YOUTH ACTION, IMPACT: IT’S TIME Our Case for Support: A Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friend,

The youth of the world need our help! They are facing some of the greatest challenges “ ever experienced by mankind, and they want to take action. It is essential that we do all You may not realize it, but at that we can to harness the passion, energy, innovation, and dynamism of youth, whose The Youth Assembly, you are one global has reached an unprecedented 1.2 billion. We are seeking your support handshake, one conversation, to help us help our youth connect, learn, and take action to make an impact in changing the world. one business card away from living the life you have envisioned for yourself and the ‘A world on the brink,’ ‘a world in disarray,’ ‘a world in people around you. crisis’ are not the kind of world any young person should “ be growing up in, and yet these are phrases they often Rebakaone Bowe hear. Ambassador

No doubt, the challenges are real, but they can be solved, if we work together. Many organizations are doing outstanding work in this regard, but few are as focused and have a history of working with and harnessing the power of young people as the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation. We know we can continue to do great work, but with your help we know we can do so much more and create a noticeable impact that will be felt today and reverberate ever stronger tomorrow.

We hope you recognize our expertise and experience and sense our passion and sincerity. But most importantly we hope you recognize the need and urgency as we do in igniting the passion and talent of our young people so they can co-create a world that is poised to “ be ever better for the generations to come. The Youth Assembly is a platform that connects all global IT’S TIME. change-makers to turn their Sincerely, dream into a reality, a better world for us all.

Suaad Al-Hammadi Ambassador Andrew Macdonald, Ed. D. Executive Director Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Our Story

For over 45 years, Our Story the Friendship Fostering friendship – the basic human bond gather thousands of young leaders and “ that allows for mutual understanding and changemakers twice a year. Since 2004, FAF Ambassadors cooperation among peoples of the world – is at has engaged over 20,000 youth from 160 Foundation the heart of every work that we do. True to our countries to support global commitments name, we believe in the power of friendship such as the United ’s Sustainable has facilitated as a catalyst for deeper and long-lasting Development Agenda. collaboration towards impactful change. youth exchange, No other youth development organization development, and Our story began when Harry Morgan founded can claim such a legacy and such results, but the Ambassadors for Friendship program which for us this is just the beginning. action for global has been recognized by names such as Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, New challenges have beset the world in change. Mother Theresa, and Kofi Annan. the last ten years, and old ones have grown larger. FAF sees young people not only The program became the Friendship for their future potential to be developed, Ambassadors Foundation in 1973, which but as leaders now who can take on these facilitated musical choirs that used music to challenges. Hence, we are focused on break down barriers behind the Iron Curtain in engaging, empowering, connecting, and countries such as Romania, Czechoslovakia, and developing what we see as the world’s . greatest asset: the ideas and action of young people. FAF’s rich history of cultural exchange has led to the development of The Youth Assembly, These are areas in which FAF has developed more. Tomorrow becomes today faster one of the world’s largest youth events that great expertise, but we can and must do than ever before, and as the world grows more connected, problems become complex on a global scale. If our youth are our future, and the future is now, then we must act today. Kofi Annan with HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS Harry Morgan and Our Vision and Mission other “Ambassadors 1958 - Ambassadors for Friendship program was created by American journalist Harry Morgan. for Friendship” participants Our mission is to develop leaders and 1984 - FAF conducted over 42 ensembles comprising 2,000 participants from 23 states changemakers who will work together touring 12 countries. to make the world a better place. We envision a world without war, poverty, 2004 - The Youth Assembly was inaugurated at the United Headquarters in New York City. oppression, exclusion, and environmental degradation, and a future that is 2008 - FAF began an official partnership with UNESCO to collaborate on the sustainable. implementation of its activities and programs.

