Interfaith Outreach and Youth Empowerment at the United Nations
The International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) actively supports interfaith dialogue and cooperation as vital components of peacebuilding. At the United Nations, we work to engage youth from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds, empowering them to lead with shared values and contribute to a more harmonious world. In October 2024, IAYSP participated in the Spirit of the United Nations Awards hosted by the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns (CSVGC-NY). The event celebrates individuals and organizations who embody the spiritual and ethical principles at the heart of the UN Charter. IAYSP’s presence underscored our commitment to values-driven leadership and the importance of creating space for youth voices within interfaith initiatives. By supporting interfaith outreach, IAYSP seeks to provide young people with opportunities to connect across religious and cultural lines, engage with faith-based organizations, and collaborate on building a peaceful and inclusive global future.
Strengthening Ties with Nepal for Youth Empowerment
On October 23, 2024, Nagma and John met with Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to discuss opportunities for collaboration. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to work together in the near future, marking an important step toward expanding youth-focused initiatives. In a separate meeting, the former Nepali Ambassador to the United States expressed strong support for IAYSP’s mission and offered to facilitate the introduction of YSP programs in Nepal. These diplomatic engagements reflect a deepening partnership between IAYSP and Nepali leadership, underscoring a shared commitment to empowering youth as key agents of peace, development, and positive change across borders.
International Youth Conference: Nagma Shrestha and Tiger Ryan speak on behalf of IAYSP
In September 2024, Nagma Shrestha and Tiger Ryan represented the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) at the International Youth Conference (IYC), where he joined global youth leaders to discuss practical solutions to the root causes of conflict. Nagma Shrestha emphasized that youth must be recognized as essential, empowered partners in multilateral diplomacy, with structured support, inclusive participation, and real influence in shaping global decisions. At the same time, drawing from his personal journey and professional experience, Tiger highlighted the importance of character education, inner transformation, and community service as essential foundations for lasting peace. Nagma Shrestha’s Speech: Nagma Shrestha, Representative to the United Nations for the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP), delivered a powerful address at the International Youth Conference, calling for the institutionalization of meaningful youth engagement in global diplomacy. Speaking on the theme of strengthening youth participation at the international level, she emphasized that youth are not only future leaders—they are already leaders, problem-solvers, and advocates who must be fully included in shaping global decisions. She shared IAYSP’s mission to empower youth through character education and peace projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and noted the organization’s presence in over 50 countries and its Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC. Highlighting a recent side event IAYSP organized during the ECOSOC Youth Forum, Shrestha spoke about efforts to develop a Global Standard for Meaningful Youth Engagement in the Pact for the Future, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational cooperation and equal partnerships between youth and policymakers. Shrestha argued that youth engagement must go beyond tokenism and be supported by leadership training, mentorship, financial resources, and decision-making platforms. She stressed the need for inclusivity, urging that youth from the Global South and underrepresented regions must be given equal access and support to participate in global diplomacy. Drawing on her experience in international pageantry, she highlighted how beauty pageants can serve as platforms for Track 2 diplomacy—promoting cross-cultural exchange, soft power, and youth-led advocacy on issues such as gender equality and climate action. She concluded by urging global institutions to create formal structures, ongoing platforms, and accountability mechanisms to ensure that youth voices are not only heard but also shape policy outcomes. For diplomacy to be future-oriented and inclusive, she argued, youth must be recognized as essential partners in building a just and sustainable global future. Tiger Ryan’s Speech: Tiger Ryan, representing the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP), delivered a heartfelt reflection on the root causes of conflict and the personal responsibility each individual holds in building peace. He began by affirming the importance of values-based education and youth service, which are central to IAYSP’s mission. Tiger stressed that to truly mitigate conflict, we must be proactive rather than reactive—not merely protesting what is wrong in the world, but actively working to prevent future conflicts by cultivating values and character in young people. He identified two fundamental internal causes of conflict: greed, the desire to take what is not yours, and grievance, the desire to reclaim what once was. Both, he emphasized, stem from internal dissatisfaction and unresolved personal issues. Without inner peace, individuals are more likely to contribute to larger social and political unrest. That’s why, in the words of IAYSP’s guiding principle, “Peace starts with me.” Tiger illustrated this with his personal journey: once an overweight, anxious, and depressed teenager, he battled internal conflict and lacked self-love. He shared that he could not focus on loving others or contributing to peace until he began taking care of himself—through exercise, self-help, and discipline. This personal transformation empowered him to serve others, eventually becoming a police officer in London, where he confronted daily conflict—from street violence to domestic abuse. Drawing from these experiences, Tiger argued that personal transformation is foundational for social change. Peace is not simply something we demand from governments or institutions—it begins with individual action, self-discipline, and service to others. By strengthening ourselves and supporting youth through education and empowerment, we can create a ripple effect of peace within communities and across nations. His message called for personal accountability, empathy, and consistent efforts to uplift others, reminding the audience that sustainable peace must be built from the inside out.
