The Journalists and Writers Foundation concluded the Global Youth Leadership Programme 2026 on 2 July 202 with a virtual Graduation Ceremony. It is with immense pride and heartfelt congratulations that we celebrated the achievements of the Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 fellows. Over the past six months, this vibrant cohort of 50 young leaders from 18 countries has exemplified dedication, resilience, and a shared commitment to creating positive, inclusive, and sustainable change. This Graduation Ceremony marks not only the conclusion of this year`s engagements but also the beginning of a lifelong journey of leadership and service. This milestone occasion was a testament to our participants` hard work and the inspiring insights shared by distinguished speakers and fellow participants.

A Moment of Reflection and Celebration

The ceremony commenced with warm greetings from the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF), acknowledging the collective dedication of all participants. Over the last six months, participants have engaged in impactful sessions, learned from global experts, and built bridges across cultures—forming a truly global community committed to advancing peace, justice, and sustainable development. The event emphasized that “leadership is not a title but a practice,” a core message echoed throughout the program. President of the JWF, Dr. Mehmet Kilic emphasized, “Your dedication and commitment over these months are what define true leadership—leadership that serves, inspires, and sustains.” Mehmet also shared a personal insight: “This program is a seed. It’s about planting ideas and nurturing them through action and persistence.” He also commended the dedicated work of the GYLP 2026 Working Groups on Interfaith Dialogue, Economic Development, Global Health, and Quality Education for convening meaningful virtual engagement platforms to raise awareness on the respective topics discussed by their teams.

Reflections from Our Distinguished Speakers

Nancy Falcon, Advisory Board Member of the JWF from Italy: A Voice of Interfaith and Peacebuilding

Nancy Falcon, a prominent expert in interreligious and intercultural dialogue, reflected profoundly on the essence of leadership. She said, “Leadership is about showing up, even in small moments, and choosing to engage. It is about being present and committed.” She emphasized that “the real credential you carry with you today is the shared experience, the conversations, the listening, and the willingness to understand others.” Nancy Falcon added, “Building networks that transcend borders is vital. Protect this network, nurture it, because it is a powerful tool for change.” She urged participants to “stay curious about the questions, not just the answers,” emphasizing that “the questions will keep your work honest and alive.” She highlighted that “leadership is a practice, not a privilege,” and encouraged everyone to “lead with compassion, integrity, and humility.” 

Nancy Falcon reaffirmed: “Leadership is rooted in dialogue, compassion, and service. Continue to show up, listen, and act.” She encouraged graduates to “remain curious, stay connected, and foster peace through understanding.” Ms. Falcon`s closing words were both motivating and reassuring: “Your journey of leadership and service is lifelong. Every act of dialogue and kindness contributes to peace.” She concluded with a powerful reminder: “Leadership is a lifelong practice, built on everyday acts of kindness, dialogue, and service.” Nancy Falcon expressed her confidence that “each of you will contribute to a more peaceful, just, and understanding world.”

Ayuba Bazam, Former Alumni of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Programme 2024 from Nigeria: From Participant to Changemaker

Ayuba Bazaam, an alumnus of the program and current leader in Nigeria, shared his transformative experience: “This program changed my life and my career trajectory. It gave me access to opportunities I never imagined—speaking engagements, leadership roles, and the confidence to act.” He stressed that “seizing every opportunity is key,” encouraging the cohort: “Make the most of each moment, because you never know where it might lead.” He reflected on the importance of “building meaningful relationships” and said, “Network is your greatest asset—invest in it.” Ayuba emphasized that “leadership is about service, sacrifice, and continuous learning,” and reminded everyone that “this program is just the beginning—keep pushing, keep advocating, and keep making a difference.” 

In closing, Ayuba underscored the importance of “staying committed to your causes, remaining humble, and always being ready to learn.” His words resonated deeply: “This experience has empowered me to transform my community and continue my journey with purpose.” Ayuba Bazam reinforced this, stating: “This program is just the beginning. Your actions, your voice, and your dedication will shape the future. Keep leading, keep advocating, and never stop learning.”

Angela Qureshi from Pakistan highlighted how “the program taught me that human relations and community engagement are at the core of leadership.” She shared that “building cross-border connections has empowered me to serve my community better.”

Hubert Iwanow from Poland expressed that “the knowledge and confidence I gained opened doors to new opportunities,” including policy consultations and youth forums, reinforcing that “youth can influence policy if they are committed.”

Joti from India reflected: “Addressing climate change must prioritize those most affected. Connecting with global experts and peers strengthened my resolve to advocate for community-centered solutions.”

