On Monday, a 7th grade social studies classroom from the St. Ignatius School of the South Bronx was the first group of NYC Junior Ambassadors program participants to receive their curated tour of the United Nations! In a partnership with the NYC Department of Education, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, the United Nations, and the United Nations Foundation, the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs created NYC Junior Ambassadors — an exciting initiative focused on engaging 7th graders in all five boroughs of New York City to see themselves as global citizens through a connection with the United Nations.
The initiative targets New York City youth at a critical time in their personal and intellectual growth, and seeks to help them understand the real connections between their communities, the City of New York, and international affairs.
As part of the NYC Junior Ambassadors program, fourteen selected students from the St. Ignatius School are incorporating the study of historical movements in human rights and social progress into their social studies class and today the class learned about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the global movement that ended slavery. The United Nations continues to serve as a symbol of peace and a beacon of hope for many around the world. The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs is proud to bring New York City’s next generation of leaders to this institution through an program like NYC Junior Ambassadors that makes global diplomats locally.
Image captions:
* Photo 1 – Students from St. Ignatius pose with NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner, Penny
* Photo 2 – Students of St. Ignatius School pose in front of the “Sphere Within a Sphere” sculpture at the United Nations. (Photo Alejandro Jaramillo)
* Photo 3 – Students of St. Ignatius School pose in front of the iconic Knotted Gun Sculpture at the United Nations. (Photo Alejandro Jaramillo)
* Photo 4 – Students of St. Ignatius School hold up sings for each of the 17 Global Goals at the United Nations Security Council.
