Student Will Moderate UN Girls Speak Out Event
A local high school student will lead a United Nations discussion on October 9, 2026, focused on global gender equality.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Do you believe youth voices at international forums like the UN can drive meaningful policy change?
Olivia Saint-Pierre, a student at Thomas Stone High School, will moderate the Girls Speak Out 2026 event at the United Nations in New York City on October 9, 2026. The event addresses key issues including access to education and the prevention of gender-based violence.
Why it matters
The event highlights the role of youth advocacy in addressing international challenges like education access and gender-based violence. It provides a global platform for young leaders to influence the conversation on advancing equality and accelerating community action.
The event serves as a focal point for international advocacy, featuring the contributions of student leaders from across the school district. The initiative builds upon the work of Stella's Girls, an organization founded in 2016.
The players
Olivia Saint-Pierre
A student at Thomas Stone High School who plans to pursue pediatric nursing at New York University or Rutgers University.
Stella's Girls
An organization founded in 2016 by Kaprese James that focuses on the empowerment of girls.
The Working Group on Girls
An alliance of non-governmental organizations that organizes the annual Girls Speak Out event at the United Nations.
Kaprese James
The founder of Stella's Girls, an organization established in 2016 to support girl advocacy and empowerment.
The details
The Girls Speak Out event is organized by the Working Group on Girls, an alliance of non-governmental organizations dedicated to female empowerment. Since August 2026, participants and moderators have held weekly Zoom meetings to coordinate delivery and rehearse the program. The event will take place in a UN meeting room and will be available for families to watch via the UN Web TV livestream.
Timeline
August 2026: The group began weekly Zoom sessions.
October 9, 2026: Girls Speak Out event at the UN.
The Home Front
This program aligns with the broader institutional objectives of the United Nations International Day of the Girl. It marks a continued trend of elevating student advocacy within international human rights and educational policy frameworks.
Families interested in global advocacy can watch the event broadcast live on UN Web TV on October 9, 2026. Use this opportunity to discuss the themes of the conference, such as education access, with your middle or high school students.
The takeaway
Advocacy events like Girls Speak Out demonstrate how youth engagement can shape global discourse on gender equality. Families can support these initiatives by tuning into the official livestream and encouraging students to identify local issues they feel passionate about advocating for.
Further reading
Learn more about local student initiatives and academic milestones in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bay Net.
Live Poll
Do you believe youth voices at international forums like the UN can drive meaningful policy change?
