1:00 – 1:45 p.m. ET

Join us for the official kick off to the 2022 UNA-USA Global Engagement Summit! After a warm welcome from outside UN Headquarters in New York City, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, will provide keynote remarks. We’ll also be joined by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed who will outline the importance of the U.S. working together with the world to respond to global challenges and why advocates like you are critical to maintaining a strong U.S.-UN partnership. 

Opening Plenary

  • Rachel Bowen Pittman, Executive Director, UNA-USA
  • Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
  • Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General 
  • Akash Patel and Bettina Hausmann, UNA-USA GES Planning Committee Co-Chairs

1:45 – 1:55 p.m. ET

Trivia & 1:1 Networking

2 – 2:30 p.m. ET • Mid-Program Plenary

MOBILIZE | The U.S. and UN Partnership

The United States and the United Nations have had a longstanding and complex relationship through various U.S. administrations.  However, the U.S. is one of the United Nations’ most important stakeholders, not only because of the US serving as host to UN headquarters in New York, but because Americans have indicated a desire for their country to play an active role in multilateralism and within the UN. Hear from Amb. Jeffrey DeLaurentis and Representative French Hill (AR-02), as they explore the partnership between the United States and the United Nations.

  • Amb. Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Senior Advisor for Special Political Affairs (POL), U.S. Mission to the United Nations
  • Rep. French Hill, Representative for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District 
  • Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign and Senior Vice President, United Nations Foundation

Engage Now! Take Action:

  1. Learn more about the United States Mission to the UN (USUN) here.
  2. Tweet this! | Thank you @UNAUSA for bringing together global leaders and elected officials at the Global Engagement Summit to share the importance of a strong #USUN partnership, and how I can take action to show my support for the @UN and its agencies. https://bit.ly/GES2022 #USAforUN
  3. As we continue to face numerous global challenges, it’s imperative that the U.S. works together with the world to address them. Send a message to your elected officials to urge them to support full funding for the UN and its agencies.
  4. Learn more about how your state supports the UN using our interactive map.

2:30 – 2:38 p.m. ET

Trivia & 1:1 Networking

2:40 – 3:10 p.m. ET • Breakout Sessions

EDUCATE | Untangling the UN

The United Nations, the world’s largest organization, is part of the UN system which includes funds, programs, and specialized agencies.  Join this fun and interactive program to learn more about the agencies, the work behind the acronyms—what are SDGs?—and the results behind the campaigns while understanding how you can contribute to a more equitable, just, and healthy world. Aish Machani will provide a youth-oriented view about the future that we want for all generations and “Our Future Agenda.”

  • Aish Machani, United Nations Foundation Next Generation Fellow
  • Robb Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, United Nations
  • Marielle Ali, UNA-USA National Council Vice Chair

Engage Now! Take Action:

  1. Want to know more about the UN? Check out their explainer series.
  2. Tweet this! | UNGA, WFUNA, ECOSOC… The @UN is no stranger to acronyms, but thanks to @UNAUSA Global Engagement Summit, I’m better at UN-tangling 😉 UN lingo. https://bit.ly/GES2022 #USAforUN
  3. The world needs the UN and the UN needs us. Help ensure the UN can continue to carry out its lifesaving work by urging your elected officials to fully fund our dues.
  4. Register your interest in serving as a UNA-USA delegate to UN conferences. We’ll be in touch with you regarding future opportunities. (Please note you must be an active member to serve as a delegate.)

MOBILIZE | From Bystander to Upstander

In this session, attendees will glean lessons and hear examples of how to move from being a bystander of important issues, to becoming an Upstander. As Upstanders, our guest speakers have found unique ways to make an impact in the areas of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines, LGBTQI+ equality, and climate change. Take away ideas and ways to mobilize around an issue about which you are passionate or concerned so that you too may serve as an Upstander. 

  • Connor Franta, CEO, Connor Franta, Inc.
  • Kristy Drutman, Founder, Brown Girl Green
  • Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations
  • Rajesh Mirchandani, Chief Communications Officer, United Nations Foundation

Engage Now! Take Action:

  1. Listen to Melissa Fleming’s award-winning podcast, “Awake At Night.”
  2. Tweet this! | Thank you @UNAUSA, @connorfranta, @melissafleming & @BrownGirl_Green for reminding me of the importance of evolving from a bystander to issues that need attention to an upstander to use my voice to speak on the issues most important to me. https://bit.ly/GES2022 #USAforUN
  3. It’s up to us all to call out injustice—in all forms—wherever and whenever we see it. Take the pledge to speak up for human rights today and everyday.
  4. Take this free course from the United Nations Verified campaign and WikiHow to learn how you can help stop the spread of misinformation.

