I ended the day with a virtual engagement with Austria to America exchange participants. Austria to America is U.S. Embassy Vienna’s flagship exchange program focused on cultivating the next generation of leaders. We had an insightful conversation about civic engagement and the impact

Last week, 50 young delegates from the United States, Republic of Korea, and Japan met in person for the first-ever Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit in Busan! These young leaders are making history by coming together to build bridges, share ideas, and shape a brighter

I kicked off my time in Busan by talking with the delegates about the importance of storytelling. During the workshop, I highlighted the importance of developing a powerful narrative that draws people in and brings individuals together. Later, I joined the participants to help

During the narrative workshop, I talked about my experience working as a page for the United States House of Representatives. When chatting with the delegates afterwards, I met Caroline Xingyan Gao, who worked as a page in the United States Senate a few years ago. Even thousands

I was excited to introduce a new member of my staff, Ankita Verma, at the Trilateral Youth Summit. She joins the State Department as Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications. Ankita helped me kick off the narrative workshop by talking about her own background in storytelling

Throughout the Trilateral Youth Summit, delegates worked on designing and pitching projects to a panel of foreign policy experts. I joined the participants in the early stages of the pitch process to listen to their ideas and provide feedback. From developing language programs to

"I could not be more thrilled that you are here, joining with this YALI community and all of the leaders who came before you." Special Envoy Abby Finkenauer Abby Finkenauer welcomes #MandelaFellows to the #YALI2024 Summit! Department of State Educational & Cultural Affairs—U.S. Dept. of State

Abby Finkenauer, Special Envoy Abby Finkenauer, Department of State is leading a special forum on Running for Office and the Importance of Civic Engagement. #YALI2024

"Your story is important - not just for you or your family or community - but for others who grew up same way but never saw someone like themselves represented." Abby Finkenauer, Special Envoy Abby Finkenauer, Department of State #YALI2024

I had a blast welcoming this year’s cohort of the Mandela Washington Fellowship to Washington, D.C. The nearly 700 Fellows were selected from a pool of over 50,000 applicants, and are leaders in agriculture, civil society, education, healthcare, and more. As they end their

What an honor to kick off the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit and celebrate the Fellowship’s 10th Anniversary with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Representative to the United Nations and member of President Biden’s Cabinet. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield

One of the many highlights of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit was meeting the Fellows throughout the week. After speaking to the Fellows about my own journey as a young woman who ran for office and now uplifts youth voices around the globe, I heard directly from the

At the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, I was honored to meet and be in conversation with Refiloehape “Fifi” Sesinyi. Fifi is an advocate for gender equality and disability rights in Lesotho. Her own experience as a blind woman raised in a poor rural community, who often

Happy International Youth Day! The Department of State recently hosted emerging political leaders from around the world for an #IVLP exchange. During their time in the USA, they met with their American counterparts and explored ways to inspire and empower youth.

🌍✨Happy International #YouthDay! AU Youth Envoy Chido Mpemba and I share some reflections on youth in multilateralism and #Youth2030 stimson.org/2024/young-peo… #YouthLead UN Youth Office Felipe Paullier UN GA President Stimson Center GGIN African Union

Today, we observe International Youth Day.   In 2022, President Biden appointed Abby Finkenauer as Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues. Since her appointment, Special Envoy Finkenauer has traveled the globe, consulting with young leaders and sharing their insights with

Over the course of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, African leaders participate in Leadership Institutes at educational institutions across the country. I was so excited to meet some Fellows who were matched with the University of lowa and Drake University (my alma mater!).

The Global Youth Team had a blast at the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit! We joined nearly 700 young African leaders who convened in Washington, D.C. to wrap up their six-week fellowship. These young leaders are working to address some of the most important issues facing

I had an incredible experience meeting with young political leaders from around the world through the International Visitor Leadership Program. We had an engaging conversation about the need for young leaders to run for office, and the challenges that come with pursuing political

Abby Finkenauer: Keynote on Youth Empowerment and Democracy Meet Abby Finkenauer, the Special Envoy Abby Finkenauer Department of State and keynote speaker at IRI's Generation Democracy Global Summit. Abby Finkenauer shattered glass ceilings as the youngest woman to flip a Congressional seat and