YSP USA Represents IAYSP at the Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters, September 2024
The Summit of the Future took place at UN Headquarters on 22-23 September, marking a significant moment for reimagining global cooperation and addressing the urgent challenges facing humanity. Born from the reflections on the UN’s 75th anniversary and the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit brought together representatives from governments, civil society, and the private sector to collectively chart a new course forward. A central focus was youth involvement, with dedicated sessions on “youth and future generations.” Youth leaders and delegates played an active role, contributing to key discussions and shaping the final Pact for the Future. The Summit underscored the importance of young people in driving sustainable solutions, restoring trust in global governance, and ensuring meaningful change for future generations. As a representative organization with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, IAYSP was uniquely positioned to attend the Summit and represent the concerns of youth. This “once-in-a-generation” opportunity provided civil society and youth with the platform to engage meaningfully and contribute to the new direction being adopted by the UN through various declarations and pacts. To begin the Summit of the Future, the UN hosted Action Days which served as a preparatory event for the Summit of the Future, allowing broad participation from youth, civil society, and other stakeholders to shape discussions on global issues like digital technology, peace, and sustainability. The Summit of the Future (22-23 September) was the main high-level event, where global leaders gathered to formalize commitments and adopt the Pact for the Future, focusing on reimagining global governance and addressing long-term challenges. Action Days Participation YSP USA sent a delegation of 10 representatives to the Action Days of the Summit of the Future on 20-21 September. The Action Days event facilitated broad engagement from representatives across Member States, civil society, the private sector, academia, and youth, to discuss and shape the future global agenda. Youth-led sessions took center stage, covering pressing issues such as digital technology, peace and security, sustainable development, and the well-being of future generations. IAYSP’s representatives observed how well-integrated youth were to the sessions. A pivotal moment occurred when the UN Secretary-General spoke about the future, emphasizing that building the future together, rather than choosing sides, was the true goal as well as that society including the UN had failed to include youth in the past but that this is changing. This sentiment encapsulated the collaborative and future-oriented spirit of the Action Days.And while youth participation was celebrated, many young attendees felt that their contributions could have gone deeper. Despite being given significant access to the UN platform, some felt that opportunities to express perspectives were still limited. Often, youth spent more time justifying their presence at the table rather than offering substantive input. Perhaps this is because young people still feel the need to assert their role as essential stakeholders, with some still lacking confidence or the proper mentorship and opportunities to engage more fully in the process. Furthermore, while the conferences offered important platforms for global dialogue, many sessions lacked depth and repeated the same themes without exploring deeper insights. Despite these shortcomings, participants left the Action Days with a clearer understanding of the UN’s goals and how civil society can contribute to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provided an invaluable networking opportunity, bringing together individuals of different ages and nationalities to collaborate and share ideas. The IASYP team adopted a “divide-and-conquer” strategy to maximize their presence across various sessions. This collaborative approach allowed the delegation to engage with numerous relevant discussions. Rebuilding trust through transparency was a recurring theme, as was the call for leaders to actively listen to marginalized voices, including indigenous communities and scientists, who are often ignored in critical discussions about long-term risks like climate change. Summit of the Future Participation Following the Action Days, two representatives from IAYSP, the maximum allotted, attended the Summit of the Future, held in September, brought together world leaders at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future. This landmark agreement aims to strengthen global cooperation and includes key annexes such as the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, addressing critical issues like digital governance and long-term sustainability. UN member-states adopted the Pact with 143 votes, seven against, and 15 abstentions. IAYSP representatives observed that the event’s impactful moments, especially the Adoption of the Pact for the Future in the presence of global leaders. A key achievement was strengthening ties with the Nepal Mission through a meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal. A central theme throughout the Summit was peace and intergenerational connection. The importance of bridging the gap between older generations and younger ones to address global challenges was emphasized. One poignant discussion was about loneliness and isolation, with a focus on how we can use multilateralism to connect across generations and inform the global environment. Conclusion YSP USA’s participation in the Summit of the Future and Action Days provided a vital opportunity to engage with global leaders and advocate for youth involvement in decision-making processes. The Summit was a powerful opportunity to witness global unity, learn from diverse voices, and forge meaningful connections for a more sustainable future. the event allowed the IAYSP delegation to network, learn from best practices, and share their perspectives on advancing the Pact for the Future and the SDGs. YSP USA remains committed to empowering youth and working toward a more inclusive and sustainable future through collaborative efforts with global stakeholders and representing youth from the IAYSP network and beyond.
