UNA-Atlanta President Tracy Gray addresses students on leadership and global citizenship at an event at Denmark Library in Alpharetta, Georgia on August 4.
By Tracy Gray, President of UNA-Atlanta
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to speak with middle school and rising High School students in Alpharetta. Denmark Public Library hosted a mock Model United Nations club conference for AMPlify.
I wanted to leave the students with a simple personal challenge:
Choose one thing this year. Just one. And begin.
Join Model United Nations. Volunteer in your community. Become a peer mentor. Help a younger student. Read more. Meet someone new. Lead a project.
You do not have to change the entire world. You must begin.
I encouraged students to consider participating in the AMPify Model United Nations Club because the experience offers far more than an opportunity to learn about the United Nations and international affairs.
The Leadership team and members of Model UN can help young people become stronger communicators, better listeners, more confident speakers, thoughtful leaders, stronger researchers and writers, better teammates, and more informed global citizens.
The response to my remarks from Aditi Rameswarapu, Vice President of Outreach and Engagement at AMPlify, highlighted the impact of that simple message:
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to speak with middle school and rising High School students in Alpharetta. Denmark Public Library hosted a mock Model United Nations club conference for AMPlify.
I wanted to leave the students with a simple personal challenge:
Choose one thing this year. Just one. And begin.
Join Model United Nations. Volunteer in your community. Become a peer mentor. Help a younger student. Read more. Meet someone new. Lead a project.
You do not have to change the entire world. You must begin.
I encouraged students to consider participating in the AMPify Model United Nations Club because the experience offers far more than an opportunity to learn about the United Nations and international affairs.
The Leadership team and members of Model UN can help young people become stronger communicators, better listeners, more confident speakers, thoughtful leaders, stronger researchers and writers, better teammates, and more informed global citizens.
The response to my remarks from Aditi Rameswarapu, Vice President of Outreach and Engagement at AMPlify, highlighted the impact of that simple message:
“Thank you so much, Mr. Gray, for coming to speak with Amplify! Your visit meant a lot to all of us, and I really appreciated the time and energy you put into sharing your experiences with us.
Hearing your perspective reminded us that our voices matter and that speaking up is powerful, even when it's intimidating.
Your passion really came through, and it left a lasting impression on me. Thank you for taking the time to connect with our organization; it's a moment I won't forget anytime soon!”
Perhaps most importantly, Model United Nations clubs can help young people develop compassion and a deeper understanding of people and perspectives beyond their own.
The leadership team of Hansika Sahukari, Anushka Dingare, Thaniska Balu, and Suhali Tirumareddi shared their relationship-building skills with the younger students.
These are skills that will serve young people not only in school, but also in college, in their careers, in their communities, and throughout their lives.
I believe today’s generation has an extraordinary opportunity to help build a more peaceful world. Young people have access to knowledge unlike any previous generation. They are globally connected, technologically skilled, creative, and innovative.
The challenge is to use those gifts wisely. I advised the students: Use your intelligence with humility. Use your influence responsibly. Use your voice to build bridges instead of walls.
My final message to the students was this:
Every person you admire was once where you are today. They had doubts. They made mistakes. They wondered whether they were good enough.
The difference is that they decided to begin.
Our world does not need more people waiting for someone else to solve its problems. It needs people who are willing to say:
“I will help. I will learn. I will lead. I will serve. I will build peace. I will make a difference.”
At the United Nations Association of Atlanta, we believe young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow.
They are leaders today.
The future begins when someone decides to take that first step.
That person can be you.
The leadership team of Hansika Sahukari, Anushka Dingare, Thaniska Balu, and Suhali Tirumareddi shared their relationship-building skills with the younger students.
These are skills that will serve young people not only in school, but also in college, in their careers, in their communities, and throughout their lives.
I believe today’s generation has an extraordinary opportunity to help build a more peaceful world. Young people have access to knowledge unlike any previous generation. They are globally connected, technologically skilled, creative, and innovative.
The challenge is to use those gifts wisely. I advised the students: Use your intelligence with humility. Use your influence responsibly. Use your voice to build bridges instead of walls.
My final message to the students was this:
Every person you admire was once where you are today. They had doubts. They made mistakes. They wondered whether they were good enough.
The difference is that they decided to begin.
Our world does not need more people waiting for someone else to solve its problems. It needs people who are willing to say:
“I will help. I will learn. I will lead. I will serve. I will build peace. I will make a difference.”
At the United Nations Association of Atlanta, we believe young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow.
They are leaders today.
The future begins when someone decides to take that first step.
That person can be you.
