Topics covered during the Summer School
The curriculum delivered as part of the UNAOC – EF Summer School helps to address issues at the core of the United Nations’ mandate: peace and security, development, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and international law. More precisely, given the specific mandate of UNAOC to improve cross-cultural understanding and cooperation among countries, peoples and communities and EF’s mission of opening the world through education, the focus will be on global challenges linked to intercultural dialogue and understanding.
The interactive program of workshops, discussions and site visits immerses participants in knowledge and action around cultural and religious diversity: how to better understand it, manage it, promote it and leverage it to shape a world that is healthier, safer, more peaceful and inclusive. Different approaches are applied, including advocacy, narratives, multimedia, negotiation, theater, and social entrepreneurship.
Some of the questions we explore during the week
- How can we build alliances in and across our communities and rally people to our cause?
- What happens when culture is marginalized? What tools can we develop to address this?
- How can we reduce identity-based tensions and collaborate across differences?
- How can one further develop as a leader and agent of social change and sustain this effort?
- How can we develop and grow strong international networks of committed individuals?
- How can the United Nations and young people work together to address conflict and build lasting peace?
- How does New York City leverage its diversity? How do communities organize, promote greater intercultural harmony, and advocate for social justice and equality of opportunities? How does this speak to other contexts?
A world-class international campus
The UNAOC-EF Summer School will be held on EF’s historic American campus in Tarrytown, New York. Participants will be hosted on the center’s 25-acre campus, which boasts on site residences, student lounges, a fitness center and swimming pool.
A visit to UN headquarters in New York City
One highlight of this year’s Summer School will be a visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the UN space, how it operates and addresses issues such as disarmament, peace and security. A special panel discussion will be arranged in which they can engage with UN officials.
In summary, the Summer School seeks to:
- Facilitate moments of encounter, exchange and skill-building between young people;
- Strengthen young people’s capacity to get involved in the preparation and implementation of joint action across divides;
- Support youth in maximizing their impact as they bring about social change;
- Promote collaborative relationships between people from diverse backgrounds;
- Develop a network of alumni and make it a true platform for joint action to help address global challenges.