Capturing Youth Stories in Lusaka, Nairobi, and Kigali – A YSP Photo Journey
From July 18 to 25, 2024, YSP USA, in collaboration with YSP Africa, conducted a youth-driven photography project in Lusaka, Zambia. Led by John Koester, UN Advocacy Advisor for YSP USA, and Ricardo J. Partida, an experienced photographer and Education Coordinator at the Bronx Documentary Center, the initiative aimed to empower local youth by providing disposable cameras to document their lives, communities, and experiences. This project wasn’t just about photography; it was also about understanding the challenges youth face. During this trip, YSP representatives visited Kigali, Rwanda, and Nairobi, Kenya, in addition to Lusaka. In each city, they met with local YSP chapters to engage in conversations with youth about their experiences, struggles, and hopes for the future. These discussions were invaluable in understanding the unique challenges faced by young people in different regions and provided an opportunity for YSP to tailor their support and initiatives to better meet their needs. By listening to their stories and gaining insight into their realities, YSP was able to strengthen its mission to empower and uplift youth across Africa. The core of the project was storytelling. Storytelling is a powerful tool for youth to express their experiences, emotions, and aspirations. For young people, being able to document their lives and share their perspectives is not only empowering but also a form of self-discovery. Photography was the medium through which the youth could tell their stories, transcending language and cultural barriers. Through the disposable cameras provided by YSP USA, youth in Lusaka and Nairobi were encouraged to capture moments that reflected their daily lives, challenges, and dreams for the future. In Kigali, the focus was similarly on giving youth the opportunity to reflect on their lives and share their voices. On July 20, John Koester and Ricardo J. Partida hosted an introductory photography workshop in Lusaka, where participants learned about the basics of visual storytelling and composition. This workshop set the tone for the photography project, encouraging the youth to use their cameras as a tool for expressing their identities and documenting their communities. Throughout the trip, the youth were engaged in conversations about the role of storytelling in creating change and how their photographs could amplify their voices on a global scale. Workshop in Lusaka, Zambia Lusaka, Zambia On July 23 and 24, the cameras were collected from the participants for development, and they had the chance to reflect on their experiences. In addition to sharing the photos they had captured, youth discussed how they could use storytelling to address the challenges they face in their communities and bring about positive change. The images created a powerful narrative about the resilience, hopes, and struggles of youth in Lusaka, Nairobi, and Kigali, while also highlighting the universal desire for opportunity and empowerment.
Attending the 2024 UN High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals
Last week, the YSP delegation participated in the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), engaging in key discussions on youth inclusion and sustainable progress. We attended several side-events focused on the role of young people in achieving the SDGs—and left feeling more inspired than ever! The UN is intensifying efforts to empower youth and collaborate with partners to create meaningful change in local communities. As part of this push, we joined three impactful side-events centered on youth empowerment. Here’s what we learned: Tzu Chi Foundation Panelists highlighted the lack of accessible platforms where youth can build confidence and voice their concerns. They emphasized the need for greater capacity-building to enable young people to contribute effectively. Additionally, cultural and skill-building exchange programs were recognized as key tools for fostering youth leadership. German Mission to the UN A standout example of cross-sector collaboration, this event showcased a successful partnership between a nonprofit, a private company, and a government entity to provide paid career training in developing communities. This initiative helps youth gain financial independence and build confidence. The discussion also underscored the importance of listening to youth—understanding their needs and interests revealed a strong preference for in-person activities and hands-on skill development. UN Youth Office In a dynamic panel featuring young activists and high-level UN officials, discussions centered on strengthening the Youth2030 agenda. Key takeaways included: The need to revamp youth governance structures Prioritizing youth representation in high-level political discussions Transforming internal UN systems to model meaningful youth engagement A powerful message resonated throughout: If you can criticize, you can change the agenda. Youth are not just passive observers—they are active agents of positive change. We extend our gratitude to the hosts of these insightful side-events, the UN Youth Office, and Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, for their leadership in advancing youth engagement and advocacy within the UN.
