I’m Sabrina Xu, a 17-year-old advocate for health equity. I currently attend Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, New York City. I value the intersection between healthcare and community service, so since my first year, I have been gaining clinical experience by volunteering in nursing homes, hospitals, and shadowing physicians. I am the founder of Health ProTech, and our mission is to better support the future of patient care by addressing education and talent development in the medical field.
What motivated you to attend the 9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals?
I have always been deeply interested in science and its crucial role in shaping our world. So, when I learnt about the opportunity to attend the 9th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, I was ecstatic. I was eager to hear from world leaders about pressing global issues like poverty, climate change, and education. I wanted to understand how their insights and innovative approaches could be applied to my project and further my understanding. The chance to learn from experts and leaders in the field was an invaluable opportunity I couldn’t miss.
From the perspective of Health ProTech, it is key to have youth-led initiatives included in such important forums because youth bring innovative ideas, a fresh perspective, and a sense of urgency to address pressing global issues.
If you had to pick one word to describe your experience at the Forum, what would it be, and why?
Stimulating. It was definitely a wild experience knowing I was walking into the one and only United Nations Headquarters and into a room full of world leaders. When I was getting my badge, the secretariat looked at me in disbelief over the fact that I was still a teenager. However, it was only after I sat down that I realised it was also the first time for many other adults in the room. So I took a deep breath and enjoyed the day as I listened to leaders speak and reflected on my own experiences.
The forum was a whirlwind of activity, filled with thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and passionate individuals. Each speaker brought their own insight and motivated me to think differently about the challenges we face globally. The diversity of perspectives and depth of expertise were truly inspiring.
Do you believe youth voices were genuinely heard and valued? In what ways?
Indeed. I do feel very honoured and included in that youths were permitted to listen in on the day’s speakers and engage in meaningful exchanges with leaders and ask questions. In these settings, I felt that our ideas were taken seriously and we were seen as valuable contributors to the conversation. I was very comforted by the fact that I was not the only youth there, making the experience lighter and more fun.
Did you feel supported in your involvement? From whom did you receive the most support?
I did feel very supported throughout the entire process. From the start, KIDsforSDGs and their team nominated me for the STI Forum, and they were incredibly encouraging. At the forum itself, the personnel were accommodating and ensured that participants felt welcomed and included. Additionally, the support I received from fellow youth participants was also comforting, allowing us to share experiences, insights, and encouragement.
Any other thoughts to share?
I definitely enjoyed my experience at the STI Forum, and I wish many more secondary school students also get to experience the same sense of responsibility and a taste of the real world. I look forward to working with other youth fellows at LearningPlanet to advance current technologies and initiatives and co-design solutions towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
