Paris, New York, April 2024. A delegation of 30 young LearningPlanet scholarship holders 12 countries represented and carried out the’Learning Planet Institute - Co-designing the future of apprenticeship with young people - at the recent ECOSOC 2024 Youth Forum, from April 16 to 18, 2024, at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2024, an annual initiative of the President of ECOSOC, has evolved into a key platform where young people can contribute their collective ideas, solutions and innovations to policy discussions at the UN. With hundreds of delegates in person and online, the forum has provided a space for dialogue and partnership.
This year, the forum focused on reviewing the progress made in achieving the sustainable development objectives (ODD) of the United Nations, in particular with regard to global poverty reduction and peace, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Summit on the future of’ United Nations General Assembly in September. Visit young LearningPlanet scholarship holders played an important role in the workshops and presentations, notably with the Ban Ki-Moon Foundation and the Global Schools Program.
The young Fellows represented diverse backgrounds and regions, with the majority of participants hailing from America and Asia, and took part in collaborative workshops and presentations. Among them were five finalists from the Youth Design Challenge by Learning Planet Institute, which took place during the LearningPlanet Festival de this year. These finalists showcased their innovative educational programs focused on fulfillment, community engagement and sustainability, highlighting the potential of youth-led innovation to reimagine the future of education.
Participants included
- Daniel Persky (USA); “Sustainable Development Career Program” to enable people of all ages to have climate-resilient careers.
- Jay Liu (Hong Kong); “Ad Bonam Fidem: the call to good faith” to cultivate a logical framework approach to conflict resolution.
- Jiatong Han (China); “NexovateI” to unite the world's youth to innovate at the crossroads of science, technology and society by promoting ethical solutions.
- Ruonan Zhao (Canada); “Fuelling Futures” to build a pleasant and safe learning environment for students, enabling them to focus on their education and their flourishing future.
- Siyona Bordia (USA); “RightfullyHers” to raise awareness of gender disparities in healthcare and other sectors through an apprenticeship program.
In collaboration with eminent partners such as the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, the Global Schools Program and UNESCO's SDG4 Youth and Students network, the young fellows also took part in sessions designed to foster exchanges between students and educators, promoting learning programs that advance the SDGs.
Highlights
The Planet Apprenticeship Institute, including its young members, as well as KidsforSDGs and other partners, have led initiatives to amplify youth engagement and foster collaboration in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- ECOSOC plenary sessionsThese sessions focused mainly on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and preparations for the next Future Summit of the United Nations General Assembly in September. Despite limited interaction, LearningPlanet Youth Fellows were able to participate in the dialogue, advocating for greater collaboration and inclusive youth engagement.
- Reception of Learning for Global CitizenshipThe Ban Ki-Moon Foundation and the Global Schools Program co-hosted an evening reception with the Learning Planet Institute and KidsforSDGs, bringing together 120 delegates to explore ways of integrating young people in the advancement of global citizenship. Breakout sessions led by the Learning Planet Institute team and young Fellows delved deeper into global citizenship learning programs. LearningPlanet Young Fellows took the opportunity to make recommendations for global citizenship learning programs, and the finalists of the Planetizen University Youth Design Challenge were also able to present their innovative learning programs.
Notable participants in this session included delegations from the Senegalese and Congolese youth ministries, as well as directors of the Global Student Forum, UNESCO's youth and student network for SDG4, the Global Schools Program and the Ban Ki Moon Foundation.
-Online sessions : online events have broadened the scope of dialogue and facilitated exchanges. Bui Gia Khan - a finalist in the Planetizen University Youth Design Challenge - presented his innovative learning program to over 200 delegates at the ECOSOC Global Curriculum online side event. In addition, LearningPlanet student and team member Ilia Lysenko co-hosted a UNESCO online event on peace education.
Ed Stevenette, coordinator of the youth community at LearningPlanet at the Learning Planet Institute, expressed her enthusiasm about the participation: “We were privileged to be one of the largest youth delegations at the ECOSOC Youth Forum, bringing the voices of young people who are changing the game in education. Our Fellows make a compelling case for co-creating new learning paradigms with young people at the heart of the SDG agenda.”
The participation of LearningPlanet Youth Fellows at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024 testifies to the vital role of education in promoting sustainability and peace in the world.
” The best aspects of the Learning for Global Citizenship event were its inclusivity and diversity. There were lively conversations, vibrant exchanges of ideas, engaging discussions about solutions, which is different from the formal plenary session speeches delivered by designated speakers in the room. I was grateful and honored to be invited to present to the participants a learning program I developed as part of the UNESCO/Learning Planet Planetizen Design Challenge (...) ” - Daniel Persky
” After the ECOSOC 2024 Youth Forum, I'm filled with a mixture of emotions, but I still have hope. The inspiring experiences, discussions and connections have reaffirmed my belief in the power of youth to drive positive change. “Jiatong (Annie) Han
Next steps
Following the ECOSOC Youth Forum, the Learning Planet Institute and its LearningPlanet community are committed to removing barriers to access and exploring opportunities for greater youth participation in international events.
The Institute will continue to provide young people with the tools and support they need to turn their innovative ideas into effective solutions through its training program exclusive for Youth Design Challenge finalists. With dedicated mentors and a strong framework, we are committed to fostering the growth of young people's educational ideas.
For more information on the Learning Planet Institute, Youth Fellows and the ECOSOC 2024 Youth Forum program, interested parties are invited to contact Edward Stevenette at edward.stevenette@learningplanetinstitute.org.
About the Learning Planet Institute and its LearningPlanet alliance
Based in Paris, the Learning Planet Institute is an interdisciplinary learning community that explores and shares new modes of cooperation that meet the needs of young people and the planet. Since 2019, in partnership with’UNESCO, Learning Planet Institute manages the’LearningPlanet Alliance , which encourages concrete collaboration between hundreds of partners worldwide, rethinking education. The Youth Fellows are an inspiring community of 500 young change-makers from over 75 countries, who aspire to transform the education sector and beyond.
ABOUT LEARNING PLANET INSTITUTE: Since 2006, the Learning Planet Institute has been dedicated to reinventing learning for all ages (lifelong learning) using collective intelligence to build sustainable, inclusive societies.
capable of meeting the complex challenges we face. The Institute's mission is to explore, experiment and share new ways of learning and cooperating to meet the needs of young people and the planet. By encouraging and disseminating a culture, methods and tools of empowerment, it transforms organizations. Ultimately, it guides communities and supports “learning citizens” to care for themselves, others and the planet.
ABOUT THE LEARNINGPLANET INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE: Created in 2019 by the Learning Planet Institute and UNESCO, the International Alliance is a global community of practice dedicated to transforming education and co-constructing a learning society. The LearningPlanet Alliance brings together diverse and complementary players (NGOs, public players, cities and regions, schools and universities, social entrepreneurs, companies, students, youth movements, activists, artists, etc.) committed to a common goal: teaching people to ”take care of themselves, others and the planet“.
