By Ikoie Norman, Vice President of Fundraising and Membership
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​The United Nations Association of the USA’s Global Engagement Summit, held at UN Headquarters in New York City, is the largest annual gathering of UN supporters in the country, bringing together U.S. and UN officials, community leaders, young professionals and subject matter experts from across the country to delve into the mission and lifesaving work of the United Nations. This full day summit is one of many educational and inspirational programs that UNA-USA coordinates to help make Americans aware of the strong connection between the U.S. and the UN. 
 
The theme for GES 2024 was “Pushing Forward >>> For People & Planet” and highlighted the importance of empowering advocates to take bold action to achieve significant impact in the areas of people and planet.
 
Attending GES 2024 was an enriching experience that offered valuable insights into the diverse approaches adopted by U.S. chapters. It gave an opportunity to interact with members from various chapters and hear best practices, fostering collaboration and mutual learning. There were engaging discussions about UN initiatives that underscored the global significance of local actions. 

Learning about the latest developments within the UN served as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our efforts and the importance of staying informed to enact meaningful change. Overall, the summit reinforced the notion that collective action and knowledge-sharing are integral to addressing global challenges effectively. I left the event inspired and motivated, with a renewed sense of purpose to contribute to our shared goals of sustainable development and global engagement.

By becoming a member of the United Nations Association of Atlanta, you can actively contribute to advancing global peace, human rights and sustainable development.

Become a member today.

​Black History Month is not only about celebrating the achievements of the Black community but also about recognizing the struggles they've endured and the contributions they've made to society despite facing adversity. For the United Nations Association, the Atlanta Chapter (UNA-ATL) is an opportunity to highlight the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in promoting peace and democracy worldwide. By amplifying Black individuals' and communities' voices and experiences, the UNA-ATL can foster greater understanding and empathy among nations, which is crucial for building lasting peace.
 
In many parts of the world, including the continent of Africa, Black people have been at the forefront of movements for freedom, justice and democracy. Their resilience and determination in the face of oppression inspire us all. By commemorating Black History Month, the United Nations Association Atlanta Chapter reaffirms its commitment to upholding the principles of equality and human rights for all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
 
I believe it's essential to link the celebration of Black History Month with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. Many of the issues that disproportionately affect Black communities, such as poverty, access to education, healthcare disparities and environmental injustice, are interconnected with the SDGs. Addressing these systemic challenges can create a more equitable and sustainable world and Atlanta for future generations.
 
How do we see the promotion of democracy fitting into this conversation, particularly in light of recent political unrest and conflicts?
 
The answer is complex.
 
Democracy is fundamental to achieving peace and stability. It provides a framework for inclusive governance, where all voices are heard, and decisions are made collectively. However, democracy is not just about holding elections; it's about safeguarding human rights, promoting the rule of law and ensuring accountability. In today's world, where authoritarianism and populism are on the rise, it's more important than ever to defend democratic values and institutions. The United States, despite its challenges, remains a symbol of democracy and freedom for many around the world. By upholding these values at home and supporting democratic movements abroad, the U.S. can play a crucial role in advancing global peace and prosperity.
 
Democracy is not a one-size-fits-all model, and it's essential to respect the diverse cultural and political contexts in which it operates. As the UNA-ATL celebrates Black History Month, we must also recognize the ongoing struggles for democracy and human rights faced by Black communities worldwide. By standing in solidarity with them and amplifying their voices, we can help build a more just and democratic world for all.
 
It's clear that celebrating Black History Month is a matter of honoring the past and advancing the goals of peace, sustainability and democracy for the future. As we build a more equitable and inclusive world, let us draw inspiration from the resilience and courage of Black individuals and communities everywhere.

ATLANTA — ​The United Nations Association of the United States of America, Atlanta Chapter (UNA-Atlanta), in collaboration with Georgia State University's Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora, joined an event addressing the current situation in Ethiopia and the support extended by the Atlanta community.

Tracy Gray, a UNA-Atlanta Chapter Board of Directors member and Vice President of Advocacy, calls for actively fostering positive relationships and support for the Ethiopian community in Metro Atlanta. Gray joined the United Nations call, and their dedication to advocacy and community engagement has played a pivotal role in bridging gaps and assisting refugees and immigrants from Ethiopia.
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Atlanta has been at the forefront of addressing the concerns of refugees and immigrants from Ethiopia, exemplifying the city's commitment to inclusivity and humanitarian efforts. The local community, led by Tracy Gray and others, has shown remarkable compassion and support for those affected by the current situation in Ethiopia.

