Building Bridges for Global Impact: JCI Celebrates Partnerships at the 2025 World Congress

The Partnerships Ceremony at the 2025 JCI World Congress in Tunis was organized by the JCI World Headquarters Partnerships Team and hosted by Partnerships Director Nathalia Cardenas. This landmark event brought together global partners, Club100 members, and visionary leaders to celebrate collaboration and announce new alliances that shape the future of youth leadership and global impact.

Gracing the occasion with opening remarks, 2025 JCI President Keisuke Shimoyamada set the tone for the day by emphasizing the transformative power of partnerships.

“Partnerships are the bridges that connect vision to action. They remind us that leadership is not only about what we can achieve individually, but about what we can accomplish together,” Shimoyamada said. He highlighted that every lasting impact JCI creates begins when organizations unite behind a common purpose, sharing resources, perspectives, and passion to turn ideas into real change. His message underscored the essence of collaboration: humility, respect, and co-creation for a sustainable future.

A Historic Moment: Signing with AIESEC

The centerpiece of the ceremony was the signing renewal of a five-year global partnership agreement with AIESEC, represented by Global President Arfan Nazar. This alliance formalizes a bold commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, JCI and AIESEC will amplify opportunities for collaboration, capacity building, and global engagement, ensuring young leaders are not only heard but actively shaping the future.

Following the signing, AIESEC was honored with a certificate of recognition, recognizing its unwavering commitment to our partnership and advancing youth leadership and global impact.

Celebrating Strategic Alliances

The ceremony also honored BNI Japan, whose three-year partnership valued at USD 90,000 expands global business connections and leadership opportunities for JCI members. Through initiatives like the inaugural Business Summit powered by BNI Japan, members gain exclusive access to networking and growth platforms.

During the ceremony, BNI Japan National Director Asato Ohno delivered an inspiring address on the transformative power of networks and the promise of our growing collaboration. His remarks underscored how strategic partnerships can unlock new opportunities for young leaders to thrive in an interconnected global economy. “When we connect, we create possibilities that go beyond borders,” he emphasized, reinforcing the shared vision of JCI and BNI Japan.

To commemorate this collaboration, BNI Japan was presented with a certificate of appreciation, recognizing its dedication to our partnership and empowering young leaders through business networking.

Another highlight was the recognition of the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) for its steadfast commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide.

WBAF also received a certificate of recognition, underscoring its role in advancing global economic opportunities.

Announcing Five New Partnerships

In Tunis, JCI unveiled five new collaborations that reflect its vision for a connected, sustainable, and digitally empowered future:

• Airalo – Providing JCI members with exclusive discounts on eSIM packages, ensuring seamless connectivity across borders.

• SDG Academy (UN SDSN) – Co-developing the course Mastering Sustainable Leadership to deepen members’ understanding of the SDGs.

• Quantic School of Business and Technology – Offering access to 18 free MBA-level courses and scholarships for advanced programs.

• Zoho Corporation – Equipping young leaders with digital tools and entrepreneurship programs like Zoho Youth Creator.

• Crocodile Foundation – Launching the JCI–Crocodile Foundation SDG Community Grant in 2026 to fund impactful local projects.

Honoring JCI Club100 Members

The ceremony was also marked with a tribute to JCI Club100 members, whose investments sustain JCI’s mission globally. Among those recognized and honored with certificates of recognition, symbolizing their unwavering commitment to JCI’s mission and shared values were:

• Techno Drugs Ltd. represented by Executive Director, Arefeen Raafi Ahmed – Championing healthcare access through innovation.

• Le Fonds de Développement de la Formation Professionnelle (FDFP) represented by Head of Financial Resources and Facilities, Yann-Cedric Kouame – Driving vocational training and skills development.

• NMT Group & PMU Global Chains represented by Chief Operations Officer & 2025 JCI Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, Oudam Ly – Supporting entrepreneurship through the Creative Young Entrepreneur initiative.

• Matsugashita Metalworks Co., Ltd. represented by Executive Director Hiroshi Matsugashita  – Innovating in manufacturing and production.

• Apextra represented by Chief Executive Officer, John Di Rico – Facilitating cross-border business through expert translation services.

• Equipo.ph represented by Chief Executive Officer & JCI Philippines 2025 National President Felix Venson Chua – Providing high-quality industrial solutions.

• Senator Shingai Rukwata Ndoro – A long-standing advocate for youth empowerment and civic leadership.

  
  

In addition, Kohei Oya, Chairperson of the 2025 Sponsorships Committee, was honored with a certificate recognizing his outstanding commitment and achievement in strengthening JCI’s global collaborations. His strategic leadership has been instrumental in driving partnership growth and impact throughout the year.

A shared Commitment to the Future of Young Leaders

As JCI President Keisuke Shimoyamada emphasized, these partnerships are more than agreements, they are commitments to collaboration, action, and impact. Together with its partners, JCI continues to build bridges that empower young leaders to lead boldly and create lasting impact.

Join the Movement. Explore partnership opportunities and learn more about Club100 at JCIPartnerships.com.