3:10 – 3:18 p.m. ET

Trivia & 1:1 Networking

3:20 – 3:50 p.m. ET • Breakout Sessions

EDUCATE | SDG Success Stories in the U.S.

The Sustainable Development Goals are large and sometimes seemingly lofty goals that should drive progress towards better health, equity, and peace in our world. This session will highlight impact at three different levels: the individual, institutional, and community. Beyond hearing narratives about inspiring breakthroughs, every attendee can take away good practices that can be replicated and scaled up at an appropriate level in order to accelerate progress as we head towards 2030.

  • David Hawley, Assistant Director for Student and Community Engagement, Office of Global Engagement, North Carolina State University
  • AY Young, Musician, Battery Tour Founder, UN Youth World Leader
  • Nicole Butterfield, Cities for CEDAW Coordinator, UNA Westchester Chapter

Engage Now! Take Action:

  1. Read the Sustainable Development Report 2021 from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
  2. Tweet this! | Here’s the truth: Americans of all ages are advancing progress on the #GlobalGoals. I enjoyed learning from change-makers at @UNAUSA’s Global Engagement Summit how they’re promoting the #SDGs in their communities—and how I can do the same. https://bit.ly/GES2022 #USAforUN
  3. Global problems require global solutions. Take a moment to urge your elected officials to uphold our country’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting H.Res.30, introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee, to create a more just world by 2030. http://lil.ms/ejf8
  4. Register for the Sony Picture This Festival or, if you are a student pursuing the SDGs, check out InnerView, which partners with UNA-USA to track achievement of SDGs in communities across the country.

MOBILIZE | The American Pursuit of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The American Dream has long been an ideal by which there is an equality of opportunity available to any American to achieve their goals and reach aspirations.  However, the pursuit of the American Dream has often been riddled with inequality for some Americans.  Join this session to hear narratives from change-makers who are challenging the barriers of discrimination and who are pursuing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #10, Reduced Inequalities, in their communities and across the country.  

  • Rep. Barbara Lee, Representative for California’s 13th Congressional District
  • Lucy Jones, CEO & Designer, FFORA
  • Carrie Zhang, Founder, Asian Mental Health Project
  • London Bell, UNA-USA National Council Member

Engage Now! Take Action:

  1. Hear from Nyle DiMarco, model and disability advocate, about the importance of SDG 10 and creating a more inclusive world.
  2. Tweet this! | We can’t make life better for all if all are not equal ✊. I saw how Americans are pursuing SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities at @UNAUSA’s Global Engagement Summit and learned how I can play a part in fighting for equality. https://bit.ly/GES2022 | #USAforUN
  3. Human rights violations against African Americans must be acknowledged in order for this nation to heal. Urge your Members of Congress to establish a Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation:
  4. Learn about becoming an ally to help reduce inequality for all by taking “How to Be A Good Ally” course from Coursera.

3:50 – 3:58 p.m. ET

Trivia & 1:1 Networking

4 – 4:45 p.m. ET

Closing Plenary

  • Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
  • Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO, United Nations Foundation
  • Cynthia Yue, 10th UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
  • Dustin Liu, 9th UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
  • Jay’Len Boone, 8th UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
  • Michael Scott Peters, 7th UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
  • Nicol Perez, 5th UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
  • Brooke Loughrin, 1st UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
  • Paula Boland, UNA-USA National Council Chairperson

 

Salons

Salons are informal sessions that will not be recorded, and are not included in the livestream program time. These sessions enable attendees to connect, ask questions, and to dig into certain topics in candid and interactive ways. These sessions have a suggested maximum capacity to allow for more time and space to encourage each attendee to meaningfully participate. (Think book clubs without reading the book, but all the opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals!)

5 – 5:45 p.m. ET

First Session Block

  • Youth, the UN, and Our Future
  • Working in the UN
  • Becoming a Citizen Scientist
  • Food’s Impact Around the World
  • The (In)equality of Working Remote (ILO)
  • So You Want to Start a UNA Chapter?
  • Space: SDGs in the Next Frontier

5:45 – 6:30 p.m. ET

Second Session Block

  • The Politics of Global Sports
  • Responsibility to Protect
  • Community Groups Making Change
  • #MySDGDream and You
  • Ensuring Equality for Women and Girls
  • Human Rights in the U.S.
  • Health and Wellness Inside and Out