UNESCO, JCI and JCI France Unite to Champion Youth-Led Science at the 2026 IDSSD Global Conference

Paris, France | 16 July 2026

As part of the 2026 International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) Global Conference, UNESCO, Junior Chamber International (JCI) and JCI France co-organized the interactive thematic session, "Innovation in Action: Young Leaders Shaping Tomorrow," at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The session brought together young leaders, scientists and practitioners from three continents to explore how scientific knowledge can be transformed into practical, scalable solutions for sustainable development.

Organized under the conference theme, "Science in Action: Charting a Sustainable and Equitable Future for All,"the session highlighted the vital role of youth leadership in bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world impact. Through dialogue, practical examples and audience participation, participants explored how science, innovation and collaboration can contribute to more resilient, inclusive and sustainable societies.

The session was moderated by Vianney Copleutre, National President of JCI France, and featured an international panel of speakers:

• Patricia Mwangelwa Longwani (Zambia/Luxembourg), Climate Policy Specialist

• Abed El Rahman El Khatib (Lebanon/France), Environmental Engineer

• Joy Nwaze (Nigeria/United Kingdom), Climate Policy Expert and CSR Specialist

• Laurie Pazienza (France), Energy Engineer and Climate Activist

Drawing on their diverse professional experiences, the speakers shared how young professionals are applying scientific knowledge to address challenges in climate action, engineering, public policy and sustainable development within their communities. Their examples demonstrated that science becomes most impactful when translated into practical solutions that respond to local needs and can be adapted and scaled.

The interactive format encouraged participants to move beyond theory by examining concrete pathways from knowledge to action. Discussions focused on how young leaders can better access and apply scientific knowledge, the leadership skills required to scale innovation, and the importance of stronger collaboration between science, policy, business and civil society to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

The session concluded that making science accessible to young people, strengthening scientific literacy through capacity building, and translating evidence into public policy are essential for sustainable development. Participants emphasized that young leaders have a key role in promoting evidence-based decision-making, fostering accountability and ensuring that scientific knowledge is transformed into concrete action for communities.

The session reinforced the objectives of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033) by demonstrating that scientific knowledge achieves its greatest impact when combined with inclusive leadership, cross-sector partnerships and active community engagement. The collaboration between UNESCO, JCI and JCI France showcased the value of international partnerships in empowering young leaders to transform science into meaningful action for sustainable and equitable development.