Global Youth Dialogue 2025: Youth Voices Shaping the Future of Development

On 24 September 2025, more than 1,060 registered participants and 662 live attendees came together for the Global Youth Dialogue 2025, hosted by JCI in support of Global Goals Week (UN Foundation) and the YouthLead Festival (UN Youth Office). This annual dialogue proved once again that youth are not just demanding change — we are leading it.

With interpretation available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese, the event created a truly global and inclusive space where young leaders, changemakers, and partners could exchange insights, share experiences, and co-create bold priorities for the future of development. The Dialogue was also broadcast live on Facebook, reaching more than 3,600 viewers worldwide.

A Global Gathering of Youth and Partners

Young leaders joined not only as individuals but also representing organizations, local communities, and youth networks. Importantly, the Dialogue also welcomed distinguished partners and voices from across the UN system, business, education, and youth organizations, highlighting JCI’s ability to convene diverse stakeholders for collective impact.

Inspiring Voices, Bold Conversations

Opening the Dialogue, JCI President Keisuke Shimoyamada and Interim Secretary General Elvin Teo reminded participants of the responsibility and opportunity of youth leadership.

From there, a lineup of inspiring leaders shared perspectives and powerful messages:

• Godfrey Alumai (UN Youth Office): “We cannot rescue the SDGs without putting youth at the center. The largest generation in history must have a seat at the decision-making table.”

  
  

• Khoo Chai Ching (Zoho Corporation): “Technology is the great equalizer for young entrepreneurs — driving resilience, inclusivity, and responsibility. The next generation is building businesses that are not only future-ready, but also purpose-driven.”

  
  

• Tony Kaldas (Airalo): “Innovation only scales when it is built on trust. Disruption takes time, patience, and persistence — and it demands adaptability.”

  
  

• Kate Robertson (One Young World): “We only value the things we measure. It’s not enough for youth to have a voice — that voice must influence real action.”

  
  

• Alyssa Cortez Peralta (UN Global Compact Network USA): “We must break the silos. Cross-sector collaboration and peer learning are how youth can accelerate the SDGs.”

  
  

• Bill Fisher (Quantic School of Business & Technology): “Education is the great equalizer. When made accessible, it multiplies opportunities and drives sustainable change.”

  
  

• My Lo Cook (Girl Up): “Education is a human right. Its protective and transformative power is passed down from one generation to another.”

  
  

• Raquel Armendariz Sucunza (SDSN Youth): “Be consistent and persistent. Change doesn’t come overnight, but community and collaboration will get us there.”

  
  

• Shannon Kobran (SDG Academy): “Lifelong learning, adaptability, and soft skills are as important as technology. Youth leadership grows when we remain flexible and open.”

  
  

Together, these voices painted a vivid picture of how youth are builders, connectors, catalysts, and impact makers driving the Sustainable Development Goals.

From Dialogue to Action

The most dynamic part of the Dialogue came through the Workshop Dialogue, where participants broke into interactive language-based groups facilitated by JCI Board Members. During the workshop, youth reflected, exchanged, and co-created practical actions across JCI’s Four Areas of Opportunity:

• Business & Entrepreneurship

• International Cooperation

• Individual Development

• Community Impact

  
  

A highlight of the session was the collective commitment toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). When asked “Which SDGs are you most motivated to work toward?” participants cast 216 votes. The top priorities were clear:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – 17.1%

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – 12.0%

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – 9.7%

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – 7.9%

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – 7.9%

  
  

📊 These results reveal that youth are deeply committed to building equitable, peaceful, and sustainable societies, with education emerging as the top driver of change.

Participants also identified concrete actions to carry forward — from creating inclusive business solutions to forging partnerships, strengthening leadership skills, and scaling community projects into systemic change.

By the end of the session, the chat was alive with more than 1,300+ messages and 800+ reactions, proof of the energy and engagement driving this youth-led movement.

The Power of JCI and Youth Leadership

The Global Youth Dialogue 2025 is more than an event — it is a global mobilization of youth voices. By bringing together diverse perspectives across continents and sectors, JCI continues to prove the power of its network in shaping the future of development.

With partners ranging from the United Nations to private sector innovators and youth-led organizations, this Dialogue showed how JCI can bridge generations, sectors, and regions to drive bold action on the SDGs.

The future isn’t waiting — youth are leading it. 🌍✨