Boys Town New York

Sharnise, a Boys Town New York youth, learned about being a true world leader at the third annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations.

New York Youth Thinks Globally at the U.N.

At just 16 years old, Sharnise is already considered a leader. Now, this Boys Town New York program graduate is taking her vision all the way to the United Nations.

In August, Sharnise attended the third annual Youth Assembly, "Tomorrow's Leaders Today," where young leaders from around the globe gathered at the U.N. Headquarters to learn how they can make a difference in the world.

"Sharnise was selected to attend the conference because she genuinely enjoys a good debate and has the ability to support her opinions," says Pola Livingston, Boys Town New York Residential Consultant. "By meeting people of many cultures, I think she will be far more able to develop her natural leadership qualities."

"I liked being around so many people who wanted to discuss current issues. It helped motivate me," said Sharnise. "I learned that every generation leaves something for the next that they must learn to handle."

At the conference, Sharnise attended workshops that discussed the Assembly's Millennium Development Goals, which include developing methods to eradicate poverty, hunger and diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria around the globe; finding ways to make education available to all people; promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women; making sure mothers and children receive the same quality healthcare benefits in as many countries as possible; ensuring that the Earth is genuinely cared for by all it's citizens, and that we share in a global partnership for development in every country possible.

"This important U.N. gathering is not about one specific issue, as so many here are, but about our future on this planet," said Patrick Sciarratta, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Executive Director, who spoke at the assembly. "The future of the United Nations is, to my mind, the future of a peaceful world. Its goals and initiatives. may only be accomplished by young people who are invited into the 'house' to meet and learn and share in a professional and engaging atmosphere."

"Being at the U.N. helped me learn about the world issues," said Sharnise. "I met so many people at the U.N. who wanted to change things that were going on in the world."

During her time at the conference, Sharnise met and spoke with Heads of State, world leaders and Olympians, including Sciarratta, Dr. Elaine Valdov, Secretary General for the Youth Assembly at the United Nations, Rene Taylor, Former South African Youth Commissioner appointed by Nelson Mandela, U.S. Olympic rower Kate Johnson, U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning Women's Hockey Team member Alana Blahoski, and Jamaican Olympian Devon Harris, whose experience as a member of the first Jamaican bobsled team was the inspiration for the Disney movie "Cool Runnings," and many other individuals from across the world who take pride in implementing the Millennium Development Goals of the Assembly.

"Sharnise told me this was the first time she had had the opportunity to meet individuals so influential," said Zankhana Shukla, Boys Town New York Program Support Services Coordinator, who accompanied Sharnise to the event. "I was really proud of her for not shying away in talking about her experience with Boys Town. Her honesty about her background was truly inspiring, not only to myself, but to the individuals she met."

Sharnise and Shukla were also able to attend the Cultural Night at the Turkish Cultural Center, where youth from across the globe performed music and dance as well as displayed a variety of art that represents their culture.

"It was truly an experience that I will remember," said Sharnise. "I felt like I was doing a good deed. Next time I'll bring a friend."