NYC Junior Ambassadors
Youth engagement has long been an important part of UNA-NYC’s work, and that’s why we’re proud to participate in the NYC Junior Ambassadors (NYCJA) program, an initiative of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs which enables 7th graders in New York City to engage with the United Nations and learn about its work.
The NYCJA seeks to leverage NYC’s “unique position as host city to the UN headquarters to enable youth to see themselves as global citizens.” As the host city chapter of the United Nations Association, we are delighted to help the program achieve this goal through our collaboration with the Mott Hall School in Harlem. Following a successful first classroom discussion on May 18 leading to a capstone project (see below), we are in the process of planning further sessions in the fall.
If you are interested in your school working with UNA-NYC, please apply for the 2021-2022 program via the NYC Mayor’s Office website and write to our Executive Director, Ann Nicol, at anicol@unanyc.org.
Program News
April 26 Teach for America recognizes NYC Junior Ambassadors program
Our SDG Youth Leader, Reyna Stovall, represented UNA-NYC at the Teach for America “Leaders For This Moment” Gala dinner, which highlighted the Mayor Office’s NYC Junior Ambassador Program.
June 24 Mott Hall School Capstone Project
Following our classroom discussion on May 18th, 7th graders at the Mott Hall School completed this excellent capstone project about SDG 5.
May 18 UNA-NYC and Freedom United Empower 7th Graders to Engage with SDG 5
On Tuesday, May 18, UNA-NYC kicked off our new partnership with the Mott Hall School with a virtual classroom discussion on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), through the lens of forced child marriage.
About NYC Junior Ambassadors
NYC Junior Ambassadors is a program of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations, the NYC Department of Education, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, and the United Nations Foundation. and has since engaged over 2,000 young people and educators. Since its creation in 2015, it has served over 2,000 students and educators. The program’s main goals, taken from the website of the United Nations, are as follows:
1. Engage NYC youth with the United Nations Headquarters and the work of the UN through the SDGs
2. Increase the knowledge and understanding of the United Nations/SDGs among participants
3. Increase the capacity of educators to teach about the United Nations/SDGs
4. Increase members of the UN community exposure to and engagement with NYC
5. Build strong local and international partnerships to empower NYC youth
Learn more about the NYCJA program via the UN’s website and the website of the Mayor’s Office.