Adobe Youth Voices Earns Audience at the United Nations

Since its beginnings in 2006, the Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) program has given more than 80,000 young people and educators in more than 45 countries a voice. It’s a voice these young people have used to comment on their world, share their passions – and sometimes their perils – and take action on issues that matter to them and their communities. Today, AYV’s collective voice was heard on one of the largest and most prestigious stages in the program’s history.

As part of the United Nations General Assembly on Youth, AYV program director Miguel Salinas had the privilege of addressing the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City. Miguel shared the experiences and successes that AYV has realized in using technology to empower youth from underserved communities to express themselves and create change. In his remarks, Miguel discussed the broad impact that AYV is having and the lessons the program has unearthed for using technology to bridge social, economic and geographic divides. He also shared specific testimonials from AYV youth and educators on how social expression through media has changed them as individuals and changed their worlds.

Miguel’s address to the General Assembly came as part of the UN’s high-level meeting on youth in which member states and invited speakers are gathered under the theme of “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.” The meeting is the highlight of the UN’s declared International Year of Youth.

The proceedings of the two-day, high-level meeting, along with videos of invited speakers, can be accessed at the United Nations webcast page. Miguel is also planning to blog about his visit to the United Nations later in the week. We’re tremendously proud of Miguel and proud of the entire AYV community as it continues in its drive to “Create With Purpose.”