Dawlet Hudayberdiyev from Turkmenistan, participating remotely from hospital, shared his belief: “Despite physical challenges, I feel more connected and empowered to promote peace and understanding across cultures.”

Celebrating Achievements and Next Steps

Throughout the event, your shared insights and accomplishments demonstrated how the skills and knowledge gained over these months will serve as vital tools for your future endeavors. Dr. Mehmet Kilic highlighted that “leadership is a practice rooted in service, impact, and ongoing commitment.” He urged graduates to “share their experiences on social media, update their LinkedIn profiles with their achievements, and continue engaging with the networks created.” As he underscored, “your leadership journey is a continuous process—keep building, keep contributing.”  Mehmet Kilic also emphasized that “your potential is limitless—embrace every opportunity to grow and lead.” JWF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting alumni beyond this milestone. Graduates are encouraged to reach out for mentorship, collaborations, and resource sharing. The program’s recorded sessions and research outputs are being published to amplify your voices and inspire others worldwide.

Congratulations to All Graduates!

Journalists and Writers Foundation wholeheartedly congratulate all the participants of the Global Youth Leadership Programme 2026 for their dedication, resilience, and commitment during this intensive journey. Their efforts over these six months have laid a strong foundation for impactful leadership—one that will continue to influence and inspire. We would like to reiterate that the world needs young leaders` voice, ideas, and actions. We look forward to staying connected, and hope that all our participants will continue to lead with purpose.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation hosted Session 6 of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 on 25 June 2026, under the theme “Global Youth Leadership and Empowerment Programs.” The session brought together young leaders from across the world for an interactive and action-oriented dialogue to emphasize the power of youth-led initiatives, strategic advocacy, and authentic leadership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The session hosted Maria Guardado, Senior Fellow of World Anti-Extremism Network from Canada and Kubra Kaya, President of the ESN Vilnius Tech University based in Lithuania. 

The esteemed youth leaders delivered inspiring messages grounded in their personal journeys, emphasizing that true leadership is about action, persistence, and building genuine relationships. Ms. Guardado highlighted that “opportunities are created by proactive effort, strategic thinking, and authentic self-presentation,” and stressed that social media is a vital tool—serving as a digital portfolio—that amplifies your impact and visibility. She explained that “your social media presence becomes a digital CV,” showcasing your work, values, and commitment to causes, which can attract future collaborations, funding, and opportunities.

Maria Guardado also underscored that “building a credible online presence requires consistency, authenticity, and strategic content creation.” She encouraged participants to think of their social media as a continuous, dynamic portfolio that captures their journey, accomplishments, and advocacy efforts. She shared that “having a professional, active online persona makes a difference when applying for international platforms, conferences, or leadership roles.”

Kubra Kaya’s story further reinforced these ideas, illustrating how volunteering, taking initiative, and engaging in community projects are foundational to leadership development. She recounted her experience from responding to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, where she organized fundraising events and mobilized her community—transforming her initial feelings of helplessness into a driving force for action. Ms. Kaya emphasized that “leadership begins with small, community-led actions,” and highlighted that “every challenge and setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.” Her journey from volunteering in local initiatives to leading university organizations and representing Lithuania at international forums exemplifies that leadership is a process built on persistence and community service.

Leadership as a Process, Not a Title

Both speakers stressed that leadership today is about influence, integrity, and impact—regardless of formal titles or positions. Maria Guardado emphasized that “anyone with a passion for change can be a leader,” and encouraged youth to view themselves as active agents of transformation. Kubra echoed this, sharing that “leadership is about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing challenges, and inspiring others through your actions.” She shared her experience of organizing cultural and educational events, which required strategic planning, teamwork, and resilience—highlighting that “small actions can lead to large-scale change.”

Ms. Guardado added that “building trust and maintaining authenticity are key to sustaining influence,” and that “relationships built on genuine connection and reliability are the foundation for long-term impact.” Kubra reinforced that “collaboration, networking, and mentorship” are essential in expanding your reach and creating opportunities for collective growth.

Leveraging Social Media for Advocacy and Career Growth

A significant part of the session focused on the strategic use of social media. Ms. Guardado explained that “social media platforms are like digital CVs, showcasing your projects, ideas, and advocacy work to a global audience.” She advised participants to “share content that reflects your values, expertise, and commitment,” and to “engage actively with communities, organizations, and thought leaders.”

