100 Global Youth Leaders Visit the United Nations to Listen to and Engage on Critical International Issues

NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations – EF Education First (UNAOC – EF) Summer School welcomed 100 global youth leaders to the headquarters of the United Nations Wednesday as part of its week-long Summer School held at the EF Tarrytown Campus.

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H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) who inaugurated the Summer School on Monday pledged in his opening remarks to do his utmost to contribute to the empowerment of youth. "You are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today" he told the young global citizens from more than 90 countries.

This week, participants are receiving direct mentorship from UN, EF and other international experts, engaging in roundtable discussions and working collaboratively to solve pressing global challenges.

"The UNAOC – EF public-private partnership is based on the conviction that education and global relationships play an important role in preparing youth to create lasting social change," said Iris Hormann, EF President of Language Courses Abroad.

More than 140,000 youth from 192 countries registered to join the Summer School and 100 participants were selected based on their motivation to improve intercultural understanding and cooperation across borders. Using the skills they acquire at the Summer School, they will return home empowered by their experience and strengthened in their capacity to implement cooperative action in their home communities and beyond. 

About the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

UNAOC is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, initially proposed and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey, which works toward a more peaceful, more socially inclusive world by building mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious identities.  UNAOC operates in situations where it can contribute to broader efforts to ameliorate identity-based crises and promote culturally sensitive development policies. Learn more about the UNAOC at www.unaoc.org.   

About EF Education First

Established in 1965 with the mission to break down barriers of language, culture, and geography, EF Education First (EF) is the world's leading international education company. EF (www.ef.com) has helped millions of students learn a new language, earn a degree and travel abroad. With a network of 460 schools and offices worldwide, EF specializes in language training, educational travel, academic degrees, and cultural exchange programs.

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SOURCE EF Education First