assembly, particularly the resilience and leadership demonstrated by others in the face of unimaginable adversity. One such moment was the standing ovation we gave Lamar Zala Gran. Two years ago, Lamar escaped Afghanistan at the age of 18, confronting the harsh realities of a country where women and girls are denied fundamental rights. Her speech, which highlighted the ongoing struggle for peace, justice, and gender equality, and emphasized the critical role of youth in supporting UN Security Council Resolution 2250, was incredibly moving.
I returned with a broader perspective and a renewed sense of responsibility to do more. Currently, I am working on a cultural exchange with a school in Guatemala to support UN SDG 4 (Quality Education), intending to build global relationships and create meaningful change.
Elspeth from Gisborne
Attending the AFS Youth Assembly provided me with a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded rangatahi from all corners of the world. It gave me new perspectives on the common challenges we face and a shared sense of purpose. More importantly, it was a safe space to speak openly about the hard topics often ignored here in Aotearoa. Issues ranging from climate action to the more delicate subjects of social inequity and indigenous rights.
Coming home to an economy and social climate that presents constant challenges for young people, particularly Māori and indigenous youth. I’ve realized that we cannot wait for change to happen. The lessons I learned at the Youth Assembly have fueled a fire within me to do more, to reach higher, and to create spaces where rangatahi voices can drive the change we need. We cannot afford to be passive in the face of inequity, environmental degradation, or social exclusion. The responsibility to protect our future lies with us.
Dallas from Wellington (based in the UK)
I found the whole experience incredibly humbling. Every single person I spoke to was doing something amazing or interesting, and I was able to connect with people from AFS International, NYU, the UN, and all sorts of organisations that I never thought I would have anything to do with.
The Climate Entrepreneurship Academy was a great experience, the cohort was so engaged and interesting. Everyone had something they were working on to make the world or their communities a better place, and most of them were really grounded in their local space – co-creating with their communities and solving problems at a grassroots level. The cohort was truly the most inspiring part for me.
