Maher Nasser, director of the outreach division in the United Nations Department of Public Information, spoke to Utah Valley University students November 28th. He highlighted the U.N.’s sustainability goals and the upcoming 2019 U.N. conference that will be hosted in Salt Lake City.
Nasser said the U.N. has been focused on sustainable environmental goals since 2015. He explained the U.N.’s current role is to mitigate the damage that is already occurring, and create more resilient communities and facilities. The U.N. is also assisting refugees affected by conditions caused by climate change. Nasser said multilateralism, or the involvement of multiple governments, is key to finding sustainable solutions.
“Scientists agree that the current climate change that is happening and impacting the world is caused by humans,” said Nasser. “It’s happening, it’s more than global warming.”
Nasser encouraged students to not wait for an invitation to participate in discussions regarding issues that affect them, but rather seek those opportunities. Including during the upcoming United Nations NGO Conference in Salt Lake City August28-30, 2019.
“You’re future as young people is at stake,” said Nasser. “We want students to take part in the talks and to present.”
The three-day conference is the first-ever U.N. conference in the U.S. held outside of their New York City headquarters. The event will take place in late August.
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About Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University is home to more than 35,000 students. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and in the seven decades since has evolved into a technical school, community college, state college, and, finally, a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees.
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