Report on the “I Am Chosen Teen Empowerment Conference”

Executive Summary

The non-profit organization “I Am A Queen” hosted the “I Am Chosen Teen Empowerment Conference” at Guilford Preparatory Academy in Guilford County. The event was designed to empower young women aged 10-18 by fostering self-confidence and leadership skills. The conference’s objectives and activities directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Conference Overview and Objectives

Event Details

• Event Title: I Am Chosen Teen Empowerment Conference
• Host Organization: I Am A Queen
• Venue: Guilford Preparatory Academy, Guilford County, N.C.
• Target Audience: Girls aged 10-18
• Cost: Free of charge

Primary Objectives

According to Alana V. Allen, Founder and Executive Director of “I Am A Queen,” the primary goals of the conference were to:

1. Instill confidence in the leadership skills of young women.
2. Empower attendees to recognize their potential and capabilities.
3. Promote self-love and positive self-image.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The conference’s mission and execution demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing key Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The event’s core focus was the empowerment of girls and young women, a central tenet of SDG 5. By providing tools to build self-confidence and leadership abilities, the conference actively works to eliminate gender-based barriers and ensure women’s full and effective participation in leadership at all levels of decision-making.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The conference provided valuable informal education, contributing to SDG 4’s aim of promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The sessions offered practical life skills that supplement formal education. By being free of charge, the event ensured inclusive and equitable access to this empowering educational experience for all participants.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

In alignment with SDG 10, the conference addressed social and economic inequalities. Offering the program for free removed financial barriers, ensuring that girls from all socioeconomic backgrounds could attend and benefit from the empowerment and skill-building workshops.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The inclusion of a session on conflict resolution directly supports SDG 16. Teaching young women peaceful and effective methods for resolving disputes helps build the foundation for more peaceful and inclusive societies.

Conference Program and Activities

The event featured a series of speakers and interactive sessions focused on holistic personal development. Key topics included:

• Elegance and Etiquette: A session designed to build social confidence and professional poise.
• Conflict Resolution: Training aimed at equipping attendees with skills for peaceful negotiation and problem-solving, contributing to SDG 16.
• Modeling Tips: A workshop focused on posture, presentation, and self-confidence.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article discusses an empowerment conference that provides non-formal education to young girls. The sessions on “elegance and etiquette, conflict resolution,” and building “leader skills” contribute to life skills and personal development, which are essential components of quality education beyond traditional schooling.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The core theme of the conference is the empowerment of young girls. By focusing on building self-confidence, leadership skills, and self-worth specifically for girls, the “I Am A Queen” organization directly addresses the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The event, the “I Am Chosen Teen Empowerment Conference,” promotes social inclusion by targeting a specific demographic (girls ages 10-18) and providing them with tools for personal and social empowerment. The article explicitly states that “The conference was free for girls ages 10-18,” which helps reduce economic inequalities by ensuring access regardless of financial status.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for… gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence…”

   The conference directly contributes to this target by providing education on gender equality (empowering girls) and promoting a culture of peace through its session on “conflict resolution.” The overall goal to “help girls be confident in their leader skills” equips them with knowledge and skills for personal and community development.

2. Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.”

   The article highlights that a key goal of the conference is to “help girls be confident in their leader skills.” This initiative is a foundational step in preparing young girls for future leadership roles, thereby directly supporting the aim of ensuring equal opportunities for leadership.

3. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.”

   The event is a clear example of empowering and promoting the social inclusion of a specific group based on age (10-18) and sex (girls). By making the conference free, the organizers are actively working to ensure inclusion irrespective of economic status, directly aligning with the principles of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of participants in empowerment programs: The article implies this indicator by stating the conference was for “girls ages 10-18.” The number of attendees would be a direct measure of the program’s reach and a proxy for progress towards empowering this demographic.
• Provision of skills-based education: The article mentions the specific content of the sessions, such as “conflict resolution,” “elegance and etiquette,” and building “leader skills.” The existence and content of this curriculum serve as a qualitative indicator that knowledge and skills relevant to Targets 4.7 and 5.5 are being provided.
• Measures to ensure equal opportunity: The fact that “The conference was free” is a specific, measurable action taken to reduce economic barriers to participation. This serves as an indicator for Target 10.2, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion regardless of economic status.

Summary Table of Findings

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: wxii12.com