Unleashing the leadership potential of youth for the community at the NAE-UNICEF conference 2024

From 12 to 19/07/2024, our three Year 10 BVIS HCMC students; Minh Anh, Kyle and Simon, embarked on an unforgettable journey to the prestigious UNICEF Student Summit, joining over 120 Nord Anglia students from around the globe. This year's summit, held at The Village School and the British International School of Houston, centered around the inspiring theme of "INNOVATION." 

The summit buzzed with excitement as students delved into discussions on advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing their impact in local communities. 

The event kicked off with empowering sessions on advocacy skills, where students learned how to navigate challenging conversations with community stakeholders and amplify their voices to drive meaningful change. 

Day two was a thrilling adventure at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where students immersed themselves in the fascinating world of energy science and technology. They explored the critical role of renewable energy sources, aligning with SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. 

On the third day, students were captivated by stories of real-life changemakers, gaining insights on how to lead positive societal change. With support from UNICEF, they honed their skills in tackling challenging conversations, ready to become future leaders of change. 

The fourth day brought a visit to the British International School of Houston, where delegates enjoyed a campus tour and witnessed the inspiring 'Food for Friends' initiative - a brilliant NAE Social Impact Grant winner combating food insecurity in Houston. Students also delivered powerful 'Peer Talks,' sharing their remarkable efforts to achieve the SDGs in their local communities. 

Day five was a whirlwind of activity, starting with a workshop on inclusive language and advocacy, followed by a heartwarming trip to the Houston Food Bank. In just one afternoon, the student delegates packed enough boxes to provide an astounding 19,040 meals for those in need! 

On the final day, students presented innovative strategies to tackle pressing 'problem statements.' It was awe-inspiring to see them apply their newfound knowledge, proposing solutions that ranged from lobbying local governments to creating educational materials and hosting informative sessions. 

This week-long summit was a transformative experience, igniting the passion and potential of these young leaders to make a lasting impact on the world. Simon from 10I said “I’d definitely say it’s one of the best school trips I’ve been on so far. You get to meet so many smart, talented and passionate people on this trip from across the world, and become great friends with them during the summit. It’s also a great experience to learn more about the SDGs & CRCs as well as how we are doing globally, and what students can do to help in their communities. So, overall, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn and problem solve together.”