UNITAR Successfully Launches Inaugural "President of the General Assembly Fellowship for HOPE"

Harnessing Opportunities for Promoting Empowerment of Youth

10 January 2022, New York, USA – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA), successfully launched its flagship initiative, the 2022 President of the General Assembly Fellowship for HOPE (Harnessing Opportunities for Promoting Empowerment of Youth) on 10 January 2022. As envisioned by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th General Assembly, and his Presidency of Hope, this Fellowship programme aims to promote youth engagement in multilateralism and support the next generation of diplomats, particularly from underrepresented countries (LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS) at the United Nations, while also ensuring geographical representation and gender balance.

The PGA Fellowship for HOPE, which lasts through the tenure of the 76th GA, has brought 8 young diplomats/civil servants working for their countries’ foreign ministries to UNHQ in New York for an intensive, multifaceted programme. The 2022 HOPE Fellows will rotate through OPGA’s six substantive working teams (Peace & Security; Human Rights; Humanitarian; Sustainable Development; Reform, Legal & Budget; and Communications), work closely with their Permanent Missions on various responsibilities, and receive weekly UNITAR training workshops on UN processes and relevant topics.

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10 January served as orientation day for the 2022 HOPE Fellows, which began at their accommodations with an informal breakfast organized by UNITAR. Orientation resumed at UNHQ with an introductory meeting chaired by Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, Chef de Cabinet of the 76th OPGA, and Mr. Marco Suazo, Head of UNITAR Office in New York. The Fellows spent the rest of their first day getting acquainted with their new workplace for the next nine months. UNITAR is pleased to co-facilitate this flagship initiative and consistently engage with the 2022 HOPE Fellows during its weekly workshops. The 2022 PGA Fellowship for HOPE lasts through the mandate of the 76th GA and is generously funded via voluntary Member State contributions.

UNITAR and OPGA are excited to introduce the 2022 cohort of the PGA Fellowship for HOPE: Ms. Jigme Wangmo, of Bhutan; Ms. Jaala Jeremiah, of Nauru; Ms. Diedra Sealey, of Grenada; Ms. Stella Kamukama, of Uganda; Mr. Mohamed Fofana, of Guinea; Ms. Margaret Tatenda Chikawa, of Zimbabwe; Mr. Phongsavath Mahathilath, of Lao PDR; and Mr. Javier Spencer, of Antigua and Barbuda.

Read what the 2022 HOPE Fellows are hoping to gain from the Fellowship

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