"Events like 'Ethiopia, Memories of Home' foster understanding, empathy, and collaboration. It's heartening to see the commitment of the Atlanta community to making a difference."

​The event was meaningful and impactful, bringing together diverse voices to address the Ethiopian community’s challenges and explore avenues for support and collaboration.

ATLANTA — ​The Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) sponsored international visitors who visited Atlanta this week to comprehensively explore non-governmental organization (NGO) management. Tracy Gray, Vice President of Advocacy for the United Nations Association of the United States of America, Atlanta Chapter (UNA-Atlanta), and national and global Management Consultant Eileen Gray led a distinguished panel discussion that included seven countries' NGOs, human rights, and nonprofit leaders.

Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, the conference focused on strategies for driving NGO awareness, effective fundraising, and best practices for navigating divergent social demands and interests when confronting political, social, and economic challenges.
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Gray, also a UNA-Atlanta Board of Directors member, expressed the importance of collaboration and shared insights into the ever-evolving landscape of NGO management. The day-long conference, organized by the Georgia Council for International Visitors, provided a platform for exchanging ideas among international visitors and their American counterparts.

The Department of State sponsored the following international visitors for the NGO Conference:

• The Bahamas: Ms. Alicia Audrey WALLACE, Director, Equality Bahamas
• Mozambique: Ms. Ludmila Da Gloria Mrto, Co-founder and Team Leader, Specialist Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, Abraço de Mana
• Nepal: Ms. Angel LAMA, Advocacy Officer, Blue Diamond Society
• Rwanda: Mr. Fred MUSIIME, Executive Director, Citizen Rights and Development
• Uganda: Mr. Chris NKWATSIBWE, Deputy Chief of Party, SCENE Project, Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF)
• Ukraine: Ms. Maryna HOMENYUK, Program Manager, European Prison Litigation Network (EPLN)
• United Kingdom: Mr. Trevor MACFARLANE, Founding Director, Culture Commons

The conference facilitated meaningful discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing NGOs globally. Participants shared their experiences, insights, and innovative approaches to address the complex issues surrounding human rights, advocacy, and social impact.

This collaborative initiative reflects the commitment of the U.S. Department of State and the GCIV to foster international dialogue and cooperation on critical issues. The participants left with a deeper understanding of NGO management, strengthened connections, and a shared commitment to advancing positive change in their communities.
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For more information, please contact:
United Nations Association-Atlanta [email protected]​

The United Nations Association of Atlanta and Indian Creek Elementary School hosted the UN Day 2023 event on October 28, 2023. The event celebrated the 78th Anniversary of the United Nations.
The event, which was free and open to the public, aimed to provide valuable insights and resources on healthcare services, mental health services, cultural identity, and educational empowerment.
The event celebrated dignity, equity, and justice for immigrants and refugees, reinforcing the values of the United Nations.
Distinguished keynote speakers and workshop leaders graced the event and shared their expertise and experiences, inspiring the participants and fostering a sense of community and empowerment.

Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leaders:

Dr. Devon Horton: Dr. Devon Horton, the esteemed Superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, emphasized the crucial role of equity-centered decision-making in the educational sector. He reiterated the importance of creating systemic and sustainable change, focusing on marginalized students. Dr. Horton's powerful message highlighted the need for passionate leadership and the belief that all students can achieve their maximum potential.

Dr. Heval Kelli: Dr. Heval Kelli, a Syrian Kurdish-born physician, shared his remarkable journey as a refugee and his exceptional contributions to medicine and healthcare outreach. Dr. Kelli's story of perseverance and dedication to serving underrepresented communities left a lasting impact, inspiring attendees to strive for excellence and make a positive difference in society.
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Alexis Stewart: With her extensive experience in education and curriculum development, Alexis Stewart facilitated an insightful workshop on accessing mental health services in Atlanta. Her guidance on finding culturally competent mental health providers and tackling the stigma associated with seeking mental health care provided valuable resources for participants.

