G20 Youth Reporters participated in the coverage of the 3rd technical meeting of the Tourism Working Group (WG), which occurred in the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
The agenda of the 3rd technical meeting of the G20 Tourism Working Group (WG) included topics such as the practice of sustainable tourism to promote the development of the economy, society, and the environment; professional qualification and methodologies to measure the destinations' sustainability; and strengthening multilateral institutions and increasing international financing for sustainable tourism projects.
Through the perspective of Rio de Janeiro's youth, who live daily in one of the world's main tourist destinations, the G20 Youth Reporters, a Rio de Janeiro state government project, were assigned a special coverage of the meeting. In the Rio de Janeiro Stock Exchange Building downtown, students from the state's intercultural schools oversaw a day filled with debates between multiple international delegations addressing the proposed topics.
The students had the opportunity to join a singular journalistic experience sought by experienced reporters. Accredited as members of the press, akin to traditional media "colleagues", these youngsters interviewed delegates from various countries on topics related to tourism and international relations. Check out the coverage through the G20 House Instagram profile through this link.
This was the first time these students participated in a G20 meeting. Prior to this, students from Rio de Janeiro's state education network participated in a capacity-building session that was beyond special, with the presence of delegations from the G20, Itamaraty - the federal agency overseeing Brazilian international relations - and even of "people from television": the comedian Hélio de La Peña.
"The presence of our Youth Reporters in these events is of utmost importance to enhance not only their technical knowledge, but also this aptitude, this life project which is already aiding in the development of a professional career for each one of them. It is inspiring to see our students taking on this leadership role, which will be a significant advantage for all of them," affirmed the secretary of Education, Roberta Barreto.
Among the students, the reaction is of satisfaction, with a desire for much more. "It is a big opportunity for me, a girl who lives in the periphery. Being here, in a meeting of global importance, is stimulating. It gives us a horizon, a new perspective for professional and personal life", said Kettly Nascimento, a senior student at the Brazil-Turkey Intercultural School.
"Participating in an international event about Tourism is amazing because I want to work in the field. Youth Reporters is an excellent way to begin my studies in Journalism and to have transformative experiences", celebrated Giovana Costa, a senior student at the Brazil-Japan Intercultural School.
