 and welcome to Cooper Union Broadcasting Live in downtown Honolulu in Moana, Nuiakea. Today, we'll be looking at the UN General Assembly attracting all advocates, democracy defenders lining up for liberty. The United Nations General Assembly Opening Week attracts heads of state and foreign ministers to share values and visions for a better world. And the UNGA features activities and actions by civil society and countries seeking solutions. At the 77th session, the Super Bowl of Social Justice allows for people to participate from around the globe at the UN headquarters in a major venues across New York City. All issues and initiatives contribute to the global chorus for social change. Today, I'm joined by two activists who came together featuring important issues from Europe and Asia to look at what must be done to make the world a better place. Activists, advocates, and artists gathered together at the UN General Assembly to shape the world agenda. And these two are very much involved to contribute to this global chorus for social change. I'd like to welcome Bunton Chantalavon Visa and Marcus Visa. Thank you so much for joining us today. Bunton, why does Alliance for Democracy in Laos come to the UN General Assembly and what has been important so far in your history in New York? Hi, Joshua. We are from Alliance for Democracy in Laos. We were in New York City by UN General Assembly. Why? We are independent NGO from Laos. Or we are a network-clabel organization for human rights and democracy defender for Laos. We have an event to inform in the world about situation in Laos, real situation like human rights, violation in Laos, land rights problem in Laos, on so on. This problem we tell for the people to know how is really the problem in our country. But the Laos government, they don't tell the reality in Laos or in our country. As NGO, they convert with another independent NGO, international NGO together to tell every problem in our country what the people don't have right for protection of human rights and protection of land, protection of the right of the country. Thank you, Buntan. And Marcus, what have you seen so far in participating at the UN General Assembly for a couple of years now? And what were some of the highlights of this week? Yeah, now we work for some more years at the United Nations bodies. One of them is the UN General Assembly. And we also work on other levels at the United Nations bodies. For an example, we work for Southeast Asia, especially for the Laos People's Republic. So there is one UN body in Bangkok and another one very important is in Geneva. There are the human rights bodies, but the most important is, yeah, as mentioned before, is the UN General Assembly. This is a place where NGOs came together this year, very trial and in person, it was both. The very trial has started last year during the Corona crisis. It's one possibility for people to came together, but it is better to met in person. We met them, for example, at the high level dialogue and launch of the Shadow Index 2022 or at the Monkey Pox Outbreak venue or DevEx 2777, SDG Action Zone has been and many, many more. It is very important to came there, meeting the people in person, sharing ideas. It is not only to speak about problems in the area, it is speaking about results of our researches and looking together for solution. At this year, the main theme was climate change. Got very, very good that climate change is in the focus of the several CSOs and NGOs. We know we have a big problem this year with the Ukraine war and most of the governments are only looking on this problem and we are here that they don't lose the view on the problem of climate change, of problems of poverty, of the problems of human rights issues. That is very important and therefore it is very good to building new networks between CSOs and NGOs and the various sessions and the various events at the United, around about on the United Nations. Many, many venues has taken place this year and this is really good. Yeah, we thought in the last years during the Corona crisis, oh God, where will it move? Where it can happen in the future, but God haven't, we have managed the crisis, we are back and we are here and we speak about problems, we speak about solutions and some highlights has been for an example, the rally for the climate crisis sponsored by Fridays for Future on last Friday and the last point has been the concert. It was very great to hear President Biden's speech and from the other politicians, it was very, very good to hear that they hear our voice, that they recognize that we are here and it's so important to come back. Thank you Marcus for sharing highlights of everything that's been happening and what is going on. Really it's exciting to see the UN General Assembly has actually grown into like a late summer version of Davos in the city that never sleeps. We see people coming to the Big Apple to take a bite out of it, to be able to share their voices and Buntonex has signed to hear that you're bringing the voice of the people of Laos, which isn't usually on the global stage and to make sure that maybe let's say the little mango of Laos is there at the Big Apple and that the people hear about what's important and what's going on in Laos. What's also significant building on what Marcus has shared is how many things happen. It's really moved beyond the heads of state and foreign minister speeches to really the space where ideas are interrogated, where initiatives are born and where people come together to create new campaigns to make the world a better place. Some of those examples are the Goals House where they turn the tavern on the green into a meeting place for all of humanity to come and share. Another was the fourth goalkeepers event by the Gates Foundation that was also important. And then the Clinton Global Initiative happened for the first time since 2016. What's significant about all of these is how people come and make commitments and then organize activities afterwards. Buntone, looking at what happened last week, what would you say was the highlights? Marcus shared about the index that happened there right at the church center across from the UN General Assembly that we attended on Tuesday. But what were some of the highlights for you? Would it be the DEVIX program that took place or a couple of the other major conferences where you were able to go and speak and meet with people from around the world who share common passions to protect our planet? What was some of your highlights of where you attended and how you participated? I think at every event, give us a new idea to make something in our country, exclusively to protection environment in our country. New idea, we must study immediately. Now, example, we need a new project against plastic in our country. We need a new project for reforestation in our country and on so on. It's very good even in the New York City for us to know how can we have some projects in our country. The people in Laos, they don't know how can we have even projects? Why? The government, they don't give