2024 UN General Assembly Summit of the Future, Climate Week and Side Events

The UN General Assembly (UNGA)—the annual meeting of the world’s presidents and prime ministers—has grown from its earliest days as a governance and financial meeting into a ten-day-long event at which leaders from corporations, foundations, government agencies, and civil society organizations like JA meet to discuss the most pressing challenges of our time and collaborate on solutions.

At this year’s event—UNGA79, named in recognition of the 79th time this body has met—JA will will advocate for policies and initiatives that empower youth, especially underserved youth; recognize their boundless potential; and prepare them for the future of work. In addition, we’ll center young voices during these important global discussions, ensuring that young people have a voice in the decisions being made about their future.

Wednesday, September 25

Youth Voices: Conversations about the Future of Work

Junior Achievement of New York and JA Worldwide are organizing a conversation with young people and C-suite executives, hosted at the JA New York Finance Park location in the Garment District. We’ll pair young people (ages 16–25) with senior executives from a range of for-profits sectors, including technology, consulting, manufacturing, insurance, etc. The young people will ask questions of the executives to encourage discussion of how these companies are gearing up for the workplace of the future in topics ranging from gender equality to sustainability.

Although the facility can hold a fairly large group in-person—and we welcome attendees to see the JA facility and panel in-person—the primary audience will be via livestream.

Please Join Us

If you’re eager to hear ideas about the workplace of the future, as envisioned by young leaders in conversation with established corporate leaders, this panel is for you! Attendees may include corporate executives, sustainability officers, ESG and DEI officers, HR and employee-wellness executives, JA teachers and business volunteers, young people, reporters, and more.

Location

Junior Achievement of New York Finance Park, 230 W. 38th Street, 2nd Floor

Schedule

• 10:00–11:00am: Doors open, light continental breakfast available

• 11:00–11:45am: Panel discussion begins

• 11:45am–12:30pm: Pizza party and further discussion and networking

• 12:30pm: Livestream airs

Reserve Your Place

Seating is limited, so please let us know that you’ll be joining us:

Thursday, September 26

Creating Inclusive Funding Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs

Z Zurich Foundation and JA Worldwide are organizing an in-person UNGA thought leadership panel, hosted at the Zurich American Insurance Company in the Financial District of New York City.

Young entrepreneurs face enormous challenges in obtaining funding for their start-up ventures, given limited access to capital, resources, and network that could make their ventures more investment-friendly. In this panel, we’ll heighten awareness around the financial exclusion of young entrepreneurs, sharing the experiences and impact Z Zurich Foundation and JA have had while working together in Africa as a starting point to scale the conversation.

Please Join Us

If you’re with a multilateral development financial institution, a venture capital fund, an alternative fund, a government agency focused on micro- and small-business development, a corporation or foundation investing in underserved markets as part of your portfolio, an NGO focused on financing underserved entrepreneurs, a policy/research institute, or a media channel focused on entrepreneurship or financial inclusion, this panel is for you!

Location

Zurich American Insurance Company, Four World Trade Center (150 Greenwich Street)
(Please note that your ID will be checked at the front desk.)

Schedule

• 8:00–8:40am: Doors open, breakfast served

• 8:40­–9:30am: Panel discussion

• 9:30–9:50am: Q&A

• 9:50–10:30am: Networking

Reserve Your Place

Seating is limited, so please let us know that you’ll be joining us: