The Tribune

On Wednesday, September 19, the US Embassy hosted a roundtable discussion between Anita Botti, the Chief of Staff and Principal Deputy in the US Secretary of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues and a group of students from St Andrew’s High School’s Model UN programme.

The programme is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate students about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.

The forum gave the seven St Andrew’s students who participate in the after-school programme the opportunity to engage Ms Botti in a thought-provoking discussion about the challenges facing women globally and efforts made by Bahamian organisations, such as the Crisis Centre, to promote and protect the status of women.

Ms Botti and the students candidly discussed a myriad of international issues with a focus on gender equality and the critical role that youth play in advancing the growth and development of a society.

Ms Botti also highlighted initiatives advanced by the Obama Administration including policies focused on strategies to stem gender based violence, foster the global advancement of women, and promote peace and security.

Throughout the discussion, Ms Botti emphasised to the Model UN students that they represent the future and must remain committed to being catalysts for positive change in their communities.

She also encouraged the St Andrew’s students to use their interest in world events and their role as leaders to speak for their generation in the pursuit of respect for all and gender equality.