AFS Youth Assembly’s Post

REFLECTIONs from the 29th AFS YOUTH ASSEMBLY ‘It doesn’t always take great things - sometimes it is the small things done in a great way, that end up making the biggest differences ….’ These were the words of a young participant from Malaysia the deeply resonated with me. A theme that was ever present at this summit. I have spent the last few days at the 29th AFS Youth Assembly in Manhattan New York. It was my third time attending in my role as a member of the Leadership Council. Despite already witnessing the power of the previous events, I was once again blown away by the diversity, wisdom and authenticity of the participants. In the corporate world we often talk about safe spaces and inclusion. At the Convene Center where the event took place, it was a reality. I was given the honor to introduce the new alumni program for participants of the AFS Youth Assembly. An important next step to further spread the message of global citizenship and turn this annual summit into a sustainable movement. And maybe, only maybe, this little addition of creating a regional support structure for the 20.000 plus AFS Youth Assembly alumni will exactly be this small thing, that ultimately will turn out to make a huge difference, a tipping point for something much greater. Thank you Yumna Khan for driving this. It matters! My big take away from this conference was that we can trust the next generation of leaders and changemakers to make good choices and lead us to a better, more inclusive and as a result more peaceful future. A big thank you to AFS Intercultural Programs President Daniel Obst for being such a great role model and inspiration for all of us. A big thank you the sponsors and supporters of the AFS Youth Assembly - you are more than sponsors you have become friends. One of my personal highlights was that one participant came up to the podium and asked me to sign her copy of ‘A Career Carol’. Young people still read and appreciate good books that talk to their issues and emotional state. A final thank you to all participants- you are AMAZING! Come back next year to celebrate the YA’s 30th anniversary, and until then be an active almnus/a. #AFS #AFSYouthAssembly #peace #UN