​Molly Read Woo: Molly Read Woo, a prominent advocate for environmental sustainability, conducted an interactive workshop on storytelling for youths. Her engaging approach encouraged participants to share their stories and aspirations for the future, fostering creativity and self-expression among the younger attendees.

Selin Buyan: Selin Buyan, a founding member of the United Nations Association Campus Chapter at the University of Georgia, hosted an informative workshop on navigating the U.S. healthcare system. Her comprehensive guidance on finding affordable healthcare options and overcoming language barriers provided essential knowledge for attendees seeking medical care.

Arda Seckiner: Arda Seckiner, the UNA-Atlanta Youth Envoy for Global Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being, conducted a workshop focusing on children's oral health. His efforts to promote proper oral hygiene practices among children highlighted the significance of early dental care and access to essential dental services for underserved communities.

The UN Day 2023 event organized by the United Nations Association of Atlanta provided a platform for meaningful discussions, valuable insights, and community engagement. The contributions of the keynote speakers and workshop leaders highlighted the importance of equity, education, healthcare, and cultural integration in building a more inclusive and empowered society.

The event's success was a testament to the commitment of the UN Association of Atlanta to advocate for the values and principles of the United Nations.

The United Nations Association of the United States of America – Atlanta Chapter recognizes the following Partners and sponsors for their contributions to our 2023 UN Day Event:

DeKalb County School District, Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent
Indian Creek Elementary School
Stephanie Brown-Bryant, Principal
Monica Mclester, Assistant Principal
BabatunJi Farinu, Assistant Principal
Dr. Adam Nykamp, STEM Instructor
Dekalb County Communications Department
Richard Stephens
British Consulate Colin Gray
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Matt Reynolds
Delegate for Georgia, Refugee Congress, Dr. Heval Kelli
Molly Read Woo, Founder, Planet Atlanta
Alexis Stewart, Founder, Rinnovi Educational Consulting
Emmanuel Miot, Founder & CEO SocialAim
Selin Buyan, Founding Member, UNA Campus Chapter, University of Georgia
UNA Atlanta Chapter members and Board Members
Selen Beduk, President
Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy
Nalat Phanit Black, VP of Education
Ikoie Norman, Senior Director, Fundraising Strategy and Engagement
Workshop Leaders
Selin Buyan and UGA Volunteers
Alexis Stewart
Arda Seckiner
Emanuel Miot
Molly Read Woo
Eileen Gray
Refuge Coffee
Buse’s Kitchen
Planet Atlanta
Rinnovi Educational Consulting
British Consulate General Atlanta

About our Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leads:

Dr. Devon Horton serves as superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, managing the day-to-day operations of a diverse educational system with more than 92,000 students, 14,500 employees, and a budget of $2.6 billion.

Since 2020, Dr. Devon Horton has served as the proud Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school district just north of Chicago. Dr. Horton is a native Chicagoan who was impacted by redlining and learned the value of equity early. Throughout his experience across multiple states in education, from the lens of a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Chief of Schools, and now Superintendent, passion, persistence, and powerful practices are his proven formula for success. Dr. Horton’s research is focused on school leaders’ impact on Turnaround Schools.

He is a Disruptive leader with an unwavering belief in the potential for success for all children. He has a proven track record of transforming educational institutions into sustainable, high-performing organizations. His accomplishments in leadership were rooted in Chicago Public Schools. Under Dr. Horton’s leadership, every team he has led developed a robust culture of equity-centered decision-making. Data and research provide the target, but the art and science of teaching is where the magic happens for all marginalized students.

Dr. Horton is eager to support communities to help identify leaders and educators with the desire and passion to make a difference in today’s society. He is a leader who creates a sense of urgency to create systemic and sustainable change. Dr. Horton is seen as an anti-racist leader nationwide and has presented his work at several local, regional, and national education-related conferences. He was recently honored with the 2022 RTM National EdTech All-Star award for his support in the education of other dynamic leaders.
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Dr. Horton lives by the “Equity in Action” creed and believes it is the only way to build systemic change, focusing on shifting policy, people, and practice. He has made Urban Teacher Residency programs for three different school districts. These programs prioritize selecting and training future teachers who must have a strong belief that all students can learn and meet their maximum potential. While serving in his third year as District 65 Superintendent, he was awarded the National Alliance of Black School Educators 2022-2023 Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Horton created and lived by the motto, “Students do not fail; the systems we create as adults fail our students!”

