Global Schools Hosts Workshop on Education and Innovation at AFS Youth Assembly

On August 18th, the Global Schools Program hosted an interactive workshop at the AFS Youth Assembly in New York City. The 2024 AFS Youth Assembly, themed “Forge Our Shared Future,” was an inspiring event that empowered young leaders and changemakers. Held on August 17 and August 18 at Convene Brookfield Place, the assembly featured sessions addressing key global issues across four tracks: Climate Action, the Future of Education, Tackling Humanitarian Crises, and Food Security. The event successfully fostered an international network of young people through exchange, education, action, and the showcase of impactful, youth-led initiatives.

Global Schools has been a program partner of the AFS Youth Assembly for three consecutive years, and hosted a workshop for this year’s youth delegates, titled: Youth-Driven Innovation in Global Education. Global Schools’ Director, Amanda Abrom, and Global Schools Project Officer for Education, Nene Onyedi Ibezim, led the session.

During the session, young people learned about Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the work of the Global Schools Program, with a specific focus on how technology and innovation can enhance ESD, as well as the specific challenges and opportunities for supporting schools across the world. In addition, examples of Global Schools educators putting ESD into action were shared. Afterward, workshop participants engaged in a guided brainstorming session to come up with an innovative solution on one of the following 4 topics: access to quality STEM education, gender equity in STEM fields, integration of technology in learning, and education for sustainable development in STEM disciplines. Participants took turns sharing insights from their discussions.

Global Schools thanks the AFS Intercultural Programs for their continued partnership, and looks forward to future collaborations in years to come. For more information, please visit globalschoolsprogram.org