the right for the people. People don't have independence to organize something. And the environment in Laos is too much discussion. The people must learn about new project, about new methods to make something to protection environment and to sustainable for some project. Thank you so much, Buntan. And that's absolutely important. It's going there as a space where we get new ideas and you're able to bring some of those ideas back home to then share what's possible and to transform our own communities based on these ideas that are shared at Global Civil Society. What's really important as we go forward and look is maybe some of the ideas, Marcos, we could talk about what we looked at, such as the evening event that was focusing on climate change, climate finance, disruption in you. It was exciting to see the architecture taking a central role, to be able to share how we can design the cities of the future that actually are based on biomimicry, that are based on nature, based solutions, and also the important parts they shared about indigenous people's roles as protecting the planet. Maybe you could share about that event and how that was really an innovation of what we could do to change our nations to be better places for humanity to live going forward. Yeah, that is what we learned from various events for an example at the NEST Summit Compets and at the Dewex UNGA 77. It was near the United Nations, around the United Nations. We learned, now it is time to act. We have spoken such a lot. We have discussed such a lot. And now we have the knowledges. We know everything. We have the resources. We have some money, and there is no excuse not to transform our world economy for the better future for 100% zero CO2 emission for better politics for climate change. There's no excuse. We got models from various states. For example, we have met with the Prime Minister of Tonga. It was amazing. It was so wonderful. I've met with the founder of the Blue Planet Alliance. And he spoke about solutions. And he says it is possible. And we can reach the aims much earlier than United Nations has mentioned before, not in 2050, not in 2045. No, we can reach the aim in 2025 in some states. And this is what we can see as a model for other states. We are the CSOs. We are the voice of the people. And we can bring it to governments and people and learn and teach people and learning from each other. Thank you, Marcus. And then that highlights one of the most important points that was addressed. Last year was a food summit, which was very important focusing on food sovereignty and transforming our food systems. But this year, it was the United Nations Transforming Education Summit. And education, of course, is the foundation for the UN Sustainable Development Goals and for making the positive social change. Also, I know you shared at the seventh annual UN SDGs and Global Human Rights Conference that takes place that you were able to share a bit about education in Laos and why we must focus on education going forward to improve Laos and to improve Southeast Asia. Can you share a bit about education being the essence for empowerment engagement for future generations and why it's so important? Yes. Even about education, it's very important for the future. Why in Laos, education is very bad. The government don't have interest for better education. Too much teachers, they don't have pay. Around 9,000 teachers, they don't have pay. They must go to another job. This is very bad for our country, for the young people. If the education system allows too much corruption, the young people, they don't have future. Another one, the young people, they have problems with black life, methamphetamine. The government don't have interest in a gender problem. I'm very happy to be in New York City even for education. And I took some political comments about our country. We need a better education for the young people immediately. And we need to change the system in Laos to better education. Thank you, but on Marcus, could you share a bit about the transforming education summit and why education is so important going forward? And this was really addressed by some heads of state as well. Because if we don't have education, we can't really make any of the changes you've been talking about. But also, we have to educate about democracy and how valuable it is going forward. And this was stressed by many heads of state. Yeah, that's the result of all the discussions of the various events. Education is the solution for most of the problems. It is real, the solution. It is the solution for ending poverty. It is the solution for making better politics for climate change. It is making solutions for more democracy and human rights. It is the solution. And people have some knowledge. People knows what to do. It is not the question if it is possible. It is the question of the will. Some governments will and some governments will. And this is a difference. And this is what we say, clear and open. We want the governments open their mind and sees that it's better for themself. And it is better for their land. And it's better for the people. Get them the education. It is not a problem. Can't be the problem of the financing of this education system in the country. Finances are there. Funds are there. Help is there. Help by the United Nations, by CSOs, whatever. It is possible. And it is a solution for most of all our problems we have in this world. Thank you, Marcos. And it also reinforces what President Biden said when he addressed the UNGA. He talked about the UN, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the standard by which our forebears challenge us to measure ourselves. Talking about when this was adopted in 1948, human rights are the basis for all that we seek to achieve. But he also pointed out in 2022, fundamental freedoms are at risk in every part of the world. And that's one of the reasons why, of course, you come to be able to share about what's going on in Southeast Asia. He also did stand up with the brave people in Iran who are now demonstrating to secure their basic rights. And he made one point. The future will be won by those countries that unleash the full potential of their population where women and girls can exercise equal rights, including basic reproductive rights that could be fully to building stronger economies and more resilient societies. So what's important is the U.S. did commit, as he said, the U.S. will always promote human rights and values enshrined in the UN Charter in our own country and around the world. And he did end this. This institution guiding by the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is that it's core and act of Dauntless Hope, an act of Dauntless Hope. So Buntun, I know you have hope, but I know you also heard the words of our good friend Hank Rogers from Blue Planet Lights. You also have determination. What do you feel you accomplished this year and why was it so important to be at the 77th annual UNGA opening week? I am very happy to be at UNGA 77. I have heard from, speak from President Biden about human