2015 - FAF was officially granted with UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special It’s time to take a leap in our humanity Consultative Status and finally overcome these issues that have plagued people for millennia, and to 2019 - FAF organized its 23rd Session of The Youth Assembly in New York City. engage the youth as leaders of today to achieve this vision. Our Focus Peace & Security The world is still in the midst of several The world is faced with challenges that devastating conflicts. War and violence if left ignored will be near impossible to are not just harmful to human lives and overcome. We have identified four areas livelihoods: they often bring economies to a where we believe youth must have a standstill, wreak havoc on the environment critical voice and involvement: and leave thousands as refugees or in poverty and hunger. Human Development Young people are often disproportionately Human development focuses on affected by armed conflict. Far-reaching improving the lives of all and giving consequences include not only damage to people more freedom and opportunities Environment & Climate Change physical and mental well-being, but also to live lives they value. Today, 736 million extended disruption of educational and Years ago and even more recently, we have people live below the international employment opportunities. poverty line of $1.90 a day, that is 1 in 10 seen catastrophic results from environmental degradation. An estimated 4.2 million deaths people living in extreme povertymaking it Therefore, it is essential that young people occur each year due to air pollution, with 91% impossible to choose the life they want to are equipped with knowledge on global of the world’s population living in areas where live and obtain basic necessities including conflict, and the multidimensional factors pollution exceeds WHO guideline limits. quality and healthcare. that must be addressed to achieve peace. Young people with their fresh ideas and A significant hope lies in young people, In order to enable today’s youth to enjoy open-mindedness must be included as who are increasingly growing up aware and the same opportunities as their parents, participants and stakeholders if long-term conscious of these challenges and are often responsible consumption and production, peace and stability is to be maintained. are vital for a healthy, prosperous, willing to adapt their lifestyles and choices to be more sustainable for the planet. equitable, and sustainable world. Youth A Holistic Perspective play a pivotal role in driving forward sustainable human development in their Technology Each focus area poses underlying challenges communities and at the global stage. As and opportunities, but the work does not stop a society, we need to do more to mobilize New technologies such as Artificial there. One critical and often overlooked is the stakeholders to support youth as they Intelligence, Bio Technology and Robotics hold interdependencies and overlap in impact that effect change through meaningful action tremendous potential for addressing today’s exists among these focus areas. and impact. problems. However, these and others will be fundamentally disruptive forces that will For instance, technology can have a positive change how we work and live. impact on progressing human development; peace is essential to sustainable human In addition, their impact will have very development; and an environment that is different implications for the developed and in decline will create tension that threatens developing world which must be considered. security. We need to balance the pace of change with deep consideration of the ethical and societal Understanding the cross area impact and implications. These are particularly important determining ways to address problems more issues for our youth today, who will be living holistically will be a critical component of and leading in what in so many ways will be a our work. very new world. Our Focus Our Impact Our Solution The driving force behind the Friendship Ambassadors initiative has always been about “change”, transforming lives and Our Impact improving the world for the better. We are on track to become the world’s leading Our Founder Harry Morgan set out to youth development organization, which harnesses change perceptions people had about the power of Friendship as a catalyst for deeper each other by “bridging people, , engagement, learning, action, and impact. and spaces.” Years later, our concert tours We recognize the power in harnessing the passion “ used the soft power of music to promote The Youth Assembly taught unity between nations. Today, The Youth of the FAF community, composed of over 100,000 me that true leaders use their Assembly is a unique platform for young individuals who have taken part in our programs and people who want to change the world. share our values. It is our goal, therefore, to provide platform for the betterment of ways for our community to connect and engage with all and that transformation is a Over the span of 60 years, a Theory of each other, to learn and grow together, and to act and step by step process. Change has thus emerged, which will be make impact. the foundation that we will build upon. Nicholas Onwumere In this regard, we are putting a plan forward that will Ambassador allow us to significantly expand our reach and thus Connect and Engage our ability to make an impact on our world. We seek to enhance understanding among people by bringing diverse communities together and facilitating the exchange of BY THE NUMBERS cultures, ideas, and knowledge. 20,000+ Educate and Develop program participants We work with organizations to strengthen youth’s capacity by providing them with 1,000+ tools they need to become the leaders youth-led projects were generated and changemakers of today and tomorrow. Action and Impact 51,000+ “ subscribers from My experience as a delegate We promote and support the creation of around the world innovative, efficient, and action-oriented at The Youth Assembly was solutions that address today’s global incredibly inspiring, and I hope to be able to use my passion 37,000+ problems and deliver impact at scale. Facebook Likes* as an Ambassador to foster a Enduring Organization similar environment to inspire 14,000+ youth to take action. One of the most important assets in any Instagram Followers* organization is their people. To achieve Maya Gandhi our goals, we aim to focus on three 27,000+ aspects: Systems, Structure, and Staff. Ambassador Our *As of April 2019 Solution AUDIENCE DEMOGRAPHICS* WINNING VENTURES OF THE IMPACT CHALLENGE

North America Europe Through the Impact Challenge youth develop original, impactful, and innovative solutions Regional make-up to human development, peace and security, and environmental issues outlined in the 2030 22.7% 6.8% of youth program participants Global Agenda. The winners receive seed funding and mentorship to help launch their vision into action.

Africa Asia STRAWCTURE ECO CARTAGENA SIENTE 23.1% 22.5% Founder: SHRITI PANDEY Founder: TATIANA BALDIRIS

Middle East To solve the housing shortage in , Cartagena Siente helps women who Oceania Strawcture Eco aims to make living spaces have been victims of domestic violence Latin America and 6.4% more functional, aesthetically desirable, and transforms them into resilient the Caribbean 1.1% environment-friendly and affordable for entrepreneurs competent in the market low-income families in rural and urban by setting up a multidisciplinary 17.3% areas. advisory team, such as legal assessment, psychological orientation, and technical support.

BEHEN

Youth program Founder: VEDHA NAYAK JUMELA participants by occupation 86% 14% Over 142 million women and girls of Founder: JOSHUA EBIN 16-28 years old 29+ years old menstruating age in India don’t have 28.58% Undergraduate Student access to sanitary products. Behen aims JUMELA is a small Nigerian based 34.43% Graduate/Post-graduate Student to provide a culturally-adaptable and agrotechnology recycling venture High School Student Youth program environmentally-conscious solution to low specializing in novel agro-based products rates of feminine hygiene/sanitation in by recycling locally available agricultural Student (Unspecified) participants by age- range India. material with technology to meet our 16.93% 14.52% Working Professional customer’s needs and create value for immediate society.

Female NINJAGIRLS Youth program participants by gender Founder: MOIZ LAKHANI SELFLESSNESS MOVEMENT 52% STEM NinjaGirls provides free self defense Founder: SWATHI ARULGUPPE

Politics, Government, and Public Affairs martial arts-inspired classes for girls in NAGENDRA Male developing countries, which encourage International Relations them to develop a healthy lifestyle. Selflessness Movement helps farmers in

Others India meet the needs of their regional requirements by establishing a support Business line for their debt issues and providing

Social Science 48% best practices to overcome their problems.

Education

Communications

Finance/Accounting

Fine Arts Youth program participants by field 0.00 %5 .00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% of study *Based on 2016-2018 data set Our Impact Our Initiatives

Our Initiatives SCALING UP THE YOUTH EDUCATE/DEVELOP ASSEMBLY INITIATIVE # 3: FA Academy CONNECT/ENGAGE The world is changing at a lightning fast ACTION/IMPACT INITIATIVE # 1: 3,000 attendees per assembly pace, but the problems we are facing are also INITIATIVE # 4: Global Action The Youth Assembly Three assemblies per year becoming more complex than ever before. and Impact Network (GAIN) Two assemblies outside the US Therefore, youth need access to learning Today’s youth are the most interconnected opportunities and resources to help them Our primary goal is creating alliances generation, thanks to the rise of social thrive and meet the challenges of the 21st among youth that lead to action and media and digital technology that forever century. impact. Building upon youth’s unique transformed the way we connect with one strengths and capabilities, we plan to another. Education is core to our Theory of Change, expand our reach and grow youth impact therefore, at The Youth Assembly we help exponentially by establishing a global To date, over 20,000 young people from equip the youth with the skills and knowledge network of Friendship Ambassadors, all across the globe have become they need to take action and make an impact. which we call the Global Action and a Delegate to The Youth Assembly. We work with a number of key experts and Impact Network (GAIN). However, there are many more who esteemed organizations to facilitate a holistic deserve the same opportunity, but do not approach in developing today’s young leaders. This network will be linked through GAIN have the resources to participate due to However, there is a growing need to adapt Hubs located around the world, which geographical and financial constraints. to the needs of youth for access to these will be activated to work from the ground resources. up on issues their communities face. In With ample and consistent support, we addition, this network will also include can fulfill this gap by scaling up our Through the FA Academy, we seek to develop strategic partnerships and alliances with assemblies to accommodate more youth and offer online educational program organizations who align with and help and provide greater access globally. on specialized topics, which may include advance our mission. Youth Leadership, Global Citizenship, Social Innovation, Climate Change, Sustainable CONNECT/ENGAGE Environment, Technology, Human ENDURING ORGANIZATION INITIATIVE # 2: Development, and Diplomacy, and others as INITIATIVE # 5: Organizational FA Global Community requested by our youth community. Capacity

