JCI and AIESEC create space for Youth-Led Solutions
On 24 September 2026, Junior Chamber International (JCI) and AIESEC co-organized the Youth Solutions Lab: From SDG Challenge to Youth-Led Action at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York. Held during #UNGA81 and in support of Global Goals Week, the event created an interactive space for young people to transform Sustainable Development Goal challenges into practical, youth-led solutions.
With fewer than five years remaining to advance the 2030 Agenda, the Lab reflected the urgency of moving beyond conversation toward action. Rather than positioning young people only as audience members, the program invited them to lead the problem-solving process, contribute their experiences and design responses to real challenges connected to the SDGs.
The dialogue began by exploring what meaningful youth leadership looks like in practice. It then examined how institutional priorities influence the allocation of funding and other resources before expanding to the barriers that youth-led NGOs encounter when building partnerships and seeking support. Participants also considered how indicators could better recognize the value, progress and impact of organizations led by young people.
A key theme was the need to shift from waiting for resources to be allocated toward actively creating new funding and resource opportunities. This approach calls on youth-led organizations to strengthen their capacity, build strategic partnerships and develop more sustainable models—while encouraging established institutions to make their systems more accessible and responsive to young leaders.
The session combined expert perspectives with a collaborative, case-based workshop. Working in groups, participants examined root causes, proposed concrete actions, identified potential partners and outlined six-month implementation plans. Panelists introduced the challenges and provided context, but the young people in the room owned the solutions.
Representing JCI was Clifford Robin Temprosa Li, a member of JCI USA, who participated as a case author and panelist. An entrepreneur, consultant, public policy strategist and civic leader, Clifford contributed experience spanning organizational development, resource mobilization, government relations, technology and community engagement.
The Youth Solutions Lab demonstrated the importance of organizations such as JCI creating spaces where young people can move from discussing global challenges to designing meaningful responses. It also put SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals into practice by showing how collaboration between youth networks, institutions and civil society can help overcome barriers, mobilize resources and turn shared priorities into action.
By co-organizing the Lab with AIESEC, JCI reinforced its commitment to supporting Global Goals Week and contributing to the wider UNGA81 conversation. Most importantly, the event showed that young people should not have to wait for solutions—or permission—to lead. When they are trusted, connected and equipped to create resources and partnerships, they can build stronger organizations and generate lasting impact in their communities.