rights protection. Every member of the UN must be implemented the Human Rights Convention. This is for now was very important. The law government did not implemented the Human Rights Convention from UN. But now I see the law government must implement it immediately. And I'm very happy to have about a protection of human rights and for democracy. Global democracy is a new word for 2022 for me. And for the world, I think we need global democracy. Why? The war in Ukraine from Russia is the war from dictatorship. The dictatorship must be end in the world. We must change the world for global democracy immediately, I think. Thank you, Buntun. And that does stress the point of what was really shared was Ukraine was at the center as Buntun shared. And it was a time for the world to stand up to say that we must all support those fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and stand up against authoritarian regimes that are threatening the peace and security not only of their neighbors, but the whole planet. Marcus, why was that so significant this time? And why is it important for the voice of the people of Laos to be heard to also then challenge the situation such as in Iran and others because they're not allowed to exercise their voice and why is it so crucial for you to use your human rights to be the voice for others who can't exercise those rights? People in Laos and around the world have to know that the Human Rights Declaration of the United Nations is the standard of the world. Every country who is a member of the United Nations has accepted, has signed it and has to undermine under this rule. We have more human rights declaration for example, it's the European Union, it's the Asian states and some national issues but they are all based on the fundamental UN human rights basics, what's standing there in the human rights declaration. So your country has accepted, so your country has to make it. There is no excuse, they have accepted. And this is what the people have to stand for. And President Biden has remembered us that the free nations has come together and fight for this freedom. And remember all the Arthurian states that they have to act like the human rights standards of the United Nations. The former Italian representative at the United Nations has said it very clear. There is no perfect country in the world. We are not, you are not but there is one difference in some countries. You can say it and in other countries it is not possible to say it. That's the main difference. And I recognize that some ambassadors from some Arthurian states get some points to hide their face and don't want to hear it. But this is the truth. And the Arthurian government, they don't want to recognize this, they don't want to hear this. It is a shame for them when they hear that something went wrong in their countries, the free countries, the democratic countries, no problem. We can speak open about it and we know what we have to do better. So stand up for your rights, democracy and freedom is possible and it will come slowly but truly. It will come when you want. Thank you, Marcus. And it also reminds me looking at both of your comments. I remember the quote that was delivered at the Global Citizen Concert Festival on Saturday night in Central Park that democracy protects the planet. That was made by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. It also reminds me of in our closing moments there's a couple of aside events and those are more of events that happened in the evening but are also significant. There was the Island Resilience Forum at the SDG lounge that happened or meeting with Tonga that Marcus shared a little bit but also the Climate Impact Talks that took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and of course the Saturday event of the Global Citizen which is really a global teaching where there's music with Metallica and Manskin and Mariah Carey, Jonas Brothers, Cake at the Ocean and everything but there's also amazing speeches in between. Bunta, what were some of the highlights of those Article 24 events be it the SDG lounge or the event at the Hard Rock Hotel learning about the Peaceboat Mission and the Youth or the Global Citizen Concert? What were some of those highlights where you can see the education was still going on and people were networking to make a difference at the United Nations but also at home? I think every event and lounge the people become together or tell about it's possible in which country to take human rights and environment protection and it's possible for all CO2 in the world by now I see that some land light on they have planned in future my dream is in my country in Laos we need to immediately to change our country to protect the human rights and to protect the environment and we need immediately to change the system to protect the human rights for green sustainable life sustainable goals 17 sustainable goals and we need in our country in Laos immediately no it's a really good point because of course in 2015 the UN Global Goals were adopted at the UN General Assembly and it's exciting to see how people are mobilizing to manifest these global goals on the ground Marcus in our final minute what were some of the highlights from you either the SDG lounge with Tonga or the important Hard Rock Hotel event with Blue Planet Alliance or the Global Citizen Concert what was some of the highlights for you and how did that really end your amazing week at UNGA for the 77th session for me it was so amazing to be there and it is the right city it is New York City people from around the globe came together from every color from every religion from every part of the world from every ethnic groups that came together and they want to build a better world for everybody not for themselves alone for everybody so this is so great and it was so wonderful and at the end of all the events at the Global Citizen Festival so many different people has come together people with proper clothes people in leather jackets with long hair with short hair black people white people Muslim people Jewish people has spoken with me by the way and Buddhist people and they came together and they celebrated and they have been so happy so fantastic and then the speech of President Biden it was so wonderful together with his wife he was there and he said let's enjoy it open up your mind stay together fight for freedom and we will have a better future we will make it together it was so amazing and that was the result of the three events you have mentioned before it was so wonderful thank you Marcus and that really does conclude with the message of we should free our mind and keep up the spirit of the UN General Assembly not just for one week but throughout the year and we are so glad you are able to bring the voice of Laos to this important global gathering Mahalo and think tech Hawaii if you like what we do please like us and click the subscribe button on youtube and the follow button on Vimeo you can also follow us on facebook instagram twitter and linked in and donate to us at thinktechhawaii.com Mahalo