UVU Delegation on the UN General Assembly Rostrum
On Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, Utah Valley University (UVU) and Osh Technological University, The Kyrgyz Republic contributed to a virtual side event hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations. It was titled “‘The Kyrgyz Republic–State of Utah advocacy to empower mountain women and girls through ethically good student-centric education.” Held in the conference room of the Millenium Hilton hotel, this event advocated for mountain women and girls, student engaged learning (SEL), and Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD). The event was hosted through the SEL, which means that UVU students were responsible to manage it entirely through their group efforts and taking care of logistics, agenda, protocol, technical support, while their teacher mentored them. Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN, Ambassador Aida Kasymalieva agreed to host a side event for the third time as a class activity and consider it as a mid-term examination for students to be graded by her along with the main teacher, Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev. SEL model was implemented by the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at UVU.Janessa-Michelle Purcell, UIMF President moderated the event and coordinated its members' activities.
McKay Jones and Cade Bloomer rehearsing for the virtual side event
The UVU Delegation met at the Millenium hotel at 8:00am to begin rehearsing for the event, which ensured that everything ran smoothly. While Janessa-Michelle Purcell, coordinated the event, Louyoko Nianza, President of the UVU Rotaract, student club of the Rotary International, was responsible for information technologies support, and Braden Birbara ensured a video play and recording, Cade Bloomer took screenshots and photos. All students, including Priyanka Prem Kumar and I also helped with speaker introductions. Several speakers from overseas required special attention and our student team ensured that their presentations were recorded in advance and played if there would be any communication challenges.
UVU Delegation Hosts Virtual Side Event
The virtual slide event began with Ambassador Aida Kasymalieva, who highlighted the partnership between The Kyrgyz Republic and the State of Utah to advocate for SMD and the importance of mountains for global communities. Dr. Almaz Karimovich Atabekov and Tatiana Panfilenko, two professors at Osh Technological University, reiterated these statements. Dr. Jay Desart, Department Chair of UVU’s History and Political Science Department, then gave his remarks about the challenges that higher education currently faces, including legislative budget cuts. Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, UVU professor of History and Political Science, spoke about the power of the Student Engaged Learning (SEL) model for non-traditional students. Further statements from Dr. Rusty Butler discussed the origins of the Utah-Kyrgyz Republic relationship. The conference ended with remarks from Dr. Alexander Stecker, Mike Rich, and Nazik Moldotasheva. I’m honored to have introduced Tatiana Panfilenko and Nazik Moldotasheva, two exemplary women leaders from Kyrgyzstan.
UVU community celebrates after successful Side Event, full of engaging questions and
diplomatic relationships
After the successful side event, the UVU students and community were honored to be given a tour of the United Nations, made possible by former Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF) president Tony Medina. Tony Medina now works at the State Department. The tour started with detailed technological advancements since the construction of the building. We got a detailed story about Sputnik I, the first artificial earth satellite, which now sits in the United Nations Headquarters. It was absolutely incredible to see the historic General Assembly Hall. Stepping inside, I was immediately taken aback with how many important and powerful people have stood in that room. I also obtained the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand behind the main podium in the hall’s rostrum.
United Nations General Assembly Hall | Photo by Janessa-Michelle Purcell
After spending quite a bit of time in the General Assembly hall, we were guided to the 2nd floor of the UN Headquarters, where we talked about the Secretary Generals of the UN. I was able to see the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize, which was jointly awarded to the United Nations and its Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This tour motivated me to continue working to achieve my goals, because anything is possible.
McKay Jones at the historic United Nations Podium
That night, the UVU delegation had an honorary dinner with Dr. Jay Desart at Il Tinello East. We were able to ask questions to Tony Medina and build connections with each other. United Nations Day 2 proved exceptional, motivational, and life-affirming.
-McKay Jones, Vice President of Utah International Mountain Forum
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STUDENT REFLECTIVE ESSAYS
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25-03-13-Cade Bloomer My Participation at a Side Event at CSW69
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25-03-12-Priyanka Prem Kumar-My Contribution to a Side Event During CSW 69
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