The U.S. Department of State’s Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues, Abby Finkenauer, will travel to Sri Lanka and Nepal from November 12-15, 2024. This visit highlights the United States’ commitment to empowering young leaders in South Asia, fostering collaboration on civic engagement, and addressing key issues such as youth leadership, cultural preservation, and community resilience.
In Sri Lanka, Special Envoy Finkenauer will witness the impact of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership in action, seeing firsthand how programs in education, leadership, and civic engagement are empowering young leaders and fostering social and economic growth. Alongside U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, the Special Envoy will engage the Embassy’s Youth Forum and alumni from the Emerging Leaders Academy, a USAID-supported initiative that encourages civic engagement and leadership among underrepresented groups. She will speak with the U.S. Embassy-supported Women in Motion program, which encourages young women to pursue careers in creative industries and visit successful young entrepreneurs whose achievements reflect the impact of U.S.-supported skills-building programs.
In Nepal, Special Envoy Finkenauer will meet with young political leaders and alumni of U.S.-funded exchange programs to discuss challenges and opportunities in youth leadership. She will participate in a roundtable with social media influencers, addressing critical topics such as cyberbullying and misinformation and connect with U.S. Youth Council members to discuss foreign policy priorities and observe their mock election program. Through this trip, Special Envoy Finkenauer aims to deepen partnerships with South Asian youth leaders and strengthen collaborative efforts on issues impacting young people globally. For more information on the trip, follow @USGlobalYouth on X, and @USGlobalYouthEnvoy on Instagram and Facebook.
