Student Shoutout: Keito O. ‘26

May 29, 2024

Congratulations to tenth grader Keito O., who recently participated in the United Nations OCHA Human Networks and Partnership Weeks in Geneva, Switzerland. Each year, this conference provides a unique forum for the world’s leading humanitarian organizations to solve common challenges in humanitarian affairs. Participants include members of the UN, various NGOs, esteemed academics, and more.

Over the course of the week-long conference, Keito served as a youth representative for international NGOs Peaceland Foundation and Global Youth Philanthropy, combining his passion for humanitarian causes and love of the arts to curate an art exhibition featuring works from students from around the world. “The exhibition I curated is called ‘Imagining a New World: Youth Reflections and Humanitarian Responses to Climate Crisis.’ It included artwork by students from the US, Canada, China, and Japan,” Keito elaborated when asked about the exhibit.

Through displaying these works, Keito said he aimed to “represent the importance of youth voices in the conversations around climate change and human rights.” He also “hopes that the exhibition can motivate youth participants to continue to study and think about the problems facing our world.”

Keito’s responsibilities at the conference also included speaking on a panel about inciting youth engagement in combating climate change and serving as a youth correspondent throughout the event. 

When asked how he felt about participating in such a prestigious conference, Keito shared how honored he felt, in addition to feeling “motivated to continue to organize exhibitions and be involved in humanitarian activities.”

Congratulations again, Keito!