MCV’s United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Session 2024:
Preserving Indigenous Knowledge for Future Generations
Watch MCV’s UN side session featuring the Maasai from Kenya and Tanzania and the Kumeyaay from San Diego and Tijuana as they share their collaborative efforts to preserve and pass down traditional wisdom to future generations. This session highlights the role of youth leadership, cross-cultural dialogue, and sustainability initiatives in strengthening Indigenous knowledge and global connections.
MCV held a successful side session in New York for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum on April 18, 2024, titled “Youth-Led Sustainability Initiative for Global Impact.” This gathering brought together Indigenous elders from the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania and the Kumeyaay of San Diego and Tijuana to engage with San Diego youth at the UN Forum in meaningful dialogue on preserving traditional knowledge and shaping a shared future.
The event highlighted collaborative efforts in cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and Indigenous-led innovation, emphasizing the role of youth leadership in advancing sustainable solutions. Through cross-cultural exchanges and discussions on community resilience, ecological sustainability, and health and welfare, participants explored pathways to integrate Indigenous knowledge into modern solutions while strengthening a global network of Indigenous leaders.
The session reinforced the importance of community-led cultural institutions, particularly cultural centers in Amboseli, Kenya, and San Diego, California, as vital hubs for passing down ancestral knowledge, preserving traditional practices, and integrating Indigenous design principles into modern society. It also showcased the contributions of partners such as San Diego Sister Cities and Flowers for the Future, highlighting their efforts in empowering youth as future leaders and connecting youth with a network of youth in over 20 countries through the Sister Cities network, driven by the shared goals of fostering global peace.
By fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration, this initiative empowered the next generation to sustain and celebrate their heritage while advancing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Watch the Full-Length Video (Unedited)
