The Secretary General of the United Nations is the representation of the values and ideals of that institution. Knowing the importance of the office, in 2016 the United Nations, for the first time in their history, have decided to create a dialogue with members of the international civil society for the election of the new Secretary General. The candidates will respond to the questions of selected representatives from around the world.
From among a thousand proposed questions, 30 were selected, including some of those from the students of the Don Bosco School in Rio do Sul – which is part of the Salesian Network of Schools. These questions were issues related to the Security Council, social inequality and violence against women, sent by Cristian Piehowiak, Leonardo Buzzi, and Leticia Meyer, led by Professor of History, Cleiton A. Baldo, who promoted their participation in the dialogue.
"I am passionate about the issue of civil society's participation in the construction of public policies and in the government spheres. When I learned of this process of dialogue, I thought never to disregard the participation and collaboration of our students."
Thus, from 12 to 15 July, Prof. Baldo and the young Cristian Piehowiak represented the group at United Nations General Assembly.
"It was great. Throughout my professional career I have never seen students perceive History as something so alive and not disconnected from the present; moreover, they have internalized the importance of building a better future," said Prof. Baldo.
Cristian Piechowiak added: "I was very interested to know the decisions and actions of political and social organizations. I realized that change is really possible".
