This summer, Peace Boat US proudly welcomed 14 interns to its Summer Internship Program, representing a diverse range of academic institutions from across the United States, including Tufts University, Harvard University, Indiana University, The New School, Pace University and Duke University. Several of these interns joined through newly established university partnerships, reflecting Peace Boat US’s expanding network of academic collaboration and youth engagement. Over the course of the program, interns had the unique opportunity to engage in a wide array of activities, from participating in high-level United Nations conferences to organizing and attending grassroots initiatives such as community beach cleanups.
In addition to the internship, the Peace Boat US Youth for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program took place on the 120th Global Voyage from Montego Bay, Jamaica, to Cristobal, Panama, sailing through the Panama Canal to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and concluding in Manzanillo, Mexico. Thirteen youth from around the world, including 5 Peace Boat US summer interns, participated in this study program.
Hear what several of them had to say about the summer:
Alejandro Forero Rey, Tufts University, Intern
This experience has strengthened my understanding of multilateral cooperation, sustainable development, and peacebuilding. I’m grateful to Peace Boat US and the team behind it for fueling my passion to advocate for a better future.
Cecilia Polanco, Duke University, Intern & Youth for the SDGs
I truly felt like a global citizen through this trip, as I learned about local contexts, stories, and experiences, and realized we are dealing with shared problems with different backdrops, and that we have solidarity, ideas, and hope to share together. I was proud to have shared information on movements coming from the UN and global leadership that explicitly named and documented the commitment to youth leadership globally.
Shayna Ssanyu, Tufts University, Intern & Youth for the SDGs
I understand the importance of community engagement and partnerships for the goals much better now after working collaboratively with so many partners and institutions towards our experiential learning. I’ve seen how some of our goals can exist in a vacuum, and partnerships are therefore necessary. We shouldn’t tackle the SDGs alone but rather through shared responsibility between individuals, our governments, and civil society.
Signe Smith, Harvard University, Intern
This internship has been formative for me both personally and professionally, and I will carry what I learned with me as I continue my studies and future work in global affairs.
Delia Glavan, Pace University, Intern & Youth for the SDGs
The Youth for SDGs scholar position brought the opportunity to have contact and learn from so many communities, including youth leaders, Indigenous groups, and scientists. The internship has taught me about the guiding principles and skills needed for leading an international non-governmental organization, and how partnerships are essential in building long-lasting and impactful movements. It also allowed me to raise my voice on matters that are important to me.
Oshin Whyte, Turks and Caicos, Youth for the SDGs
This has been a wonderful and truly educational experience and I would encourage budding scientists, social justice warriors, and young people to participate!