Hundreds of global experts and leaders began a three-day United Nations-sponsored conference at Utah Valley University (UVU) today. “Why It Matters” is a first-of-its-kind academic conference resulting from a longtime partnership between the UN and UVU. Special guests on campus included representatives from Uganda, Cameroon, Peru, India, Thailand, Afghanistan, and Spain, as well as former Congressman Nick Lampson of Texas.

More than 70 international presentations on the United Nations will be given between October 5 and October 7, addressing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These goals include no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice, and strong institutions; and partnerships.

During the conference’s opening session, UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez said, “The main takeaway [of the conference] is hope is the opposite of despair.” President Tuminez went on to detail that the world's issues often cause people to feel deep despair; however, the papers and actionable ideas presented during this conference can help bring citizens, academics, and leaders hope and optimism.

The day began with a press conference with panel members UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, UN Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement Robert Skinner, UN Chief of Education Outreach Jayashri Wyatt, Chief International Officer for UVU Baldomero Lago, and Communications Officer of UN NGO Relations and Advocacy Felipe Queipo. Each spoke about the importance of the conference and the benefits of shared ideas and solutions.

Larry Cesspooch, spiritual leader of the Ute Tribe, performed a land acknowledgment. Inspirational remarks were also provided by President Tuminez; Robert Skinner; Franz Kolb from the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development; L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Lauren Taylor, a UVU student and youth representative to the conference.

The UVU Contemporary Dance Ensemble performed a compelling dance about community — an excerpt of the dance “To Have and To Hold,” choreographed by Shapiro & Smith. Ramu Damodaran, a conference executive board member, offered closing remarks for the session.

The conference will be livestreamed in 80 languages, and the inaugural session is available here.

Youth representative Lauren Taylor said, “Two different words, two different meanings, two different truths. That is the amazing thing about global conferences like this. We have all come from different places, different lived experiences, and we’re all here to share our truths.”

The 21st Century Refugees special session featured a panel of six youth refugees who now live in Utah. The panelists were Seyyed Ahmadi of Afghanistan, Dona Ibrahim of Somalia, Chit Chit Poe of Myanmar, Silvain Sangano of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tamim Solhadost of Afghanistan, and Alexandra Zubko of Ukraine. Robert Skinner moderated the panel. Before beginning the discussion, Solhadost took a moment to honor the 53 people killed in the Kabul, Afghanistan, school bombing on September 30, 2022.

The panelists detailed feelings of depression after immigrating and experiencing cultural and language hurdles. However, they also expressed gratitude for the support they felt from people in the United States. Solhadost discussed his experience of receiving support from organizations and helping fellow refugees navigate journeys he had already taken, such as obtaining a driver’s license or learning English. Sangano expressed his desire to be an advocate for refugees and to bring awareness to refugee camps.

Ibrahim detailed her experience of feeling isolated in the U.S., particularly in Utah. She shared how she turned adversity into motivation in her first job as a writer. “So what if I’m the only immigrant Black Muslim person of color in the writer’s room?” she said. “I’m going to use that to my advantage because I had a unique perspective to share in that room that nobody else had.” Ibrahim added that she has often heard the rhetoric about refugees’ lack of ability or ambition, but that it is patently untrue, as she has observed how hard refugees work.

Solhadost discussed heavy feelings associated with leaving a war-torn country while feeling grief and pain for the people left behind. “Our people now are in a bad situation,” he said. “They don’t have food; they are all killed. I feel so sad because we are human — if we feel pain in our one finger, we will feel pain in our whole body. War is the same as this; it does not matter where we are from; we are all human. We are [the] same.”

One theme among the panelists was uncertainty — uncertainty related to being in refugee camps, wondering what will happen next and how long they will be permitted in the U.S. To compound the uncertainty is the incredible amount of time some refugees must wait to immigrate. Ahmadi shared that his family spent ten years in Turkey awaiting approval to enter the U.S.

When asked by an audience member how institutions like UVU can assist refugees, a prominent answer among panelists was financial support. Many refugees have very little wealth and often struggle to find work in the U.S., even in areas in which they are qualified. Goals like attending college are challenging without the university’s financial backing.

Ibrahim eloquently answered the final question to the panelists by saying, “Be kind to everyone. You never know the situation they were in, and kindness really does go a long way.”

Solhadost ended the session by asking the UN not to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate governing body because of its acts of terrorism and persecution in Afghanistan. “Recognizing the Taliban is, in fact, recognizing terrorists,” he said.

Tomorrow’s major events include a service project in the Sorensen Student Center Grand Ballroom, where 2,000 newborn kits will be assembled for refugee families. The events also include a sustainable fashion show featuring multiple international designers.