After a competitive application process, Cliff Thomas ’23 was one of 50 students selected to participate in the Sister Cities International (SCI) Youth Leadership Summit.
The annual conference brings together youth from around the world, providing them with opportunities to develop leadership skills while exploring and addressing global issues. Through a specialized diplomatic simulation, speaker sessions and peer collaboration, students are empowered and gain a broader understanding of the challenges facing our world.
This year’s theme is “Solving Today’s Problems to Build a Better Tomorrow.” With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, communities around the world are experiencing more problems than before. Left unaddressed, these issues will grow exponentially and harm more communities in the upcoming years. However, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) can provide a roadmap to tackle the majority of global challenges. Throughout the Summit, which will take place virtually August 2 through August 12, students from around the world will work in small teams to design proposals to solve real-world problems using the following five preselected Sustainable Development Goals:
- Good Health and Well-Being
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Reduced Inequalities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The Summit culminates in a Public Forum that will be open to outside participants. During the Forum, youth delegates will have the opportunity to present their proposals and gain a representative voice as they participate in various speaker discussions and explore the importance of passion, fact-based decision making and open mindedness. The Summit concludes with a closing ceremony and a networking session. Congratulations, and best of luck to Cliff!
For over a decade, Suffolk Sister Cities International (SSCI) has sponsored local students attending the SCI Youth Leadership Summit. Founded after World War II to provide opportunities for "Peace Through People," Sister Cities International seeks to develop citizen diplomacy skills. To learn more about the nonprofit organization, please visit www.sistercities.org.
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