Colin R. Gray is a career diplomat who is currently Deputy Consul General at the British Consulate General in Atlanta. Prior to joining the team in Atlanta, Colin served as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General at the British Embassy in Lima, Peru (2017 – 2021). 

Previous roles include Head of the UN Political Team in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2014-2017) and Head of Communications at the British Embassy in Seoul, Korea (2011-2014).

Colin is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, and holds a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree. A former newspaper journalist, he also holds an Advanced Certificate in Public Relations from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He speaks fluent Spanish and Korean.

A proud Scotsman, Colin is married to Nicolle and they have two children, Georgia (6) and Logan (4). 

Dr. Heval Kelli is a Syrian Kurdish-born physician. He moved to the United States as refugee two weeks after 9/11 and enrolled at Georgia State 10 months later as a freshman. He graduated Summa Cum Laude while working as a dishwasher and he was later accepted to Morehouse School of Medicine, where he graduated Cum Laude. He finished his internal medicine residency with honorable distinction then completed cardiology fellowship at Emory University in 2020. He co-founded and operated several non-profit organizations focused on medical education (Young Physician Initiative), mentorship (U-Beyond, Mentorship Initiative for New Americans) and healthcare outreach (You4Prevent). Dr. Kelli was named the 2017 Friend of Freedom award. He received the 40 under 40 awards at each institute where he completed his education including the 2018 inaugural Georgia State University 40 under 40 award, 2019 Morehouse School of Medicine 10 under 40 and 2019 Emory University 40 under 40 alumni award. He also received the first Points of Light award after the passing of President George H.W. Bush. Furthermore, he published over 50 scientific articles in the field of preventive cardiology while implementing his work in underrepresented communities. His remarkable journey and work were praised by Presidents Carter, Bush, Obama and United Nations Secretary-General while featured on national and international news including the Emory University, Associated Press, Washington Post, NY Times, New Yorker, Hulu, WHO, UN, CNN, NPR, and more.   

Alexis Stewart is an educator with over 20 years of experience in curriculum, instruction, and educational programming for youth and adult learners. Alexis was born into a family of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates and raised in Columbia, Maryland. Alexis has called Atlanta home since 2011. Mrs. Stewart attended Howard University from 1995 to 1999 where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Alexis began teaching science in Howard County, Maryland in 2001. She continued her education and earned a Master's Degree in Life Science from the University of Maryland in 2005. In 2012, Alexis joined the International Baccalaureate (IB) community as a science teacher at Atlanta International School where she worked closely with the development team. Alexis created Rinnovi Educational Consulting in 2014 and is the Managing Director. Some of her clients include International Baccalaureate Organization and Georgia Institute of Technology. Alexis was invited to join the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) in 2015 where her consultant roles include School Site Verification Visitor and Evaluator, Building Quality Curriculum Senior Reviewer, Webinar Developer, and Workshop Facilitator. In March of 2021, Mrs. Stewart began teaching ESOL Biology at North Atlanta High School (NAHS) within the Atlanta Public School System. She created a Newcomer program to support immigrant and multilingual learners and connected them with mentors through a Students mentoring program, Student Empowerment Society. Mrs.Stewart serves as the DLI (Dual Language Immersion) Lead at NAHS. Alexis Stewart is an active member of New Horizon Baptist Church, Grove Park Neighborhood Association, and on the Zone 1 Safety Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors as Vice President of Curriculum & Development for Every Girl Shines. Alexis loves the outdoors, yoga, rating beaches globally, and traveling anywhere that she can be immersed in and appreciate the sun, different languages and cultures.

Alexis hosted the workshop, Accessing Mental Health Services in Atlanta, providing information about available mental health services and resources in the Atlanta area. Participants will learn how to find culturally competent mental health providers, understand insurance coverage, and access affordable or free mental health support. It will also address the stigma often associated with seeking mental health care.

Emmanuel Miot is a dynamic and dedicated professional with a deep passion for fostering growth, building communities, and promoting equity for all. With almost two decades of experience in business development and leadership, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to driving positive change and empowering individuals and communities. Emmanuel's journey as a Founder & CEO of socialaim.co reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social impact.

Drawing from his own experiences as a founder, Emmanuel offers hands-on guidance and innovative business solutions that address some unique challenges faced by social entrepreneurs, helping them bring their visions to life. His expertise extends to areas such as marketing, creative design thinking, sales, and evaluating product market fit for startups, where he has achieved remarkable results. He possesses a keen ability to strategize, collaborate, and implement lasting change across diverse settings. With fluency in Haitian Creole and French, his goals are to extend his reach and impact to a global scale.
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Beyond his professional accomplishments, Emmanuel's dedication to positive change shines through his volunteer work with local nonprofits and organizations. In his spare time, Emmanuel enjoys spending time with family, meeting new people, playing golf, or learning something new. His diverse experiences and unwavering dedication to making the world a better place make him a remarkable and inspiring individual.

Emmanuel hosted the workshop, Cultural Transition and Identity, exploring the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Refugees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in discussions about preserving their cultural heritage while embracing their new life in Atlanta. The workshop will offer tools for fostering a strong sense of self and belonging.

Molly Read Woo grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, then studied in Denmark, Italy, and Boston before graduating with honors from the UGA School of Journalism. She reported for several newspapers in the Southeast, winning six Georgia Press Association Awards for writing and photography before moving to Japan, where she worked for the Ministry of Education. 

Returning stateside, she founded Planet Atlanta, the first news journal dedicated to covering the international communities within a major U.S. city. In 2006, she presented The Read Report, a documentary to help Georgia improve the effectiveness of its crisis preparedness programs. 

The premier edition of Ms. Woo's first novel, The Red and Black Breed, a murder mystery set at the University of Georgia, came out in Summer, 2011, and retails exclusively through independent bookstores.

​In 2021, Molly founded Planet Atlanta.org to support legislation to reduce our carbon foot print, fight the effects of global warming and to create environmentally friendly, self-sustaining cities.   Ms. Woo resides in Atlanta, along with her son, Max Woo.

Molly hosted the interactive workshop, Storytelling for Youths, where youths get to share stories and their dreams for the future. There will be arts and crafts and sing-a-longs.

Special thanks to our partnering organizations:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nalat Black, VP of Education, [email protected] 

Atlanta, GA, February 1, 2023 - The current UNA-Atlanta Board of Directors would like to thank and acknowledge the immediate past Board of Directors for their work and dedication to our chapter:

Tiffany “Irene” Coulibaly, President, 2020-2022
Steffani Salter, VP of Advocacy, 2020 -2022
Jacqueline Harris, VP of Communications, 2020-2021

All board members are unpaid volunteers with a passion to advance the work of the United Nations in our local community. Special thanks to Ms. Coulibaly for spearheading the Window Seat to the World program and the Phyllis D. Bailey Humanitarian scholarship, giving high school students the opportunity to tour the United Nations in New York City and some college funds.
The current UNA-Atlanta Board of Directors include

Dr. Selen Beduk, President and Interim Treasurer, 2022-2025
Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy, 2022-2024
Nalat Black, VP of Education and Interim Secretary, 2022-2024
Ikoie Norman​, VP of Fundraising, 2023-2025

All board members were elected by the Chapter’s current members (individuals who are paying membership dues to UNA-USA and non-dues paying Youth members who are 25 years of age or younger). 

Additionally, Dr. Selen Beduk was elected by UNA-USA members in a Special Election for the Southeast Region as a Southeast Regional Representative. Dr. Beduk will be working with three Southeast Regional Representatives to advance our mission to educate, inspire, and mobilize Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations and its agencies:
Dr. Eileen Davis-Jerome (Broward County Chapter, Florida)
Sanskriti Deva (Wake County Chapter, North Carolina)
​Aaron Tate Wimberley (Miami Chapter)
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We will explore the interrelatedness of food security with the Global Goals, youth engagement and empowerment. 

We're celebrating the 77th anniversary of the United Nations with the theme Nourishing Peace, looking into how the UN supports food security and peace together, and the opportunities to stand with the UN on these goals. We recognize that food security is closely related to many of the Sustainable Development Goals, including youth mental health. We recognize the critical role of youth in achieving the Global Goals and peace building. It is imperative that we ensure our youth are mentally fit and resilient in order to create sustaining peace, and proper nutrition is vital to a person’s mental well-being. We are bringing “Actors, Actions and Solutions” together.
Speakers at the webinar will shed light on

1. The actions being taken to address the challenges of sustaining peace
2. The current resources that empower youths in creating sustainable communities
3. Actions individuals of all ages can take to raise awareness on youth engagement in peace-building efforts with an emphasis on food security and mental well-being.

