Coming together on the sidelines of the United Nations’ General Assembly High Level Week in New York City, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is organizing a series of conversations in alignment with the Summit of the Future, and Climate Week New York City, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives to reflect on how we create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
2024
September
20-24
New York, NY
Activities Photos
Day 4 - September 24
Youths as Agents of Social Change
Explore strategies centered in accountability, advocacy, and action that can empower youth around the world to utilize the Pact of the Future to create social impact, address gaps found in the SDGs and deepen meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
Day 3 - September 23
Harnessing Empathy and Compassion to Create a Peaceful Future for All
With an intergenerational and interfaith panel of stakeholders, we shared perspectives and reflections on how communities around the world utilize empathy and compassion in action to achieve the human right to a safer, more equitable, and peaceful world.
Day 2 - September 21
Room for Optimism: A Precondition for Success in Challenging Times
Alongside Member State representatives, UN officials and Civil Society actors, we reflected on what actions can be taken to shift our communities towards optimism and action
Day 1 - September 20
Going Beyond GDP: A Dialogue on Inclusive and Sustainable Development
Powerful discussions held on day one of Climate Week in NYC as we deep-dive into alternative approaches towards capturing the progress and impact of the policies and actions created by our choices and designs.
Videos
Meet our Delegation
Debra Boudreaux
Debra Boudreaux is the CEO of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, a.k.a Tzu Chi USA. As a senior volunteer with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Debra has more than 30 years of experience working on major projects related to charity, medical care, education, and humanitarian aid. Debra was previously the CEO of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation. She leads Buddhist and Catholic interfaith dialogues and also serves as the co-chair of the Multi-faith Advisory Council with the UN Interagency Task force for Religion and Sustainable Development.
Steve Chiu
Steve Chiu serves as Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s Representative to the United Nations. In alignment with Tzu Chi’s work in disaster relief, climate action, education for global citizenship, sustainable development and gender equality, Steve works to build relationships, share best practices and develop programs with other organizations to make tangible impacts on the ground, with the mission of alleviating the suffering of those in need. With over 24 years of experience in community based development and local interfaith partnership, Steve seeks to connect the importance of grassroots action to policies that are being developed on the international level.
Tiffany Tu
Tiffany Tu is a Project Specialist at Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, focusing on humanitarian collaboration and youth engagement. Passionate about climate issues and community empowerment, she was a volunteer for over twenty years before joining Tzu Chi’s Global Partnership and Youth Development Department in 2020. Tiffany has experience in running community-led projects and youth programmes in the Asia-Pacific Region and since last year, leading the Ukrainian refugee relief.
Huey Yi Lee
Hueyyi has been involved in youth empowerment since joining the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts at the age of 10. Her passion for empowering young people intensified last year when she participated in the International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Currently, she actively contributes to curriculum development for both IYLP and the South Africa Youth Program. As the Youth Representative, Hueyyi attends side events, moderates sessions, and delivers speeches on behalf of young people. She has also participated in high-level conferences such as the Commission on the Status of Women, the High-Level Political Forum, the Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development, and the ECOSOC Youth Forum, etc.
Johan Alwall
Johan Alwall is a Specialist at the Global Partnership Affairs Department, Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, focusing on international collaborations and interfaith partnerships. Currently, his focus is international disaster relief, relief for refugees and IDPs from Ukraine, as well as advocacy work in the UN and other platforms. He decided to join Tzu Chi full-time after participating in the organization’s disaster relief in Haiti starting 2010. Before joining Tzu Chi, Johan was a researcher in High Energy Physics at Stanford University and Fermi National Laboratory in the US. He received his Ph.D. from Uppsala University, Sweden, in 2005.
Joy
Joy first connected with Tzu Chi through the International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) in March 2023. With a background in media and education, she is passionate about using innovative educational tools to enhance educational equity and quality. She is currently engaged in designing a community nutrition education project that is learner-centered, focusing on interactive and engaging methodologies. Her journey has also taken her to several UN conferences, including the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and the ECOSOC Youth Forum, where she gained a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between grassroots initiatives and policy-making. Joy is eager to continue learning and sharing experiences with everyone here.
Jia Jiann Foo
JiaJiann is currently serving as the Assistant Manager for the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia (Melaka). He holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Mechatronic Engineering. Since joining Tzu Chi in 2010 as a youth member, he has actively contributed to various initiatives including youth engagement, disaster relief efforts, and environmental protection programs. During his Master's studies in Germany, he participated in a winter clothing distribution project for Syrian refugees in Serbia and represented Tzu Chi at the COP25 Climate Conference and youth interfaith religious dialogue at the Vatican. Currently, his work focuses on youth advocacy, stakeholder engagement in community projects, and participation in environmental and UN related events across the Asia-Pacific region.
Heather Chen
Heather Chen is an 18-year-old youth advocate, artist, and changemaker dedicated to uplifting and educating vulnerable communities. Through her passions for film and television, dance, and food politics, she strives to raise awareness about issues including food accessibility. Heather has served as a Student Representative in the Irvine Unified School District, where she amplified student voices and advocates for policy changes. She aims to pursue a career in the food politics and entertainment industry, where she can leverage the power of policy and media to drive social change. With a commitment to equity and justice, Heather strives to inspire unheard voices and promote compassion for all through the arts and advocacy, determined to continue learning and enacting positive change.
Eunice Tham
Eunice Tham is a dedicated healthcare professional from Malaysia, currently based in Michigan. Beyond her medical expertise, she is deeply passionate about youth empowerment, as demonstrated by her role as a mentor in the International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP). As a Coordinator and Program Curator for various leadership programs, Eunice has designed and curated impactful initiatives to promote youth leadership. A certified Tzu Chi commissioner since 2019, she is actively engaged with the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association (TCCA) and the Tzu Chi International Youth Association (TIYA), empowering collegiate students and young professionals while continually contributing to community and youth initiatives with a spirit of compassion.
Hongyi (YoYo Wu)
A recent college graduate with a strong background in scientific research and medicine, this young professional has joined Tzu Chi recently. Based in New York City, she is eager to apply her knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact both locally and globally. At Tzu Chi, she is preparing to join the dental team for volunteer teeth cleaning services and the eye team to check eyesight and provide glasses for those in need. Her role extends beyond local initiatives; she will be serving as a youth representative for Tzu Chi at the United Nations, bridging the organization's humanitarian efforts with global policy discussions.
Alland Dharmawan
Alland Dharmawan currently serves as Personal Assistant to the Advisor to the President of Indonesia and Special Staff for Economics and Energy at the Presidential Advisory Council of the Republic of Indonesia. He holds a Bachelor's degree in International Marketing Management from Universitas Ma Chung, Indonesia, and an LL.M. in International Relations from Xiamen University, where he focused on Indonesia-China cooperation in renewable energy. Fluent in Indonesian, English, and Chinese, Alland is now pursuing graduate studies at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies, focusing on renewable energy policy and sustainable development. His involvement with Tzu Chi began in 2012 when he volunteered for a program providing free cataract surgeries in Indonesia. Since March 2024, he has been a fellow of the Tzu Chi International Youth Leadership Program, proudly representing the organization at major events such as Climate Week NYC and the Summit of the Future.
Kong Yin Ying
Kong Yin Ying is a Malaysian with a technology and data analysis background. She has been involved in various Tzu Chi Foundation projects, both locally and internationally. For example, she has volunteered at the Taman Sinar Harapan Centre which provides care for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has also participated in Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) to help refugees and has been a trainer for the Youth African Project. As part of her International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP), she has analyzed data for projects in Mozambique and Malaysia. She is also launching a website for the Tzu Chi branch in Malacca, Malaysia. In addition to her work with Tzu Chi, Kong Yin Ying has organized technology events and fundraising activities. She has volunteered as a tutor for indigenous students preparing for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), a Malaysian secondary school examination. She has also been a web developer for several non-governmental organizations. Looking ahead, Kong Yin Ying will be one of the Girlscode judges, a MozCode mentor, and the coordinator for the next IYLP program.