CILA 2018 Featured the Participation of More Than 500 Young People

The International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2018) finished up its 14th edition on Wednesday, October 24 with the participation of more than 500 young people from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and other countries in the region. After three days of work, the event culminated in awards being presented to the most impressive delegations.

The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (ANU-RD, for its initials in Spanish),
Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), its sister organization in the United States the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), in collaboration with the Globalmuners Mexican Civil Association, organized the event, which for 14 years has impacted the lives of thousands of young people.

The Table of Honour was made up of the Executive
Director of ANU-RD, Edwin Jackson; the Permanent Representative from Egypt to the United Nations and President of the G77 + China, his Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edress; the Globalmuners General Director, Pilar Sandoval; the Director of the GFDD office in New York and Director of Funglode’s Educational Activities Program, Yamile Eusebio; the Director of the United Nations Information Center in Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Giancarlo Summa; the Director
General of Harvard Model United Nations, Mrs. Kayla Hollingsworth; the President of Harvard International Relations Council, Mrs. Eliza Ennís and the Secretary General of CILA 2018, Mr. Jorge Fernández.

A procession by the International Court of Justice judges led by President Leitha Mejía and Vice-President Guillermo Sarita initiated the ceremony.
Secretary General of CILA 2018, Jorge Fernández, gave a motivating speech in which he emphasized the role of young
people as sources of change for today’s society. “Each one of you has had an important role in the development and success of this edition of CILA. Hats off to you, for your work, dedication and effort,” he said.

His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Edress, spoke to the delegates, expressing his appreciation and satisfaction for participating in such a transcendent event like CILA. He thanked and congratulated the involved organizations for their
role in the achieving such great success at the conference. For her part, Mrs. Kayla Hollingsworth, President of the Harvard International Relations Council, stressed the extraordinary impact that participating in the model United Nations conferences had on her life.

Zoidi Carpio, Sofía Moquete and Jorge Fernández, organizers of the Youth Consultation Forum on Sustainable Development, formally presented to the Director of the United Nations Information Center in Mexico,
Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Giancarlo Summa the “Youth Declaration on Gender Equality,” a result of work carried out during the forum.

Also, the Volunteer corps of ANU-RD (V-ANURD) presented a video in honor of the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. Taking place alongside the United Nations Organization Day, the video presentation highlighted the greatest contributions made by the former Secretary General to the UN and the
international community.

Mrs. Kayla Hollingsworth and Mrs. Eliza Ennís received special acknowledgment.

The most anticipated moment for the students was the presentation of awards to the most impressive delegations by commissions; to educational institutions (elementary, high school and universities).

Jorge Fernández hit the gavel to close proceedings amidst the chatter of hundreds of students and teachers who filled the Convention
Center of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.