Peace Cup – June 2024
The Los Angeles Family Church and members of YSP USA hosted Peace Cup LA 2024 from June 28 to June 30, bringing together over 1,500 participants for a dynamic three-day celebration of sports and community. The event featured a diverse range of competitions, including futsal, basketball, volleyball, e-sports, and a 5K race/walk, fostering friendly competition and engagement across all age groups.The opening ceremony was a major highlight, featuring special guests Lamar Odom, Bishop Jones, and LA Galaxy’s Tyler Champion. Held at LAFC – LA Galaxy Park and the Torodome Gym, the event created a vibrant atmosphere of unity and sportsmanship. Exciting moments and highlights were shared across social media, capturing the spirit of Peace Cup LA 2024 and its impact on the community.
Empower Youth – YSP DMV
The YSP Chapter in the DMV hosted an online virtual webinar series titled “Empower Youth,” a six-part virtual webinar series providing youth with insights into various careers, professions, and lifestyles. Community members shared their experiences to help participants make informed decisions about their future with confidence.
HyoJeong Social
The event successfully facilitated meaningful discussions on HyoJeong culture and its importance in promoting peace, both personally and within communities. HyoJeong culture, originating from the Korean term “Hyo” (filial piety) and “Jeong” (heart or affection), emphasizes the deep, heartfelt devotion to one’s parents, elders, and community. Rooted in Confucian ideals of filial piety, HyoJeong has been modernized to promote peace and harmonious relationships at all levels of society. It advocates for selfless love, respect, and service towards others, particularly within families, and encourages individuals to act with a sincere heart in their interactions. In a broader context, HyoJeong culture is seen as a foundation for building peace and unity, inspiring positive change in both personal and communal life. Organized by YSP USA and the NY chapter of the Collegiate Association of Research of Principles, the gathering offered participants an engaging experience, with plans for future collaborations with other youth-focused organizations. Participants explored how HyoJeong culture, rooted in the virtue of filial piety, has been adapted for modern use as a tool for fostering relationships and societal peace. The event featured a mix of dialogue, food, and fellowship, creating a positive environment for youth to connect and reflect.
Side-Event at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024
The ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024 Side Event titled “Towards a Global Standard for Meaningful Youth Engagement in the Pact for the Future,” took place on April 18 at the European Union Mission to the UN. Organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace in conjunction with UN Youth Delegates and Youth Representatives from Austria, Czech Republic, the European Union, Ireland, Kenya, Malta, Switzerland, and the USA, this event was part of the broader theme of the ECOSOC Youth Forum, the theme being: “Youth shaping sustainable and innovative solutions: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of crises.” The upcoming Summit of the Future later in September is set to address the topic of youth engagement at the highest level. The ECOSOC Youth Forum serves as a pivotal platform for young people worldwide to engage in dialogue on sustainable development. The summit aims to produce a Pact for the Future, which seeks to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The zero-draft of this pact has requested the Secretary-General to lead the development of a global standard for meaningful youth engagement. The primary objectives of this side event were twofold. First, to define standards and develop actionable recommendations for meaningful youth engagement by establishing clear guidelines in policy and decision-making processes. These guidelines align with the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief, ongoing negotiations on the Pact of the Future, and specifically SDG 16.7, which aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. Second, to foster substantive dialogue by facilitating intergenerational and interactive discussions exploring youth involvement in policy-making processes in line with SDG 17. Have a look at the event reports below, as well as the recording of the event and the keynote video! Full Event Report Short Event Report Testimonies