UNANIMA International will be hosting a side event co-sponsored by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at the United Nations 59th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) called “Youth Perspectives on Family Homelessness and Technology.” In panel format, the event will primarily give voice to the perspectives of people with lived experience of homelessness/displacement. We will also hear from university students on how Family Homelessness is affected by technology. This will include theexamination of the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all, especially the most marginalized of our world (migrants, refugees, visible and hidden homeless populations).
“We as interns and volunteers at UNANIMA International have seen the need of speaking up and educating through a thorough research on the reality that surrounds us. At the same time, we recognize the necessity of creating a space for learning and evaluating our own work though theoretical lenses so our work can improve and hopefully improve humanity’s well-being. We believe that this event is necessary in order to present a deeper view on relevant topics. Our panel will offer insight on essential areas such as human trafficking, women’s empowerment, inequality as a driver of homelessness, experiences of hidden homelessness, and experiences of displacement. In order to further advance in these topics, testimonies of people who have experienced how technology has influenced situations of homelessness and housing insecurity are essential. Hearing a specific testimony might aid individuals to realize how these issues discussed in the panel actually affect the population.”
Our youth speakers include: St. John’s University students:Arianna Papponne (Italy), Rocio Moron (Spain) Ammaar Dawood (USA); Ajifanta Marenah, also a St. John’s student who also has lived experience (The Gambia/USA); Mason Modiste will share about their lived experience as a youth who faced homelessness (USA); and Kirin Taylor, UNANIMA International’s Research Fellow (USA). Additionally, our moderator, Molly Gerke (Australia) is UNANIMA International’s Executive Assistant.
