Education
Turma do Jiló at NEXUS: Youth, Malala, and Gender Equality
Youth from Turma do Jiló experience inspiring days at the NEXUS Global Summit in New York, featuring presentations and a significant meeting with Malala Yousafzai.
Turma do Jiló brought its young volunteers to the NEXUS Global Summit in New York, a global UN event. There, they connected with world leaders, presented on gender equality, and had an emotional meeting with Malala Yousafzai. This experience underscores the importance of inclusive education and female empowerment.
The final day of the NEXUS Global Summit in New York was filled with emotion and learning for the team and young volunteers of Turma do Jiló. The event, a global UN gathering, brought together brilliant minds from over 70 countries, including philanthropists and activists, with the aim of accelerating social impact. For the youth, expectations were high: to hear Malala Yousafzai speak and present their own ideas.
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A Journey of Connections and Active Voice
From early morning, the energy was palpable. The Turma do Jiló group set off for NEXUS with the mission to network, learn from panels, and most importantly, give a voice to young people. The “breakout rooms” — themed sessions on topics like the environment and gender equality — were crucial spaces for interaction, where experts debated and participants presented their projects.
Our youth prepared for a panel on gender equality, where they would not only share the mission of Turma do Jiló but also the inspiring story of its founder, Carola (Carolina Videira). The opportunity to present at a global forum was seen as a moment of empowerment and enrichment for everyone, allowing the youth voice to resonate.
The Inspiring Encounter with Malala
One of the most anticipated moments was participating in Malala Yousafzai's panel. The anticipation was high, with hopes of getting closer to the activist. And the effort paid off: the Turma do Jiló team managed to get five minutes with Malala.
Malala delivered a powerful message to the youth, encouraging them to believe in themselves and their dreams. She emphasized the importance of being the first to believe in their ideas to then convince others. Her speech highlighted the need for equal opportunities for all girls and women, regardless of their background or area of interest, and everyone's responsibility to fight injustice.
Youth as Protagonists: Carola's Story and the Fight for Gender Equality
Beyond listening to Malala, the youth of Turma do Jiló were protagonists themselves. In one of the breakout rooms, they took turns telling the story of Carola, the organization's founder. Carola's narrative illustrates her journey of overcoming challenges: after the birth of her son with multiple disabilities, she faced prejudice in the workplace, being forced to choose between her career and motherhood. From this experience, Carola decided to fight for a more inclusive world, founding Turma do Jiló.
The youth also presented alarming data on gender inequality in Brazil and globally, highlighting that Brazilian women are 34% more likely to graduate from higher education but less likely to secure employment. A UN survey, indicating that 80% of the population holds some form of prejudice against women, underscored the urgency of the discussion. The final message was a call to sorority and collective action: “rising and raising others”, to create a better world where no one is left behind. Turma do Jiló's Youth Volunteer Project empowers these young people with social responsibility, critical thinking, and philanthropy, transforming them into agents of change.
Conclusion and Final Reflections
After intense days of learning and connections, the Turma do Jiló team concluded its participation in NEXUS. The New York experience, which included moments of fellowship and sightseeing, culminated in an emotional closing dynamic. The founder, Carola, thanked all the young people for their growth and for sharing this journey. The final message was an appeal to never let the inner dreaming child die, reminding them that together it is much easier to transform the world. Turma do Jiló and its youth proved to be an important group, with the power to impact and change realities, advocating that inclusive education and diversity are pillars for a more just and welcoming society.
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