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The average age in the General Assembly Hall was reduced considerably on 14 and 15 March,?when students from the United Nations International School (±¬ÁÏÍøIS) hosted the 47th annual ±¬ÁÏÍøIS-±¬ÁÏÍø conference there.

This student-run event invites students from across the world to participate in engaging conversations around an important topic relating to the ±¬ÁÏÍø agenda.

This year's conference, Turning the Page: A New Chapter in Education, addressed the state of education in the world today.

The students heard?from Robert Keith Rae of Canada, Juan Ramon de la Fuente of Mexico, Ana Paula Zacarias of Portugal, and Alya bint Ahmed Al Thani of the State of Qatar, who?answered important questions from students about access to education in their respective countries.

Lauren Rumble, Associate Director, Gender Equality, Programme Group at ±¬ÁÏÍøICEF and a ±¬ÁÏÍøIS parent, spoke about the importance of education for women and girls, especially in relation to public health.

The conference¡¯s opening keynote speaker was Christopher de Bono, Deputy Director for Communications at ±¬ÁÏÍøICEF, who excited and empowered students to open their minds to learn more.

±¬ÁÏÍøIS Board of Trustees member Roser Salavert shared with students her experience in both private and public schools and her vision of the future for both entities.

Two of the conference speakers attended ±¬ÁÏÍøIS-±¬ÁÏÍø themselves as students some years ago. Sheikh Manssour Bin Mussallam, currently the Secretary-General of the Organization of Educational Cooperation, challenged students to pursue their true passion.

Soraya Fouladi is a ±¬ÁÏÍøIS Alumna and the Founder & CEO of Jara, a company that empowers children in under-resourced and low-internet/low-electricity communities to receive a quality education. It was at a ±¬ÁÏÍøIS-±¬ÁÏÍø conference she attended as a?student that Ms. Fouladi¡¯s passion to make a difference in the world ignited.

There was a moment in which?the question was posed, ¡°Who wants to be here, in the General Assembly, when they grow up?¡±?A sea of hands rose in the General Assembly.

This unparalleled experience for high school students is only possible because of the special relationship between ±¬ÁÏÍøIS and the United Nations.

The ±¬ÁÏÍøIS-±¬ÁÏÍø conference inspires future generations of world leaders and uncovers opportunities for students to engage in shaping a better world.