Kaz (Year 10) and Federica (Year 12) spent summer representing the British School of Guangzhou in New York, at the Unicef Summit in July.
Setting off on Tuesday 12th July, as members of the 28 student delegation representing the China Region led by Miss Millar - Head of Secondary, there was great excitement and enthusiasm, albeit with a little trepidation about the work ahead of them.
Once in New York, Kaz and Federica and the rest of the China delegates joined two students from many of the NAE schools around the world as 121 students from 58 schools came together to work on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
A welcome evening at Dave and Buster’s promoted team building, with new friendships developed quickly.
Each day started with a working breakfast at the Hard Rock Cafe - New York, where conversations focussed heavily on the contributions and solutions students could work on back at their schools, to promote and achieve the SDG’s.
Day one of the summit was held at the United Nations House -Unicef, which ensured students understood the work of Unicef and their mission.
A chance to meet and converse with Unicef’s leading experts on each of the 17 SDG’s provided further 'food for thought' as to what can be achieved as we continue the pledge to provide equality for all children all over the world.
An early evening excursion to the observation floors of the Vanderbilt Summit One building provided students with a sensory overload of mirrors and light, and full panoramic views of Manhattan, as the tallest midtown skyscraper.
Plagued by jet lag, after a pizza fest at John’s Pizzeria, students headed off for well deserved sleep.
Day two was spent at NAISNY: Nord Anglia International School - New York.
Following sessions on debate and dialogue skills, and the World’s Largest Lesson, students formed small working parties focused on the SDG they would most like to work on. Federica played her role in SDG 1 – No Poverty, and Kaz focussed on SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being. Groups set about identifying solutions, eliminating and overcoming barriers they might face, and preparing the presentations they would ultimately deliver at the final summit conference.
Friday night was free choice excursion night when students could visit Times Square for a shopping experience, walk through Central Park and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or head to Artechouse, an American innovative art space and destination for immersive and interactive art exhibitions.
Saturday started with the whole summit delegation walking along New York’s fantastic and most beautiful High Line, after heading back to NAISNY for final presentation preparations, we returned to the hotel to freshen up and smarten up into business attire for the return to the United Nations Unicef Headquarters for the summit conference.
Joined by Mr Andrew Fitzmaurice (CEO - Nord Anglia Education) and Dr Elise Ecoff (Chief Education Officer) students delivered their ideas and potential solutions for the continued endeavour to achieve the SDG’s by 2030, as agreed by World Leaders.
The students had grown in confidence and freely shared their ideas and opinions.
A celebratory dinner in a local steak house ensured students could unwind and enjoy the evening following their hard work from the previous three days.
A final breakfast at The Hard Rock Cafe and some thank you’s were shared before the delegates started to head off back around the world and back to their schools.
China delegates had a little extra time to fill before catching our flight, so a walk to Central Park and some last minute shopping in Times Square filled the afternoon, albeit in a huge New York rain storm.
The long flight home provided time for more well deserved sleep and reflection on the once in a lifetime experience to represent BSG at the summit. Well Done to Kaz and Federica for representing BSG with such professionalism, thought and care for how we can all continue to strive to achieve the SDG’s.
Our sincere thanks must go to Dr Leslie Williams, Vicky Sparks and Emily Dymond, the NAE Social Impact coordinating team for providing such a well planned and executed summit.
Once the new academic year starts, Kaz and Federica will work with Mrs Cuming, our BSG Social Impact Lead and regional lead for China, to plan, organise, lead and deliver our Social Impact work across the whole of BSG.
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