Nadi Albino has over 20 years’ experience in international development. Working intimately in the fields of Education, Youth, Early Childhood Development (ECD), policy development/analysis and much of the social sector. Ms. Albino has gained proven competencies in programming; program management: coordination: and delivery, in collaboration with government, the private sector, women and youth globally. She has an in-depth perspective on African and Asian development issues, with a strong track record of advancing gender equality, and working in fragile, post conflict and emergency environments. She is currently the Deputy Director for UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and was the UNICEF Representative in Lesotho until end March 2019.

Ms. Albino has worked in various capacities with girls/women, youth, and children, making her a flexible and proactive team player. She demonstrates strong collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills useful attributes for any team. She is politically astute, which has contributed to ‘big picture’ transformation in development interventions. 

Ms. Albino holds a Doctor of Education (University of Fort Hare); with post graduate qualifications in Education and Change Management (University of Sussex), Policy Development and Analysis (University of Maastricht), Managing Education Sector Reform (World Bank Institute), Business Administration and General Management (Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and Conflict Resolution/Management (University of Birmingham).
linkedin.com/in/nadi-albino-3339413
@riveryei

Alicia Rivera is the Chief Financial Officer of Feeding Georgia Families who works to acquire sponsors and donors, and to coordinate community partnerships.

Alicia believes in the importance of giving with an open heart to those in need. At Feeding GA Families, there are no requirements or judgment, just a group of people dedicated to giving those around us, and each other, a helping hand in the moments it is needed the most.

Alicia has worked with Feeding GA Families as a co-founder and CFO for over 12 years. She has established partnerships with over 150 nonprofit organizations to distribute food across the state of Georgia and has established a nationwide distribution program to reach more people in need. Alicia holds a Bachelor of Arts with a course emphasis in Business Management, Psychology, and Public Service from Ashworth University.

Dr. Jairo Garcia is an expert in urban sustainability and climate change. Dr. Garcia is the CEO of Urban Climate Nexus, the North America Curator for United Nations Habitat, a Sustainable Development Goals Educator Fellow, and long-term collaborator and lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and The Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Garcia is the former Director of Climate Policy with the City of Atlanta and the lead author of Atlanta’s Climate Action Plan. He received the 2017 Individual Climate Leadership Award by the EPA, and the 2021 Green Ring Award by the Climate Reality Project for this demonstrated an exceptional commitment to climate communications and climate action activism. His areas of research are in urban climate vulnerabilities with a focus on urban heat and food security. 

Jamal Hill is an American Paralympic medalist who is dedicated to helping others learn how to swim with the ultimate goal of overcoming the drowning epidemic. The drowning epidemic claims over 350,000 innocent lives every year, mostly persons underaged 25, and mostly like bing in a low income community. As a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Swimming Medalist for the United States of America, Jamal uses his global platform to provide swimming education resources, opportunities, and inspiration to millions around the world, including young people with disabilities.  

Jamal is the founder of the Swim Up Hill Foundation which focuses on reaching low-and middle-income communities of colour both nationally and internationally that are at the greatest risk of drowning. To date, the organization has established partnerships across the United States, as well as international programmes in Colombia, Portugal, and within countries in Northern Africa. 

Jamal is inspired to build an international network that removes the stigma associated with disability, fosters the inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities into sports, and empowers an ever-expanding and inclusive aquatics global community for decades to come.

AY Young is a producer, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur who powers his "Battery Tour" performances using renewable energy. He was recently named a United Nations (UN) Youth Leader for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and performed at President Biden’s inauguration. AY is currently working on a Global Goals album, labeled Project17 in collaboration with earth's biggest artists and companies to create one song for each of the 17 SDGs. He is on a mission to collaboratively make our planet a healthier, kinder, and more sustainable world together with a network of some of the most high-powered companies in the world. Let’s get plugged-in—it starts when we come together. Join the conversation at @aymusik and visit aymusik.com.