For decades, we have created a thriving An effective talent management network of 100,000+ students, artists, and strategy needs to be in place from talent changemakers from all over the world acquisition to talent development and and hundreds of key leaders and experts retention. In addition, proper tools, and in global development. processes are necessary to encourage innovation and allow staff to work to their While majority of our audience are young Through this membership community, we fullest potential. people, many of them have grown and enable our past and current participants to progressed on their careers years later. connect and engage 365 days a year 24/7. The We aim to create a of innovation Therefore, we aim to create an online platform will also serve as the centralizing with an eye towards future possibilities. community platform, which will serve point where we can manage GAIN, provide Finally, an organizational structure as a common space for our members to access to FA Academy, host virtual conferences, that allows our culture to flourish, and connect, learn, and take action. career opportunities, and networking events. provides staff with opportunities to grow will help create a stable and enduring environment. Our Supporters

We are proud to have worked with a • International Labour • Permanent Mission of Romania • Terracycle wide range of organizations - from small nonprofits to multinational corporations Organization to the • The Campus Kitchens Project throughout the years. • JUMP Foundation • Permanent Mission of to • The Huffington Post • Liter of Light the United Nations • The Nature Conservancy • Accenture • Media Cause • Permanent Mission of Sao Tome • The Resolution Project • frican Renaissance and • Microsoft & Principe to the United Nations • Thought for Food Diaspora Network • NewCities • Permanent Mission of • UNA-USA • Agritecture Consulting • Novartis to the United Nations • UN Department of Global • BRAC-USA • Organica • Permanent Mission of the Communications Civil Society • CARE • Pencil of Promise Kingdom of Serbia to the United Unit • Chemonics • Pepsico Nations • UN Environment • CIVICUS • Permanent Mission of • Permanent Mission of the • UN HABITAT • Climate Reality to the United Nations Kingdom of to the • UN Women • Dear World • Permanent Mission of United Nations • UNESCO • Do Something to the United Nations • Permanent Mission of the • UNICEF-USA • EDJA Foundation • Permanent Mission of to Republic of to the United • United Nations Development • Fairleigh Dickinson University the United Nations Nations Programme (UNDP) • Foundation Center • Permanent Mission of Hungary to • Permanent Mission of the • UNLEASH • G-Diapers the United Nations Republic of Serbia to the United • Virgin Unite • GirlUp • Permanent Mission of to the Nations • Waterkeeper Alliance • Global Young Voices United Nations • Polaris • WEDO • Idealist • Permanent Mission of to • PwC • Whats up Youth • Ideas for Action the United Nations • Rainforest Alliance • WFUNA • Impact Hub NYC • Permanent Mission of • Schwarzman Scholars • World Assembly of Youth • Instagram to the United Nations • Social Accountability • World Bank Group • Institute for Economics and • Permanent Mission of International • World Conservation Society Peace to the United Nations • Space Chain • World Faith • International Center on • Permanent Mission of to • Sustainable Development • Youth Climate Lab Nonviolent Conflict the United Nations Solutions Network Together, let’s empower the generation that will drive our future.

IT’S TIME.

Friendship Ambassadors Foundation [email protected] www.faf.org

Facebook: @FriendshipAmbassadorsFoundation @TheYouthAssembly Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Twitter: is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit @FriendshipAmbas organization • NGO Formally @YouthAssembly Associated with UN Department of Global Communications • ECOSOC Instagram: Special Consultative Status • UNESCO @theyouthassembly Consultative Status