Kid ‘ambassadors’ out to change world
EVEN IF Washington shies away from global efforts to confront climate change and poverty, the city’s newest junior ambassadors stand ready to help.
The program that’s about to expand Tuesday into 20 new city school classrooms has created dozens of ambassadors in training — all with a desire to make the world a better place.
“I believe climate change is real, unlike what other people say,” said Askadeline Milanes, 13, politely refraining from naming any names. “It’s a real problem considering that animal habitats around the world are getting destroyed.”
The eighth-grader from Icahn Charter School 4 in Pelham Gardens, Bronx, who joined the junior ambassador program last year, said she was shocked when President Trump announced in June the U.S. was pulling out of the landmark Paris agreement on climate change.
“We should be able to help, but instead we are ignoring the problem and running away,” she said. “That’s not going to help. You have to be a part of it.”
As a junior ambassador, Askadeline (photo above) has personally given two speeches to members of the United Nations — about gender equality and violence against children. “The first time was very nerveracking, but I got used to it,” the plucky teen said.
Her entire class also visited the UN and has had a senior diplomat visit their class to engage them in global issues.
Each seventh-grade class enrolled in the program has a specific issue to focus on, including poverty, human rights, race identity, global warming, gender equity and immigration.
Classes have organized walks for hunger and children’s rights and raised funds for women’s and girls’ education worldwide, among other activities.
More than 100 schools applied to be a part of the program, which is run by the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs in coordination with the city Department of Education.
As it enters its third year, the program is on track to reach 1,000 students in more than 50 schools across the city.
Once the class project ends, junior ambassadors will still be able to work on global concerns through an alumni program.
The issues they are tackling may be global, but all the benefits will be local, Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner Penny Abeywardena said.
“In this political climate, it is very important to understand what is happening around the world, but we also have to look to our own communities, because that’s where the activation and empowerment begins,” she said.