Szilvia Fodor, PhD is a psychologist, and works as an Associate professor at the Department of Counseling and School Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. She has courses on the psychology of teaching and learning, gifted education, school organizational psychology and positive psychology at school, and she is also involved in supervising MA and PhD students. Her main fields of research are positive psychological aspects of gifted education, the psychology of optimal/high achievement and school organizational psychology. 
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Besides teaching and research, Szilvia is active as a consultant for whole-school positive psychological interventions aiming to enhance wellbeing and mental health among students and staff and developed a complex e-learning material about positive psychological concepts and interventions for educational purposes. She held several online/offline workshops and trainings about wellbeing and mental health for teachers and young adults both in Hungary and other countries of Europe (e.g. Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia). She was the program coordinator of the Hungarian Templeton Project, which is a pilot program for the personalized support of exceptional cognitive talents. 

Dr. Fodor is a regular consultant of the European Talent Centre, Budapest, member of the international advisory board of the European Talent Support Network and serves as the Vice-president of the ECHA (European Council for High Ability). She is an advocate of global wellbeing and sustainability, and an enthusiastic disseminator of scientific knowledge.

Okan Dursun is recognized as one of the 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the start of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2022.

Okan is the Co-Founder of Twin Science, the world’s first ed-tech company that combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning with SDGs education for young people to raise them as tomorrow’s changemakers. Twin Science has reached more than one million young people with Twin STEM Kits and the Twin mobile app in over 70 countries. Twin Science has been recognized as a “Technology Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum, won BETT Awards 2020 and the Silver Play for Change Award from Toy Industry of Europe. 

As a student, Okan started his journey with the Young Guru Academy, one of Turkey’s leading NGOs, while studying at university. He was selected as one of the 50 young talents among 50,000 applicants to develop impact-driven projects for refugees, orphans, the visually impaired, and others through volunteerism. 
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Passionate about eliminating inequality in education worldwide, Okan has also been leading a social responsibility project called the World Science Movement (WSM). The project aims to give children better access to STEM education. WSM has reached over 500,000 underprivileged children in Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Turkey. Okan believes that no curious mind should be left behind and he is dedicated towards working for this purpose until reaching all young people around the world. 

Arda Seckiner is a Sophomore at Innovation Academy in Fulton County, Georgia and a budding entrepreneur: "In my fifteen years of life, many things have happened. When I was young/toddler, my parents said I was a cute kid who would eat anything and everything that would be put in front of me. For example, my parents would display blueberries for me to eat, however I would play with them and smush them, then eat them. However, as I grew up, I thought I started to mature, however I had a long way to go. When I first started school, I was quite timid, however as the years went on and on, I began to become more and more social and open to new people. Furthermore, this is when I started to observe the people around me and the people I knew, so this led to me wondering how the people I knew were different from me. Then I went to the dentist for the first time, I fell in love with the science and was fascinated by the fact some man took a sharp chisel and scraped my teeth. However, my dentist also said I could keep my teeth clean by brushing and flossing. So, I would do it everyday so that I could follow his orders. However, one day I noticed that some people had come to school without brushing their teeth, so I asked why, and they said that they didn’t have the materials to do so. When I heard this, I knew I had to make a difference, so my mission is to give less fortunate kids in my area a chance to have a clean and healthy mouth."

Avi Karamchandani is UNA-Atlanta's Youth Envoy: Global Goal 3, Good Health & Well-being. He is a passionate, adventurous, courageous student at Lambert High School. He has many interests ranging from mental health and synthetic biology to basketball and cooking. He works hard through challenging situations and puts his best foot forward in any position. Ever since he was a young boy, he has wanted to find solutions to global issues and problems. At the age of 12, Avi decided to do just that with Fittoday: a platform devoted to improving the overall health of youth across the world. Mental health in children will no longer be overlooked; Fittoday allows children to easily convey their emotions to adults, caretakers, teachers, and parents. In addition, Fittoday allows adults to set certain physical activities schedules for child/student. Data entered through a child/student is immediately relayed to the adult, which can be viewed on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Avi is a student of Lambert High School's class of 2025, the founder/creator of Fittoday, a part of the Boys Track & Field team, the Lambert International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team, and a Black Belt in Karate. ​

Alíz Kun, U.S. Department of States Fellow for Community Solutions  Program.

Rachel Bowen Pittman, Executive Director of United Nations Association of USA, shares with us the meaning of Nourishing Peace.

Special thanks to our partnering organizations: