September 30, 2022
Meghan O'Toole
Student advocates for girls’ education at United Nations Summit
Isabella Tello ’26 presented at the United Nations (UN) Transforming Education Summit on September 16 in New York City.
Tello started her work as an environmental advocate and girls’ education activist two years ago after she moved to Germany to attend United World College Robert Bosch College.
“I come from a complex background where access to quality education is a privilege rather than a basic human right,” Tello said. In Germany, with access to mentors and resources she did not have at home, Tello realized the importance of giving girls the necessary tools to achieve their maximum potential.
Her activist efforts led her to the UN, where she shared a speech about the importance of feminist leadership and girls’ education in Latin America.
The United Nations Transforming Education Summit was held in New York City September 16-19 in response to “a global crisis in education – one of equity and inclusion, quality and relevance,” according to the United Nations.
For Tello, the experience at the UN was a remarkable one, but not her first. “Thanks to my work as an activist, I have been invited to different events,” Tello explained. “I previously attended the United Nations Conference for Climate Action in Italy last September, and I got invited to the United Nations Transforming Education Summit this September.”
Ministers of education and other leaders from across the globe were in attendance. Tello participated in a separate event for the Feminist Education Coalition. Tello also met with 32 global representatives who advocate for girls education: “We were able to present or initiatives to the improve fundraising networks.”
Tello co-founded SHE EDUCATES, a platform that provides girls with educational resources on sustainability, sports, arts, and other areas. SHE EDUCATES aims to empower girls and youth women through feminist pedagogy and intersectional literature. She hopes these tools can help girls develop foundational learning skills. Among the projects related to SHE EDUCATES is the construction of the first feminist library in Colombia.
“We are looking forward to create the first feminist library in Colombia in the region where I come from,” Tello also said. “We are trying to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education because my country is one of the most affected by armed conflict. We understand that we need to provide a safe space for girls there.”
Currently, SHE EDUCATES is raising money and seeking help to build the library. Those interested in supporting the project can email librorosa224@gmail.com.
Tello credits her global politics and public policy classes taught by Assistant Professor of Politics Ajar Chekirova and Lecturer in Politics Christine Walker with preparing her to speak at the summit: “I was studying the importance of international relation diplomacy in class, and the week after I was able to do just that. I didn't feel as afraid to speak in front of all these important people.”
Having the support of a woman instructor is significant to Tello, who said that female role models in education are less common in Colombia.
“I really appreciate that my politics and public policy instructors are women,” Tello said.
Public policy was of interest to her because of the program’s focus on making change. “I decided to do something with public policy this semester because I understand that policy can lead to meaningful changes in the world. Advocacy is really important as well, but we don't do anything if we don't have the help of the support from the government.”
Tello is currently undecided in her studies, but is considering a double major in environmental science and international relations.