As a legacy program of the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference, local nonprofit Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, in partnership with former Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski and UN Conference Finance Committee Chair Chris Redgrave, are launching the Global Leaders Scholarship Fund that aims to engage Utah youth, ages 18-32, with opportunities to work on global issues with people from the world. The Global Leaders Scholarship Fund will give students studying at Utah colleges and universities the opportunity to travel and attend global conferences and events.
The 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference, hosted in Salt Lake City in 2019, was a historic event as it was the first time a United Nations Conference was held on American soil outside of the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It drew thousands of people from across Utah and the world, 40% of whom were youth. With a vision to continue to engage Utah’s youth in global conversations, UN Committee Finance Chair Chris Redgrave and Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski allocated funds to establish the Global Leaders Scholarship Fund.
Housed as a program of Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, the intention of the Global Leaders Scholarship Fund is to give youth without the financial means the opportunity to engage in international conversations that deal with the issues the world is facing today, including climate change, social justice, poverty, and equity.
“I am truly grateful to Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy for partnering with me and co-founder, Chris Redgrave, on the creation of the Global Leaders Scholarship Fund” said Jackie Biskupski. “This is a legacy project we had envisioned while bringing to fruition the United Nations 68th Civil Society Conference in 2019. This is an extraordinary opportunity to keep our youth connected to global conversations that will lead to an inclusive and sustainable world for all to live.”
In recognition of International Youth Day, Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy and the scholarship committee will be hosting several virtual events to help kickoff the Scholarship Fund. Speakers include Hon. Jackie Biskupski, Hon. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Hon. David Litvack, and representatives from U of U, Erika George, UVU, Dr. Baldomero Lago, and SLCC, Mario Organista, as well as others. Registration is free and open to all.