Kubra Kaya shared her personal practice of building a network through social media, emphasizing that content creation—like videos, articles, and reflections—can lead to unexpected opportunities. She highlighted that “consistent, meaningful engagement on social platforms has helped her connect with international organizations, participate in forums, and secure speaking roles.” Kubra Kaya also pointed out that “content shared authentically and thoughtfully can leave a lasting impression on decision-makers and peers alike.” Both speakers reminded participants that “your online reputation is a reflection of your character and dedication,” and that “building a credible digital footprint requires strategic content, authenticity, and regular activity.”

Upcoming Global Opportunities: The September SDGs Conference

Looking ahead, the session previewed the JWF`s Annual signature event SDGs Conference 2026: In the Margins of the UNGA81 in New York, scheduled for 21-23 September 2026, which will bring together from over 20 countries’ representatives, including heads of state, ministers, and civil society leaders. This event provides an exceptional platform for young leaders to share their projects, participate in high-level discussions, and expand their networks. Participants are encouraged to visit the conference website to explore the program, submit proposals, and consider applying for the Pioneers in SDGs Awards—a prestigious recognition for innovative youth-led projects aligned with the SDGs. Maria and Kubra emphasized that “participating in such global events is essential for gaining visibility, experience, and influence,” and encouraged everyone to prepare to showcase their work and ideas.

Leadership Is for Everyone: A Call to Action

Maria Guardado and Kubra Kaya concluded by emphasizing that leadership is accessible to all who are willing to take action. They urged participants to view themselves as changemakers, regardless of age or formal position, and to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Kubra shared that “nothing is always easy, but perseverance, authenticity, and a willingness to learn are what make a true leader.” Maria added that “building trust and relationships is a lifelong journey, not a one-time achievement.”

They reinforced that “small, intentional steps—volunteering, networking, content creation—are the building blocks of impactful leadership.” Both emphasized that “every effort, no matter how modest, contributes to the larger goal of sustainable development and social justice.”

JWF extends its gratitude to all participants for their active engagement, inspiring stories, and commitment to making a difference. Your journey as youth leaders is ongoing, and these experiences today lay the foundation for your future impact. We invited all our young fellows to remember, that your voice and your actions are your most powerful tools. JWF encourages all the participants of GYLP 2026 continue to share your stories on social media, participate in global conferences, and build genuine connections—these are the keys to unlocking your full potential.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation hosted Session 5 of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 on May 28, 2026, under the theme “Actions to Combat Climate Change.” The session brought together young leaders from across the world for an interactive and action-oriented dialogue on climate leadership, youth participation, environmental justice, and sustainable solutions. At a time when climate change continues to intensify inequalities, disrupt livelihoods, displace communities, and threaten ecosystems, the session emphasized the urgent need to move from awareness to implementation, and from discussion to concrete climate action.

The session featured two distinguished speakers: Dr. Peshang H. Karim, environmental scientist, and Water Solutions Lead with the High-Level Climate Champions from Poland, and Ashley Inyanya Kitisya, Africa Programs Manager at the Laudato Si’ Movement from Nigeria. Both speakers brought rich experience from climate advocacy, international negotiations, grassroots mobilization, environmental justice, and youth-led climate engagement.

Youth Participation in Climate Decision-Making

The first speaker, Dr. Peshang H. Karim, opened his remarks by focusing on the importance of youth participation and inclusion in climate decision-making processes, both inside and outside the United Nations system. He reminded participants that climate negotiations are often long, technical, and difficult processes, but that the future of humanity depends on the decisions made in these spaces. Dr. Karim emphasized that many climate decisions are still made behind closed doors by older decision-makers, while young people and children will live with the long-term consequences of those decisions. For this reason, he argued that youth inclusion and accountability are essential, not symbolic. Young people must not only be invited into climate spaces; their ideas, visions, and demands must meaningfully shape policies and implementation.

Reflecting on his own journey, Dr. Karim shared how this concern led him to become involved in the UN climate process and to participate in international climate conferences, including the Conference of Parties and youth climate platforms. He explained that participation alone is not enough. Young climate advocates must enter these spaces with clear agendas, policy priorities, and collective demands. Through platforms such as YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency of the UNFCCC, young people are able to organize, prepare policy papers, develop declarations, and present youth demands to world leaders.

His remarks underscored an important lesson for youth leaders: climate advocacy requires preparation, coordination, persistence, and strategy. In large international spaces where thousands of people participate, young people can easily be overlooked unless they organize collectively, build shared positions, and advocate consistently.

From Declarations to Implementation

A central theme in Dr. Karim’s presentation was the need to move beyond declarations and pledges toward implementation. He acknowledged that youth demands are not always immediately adopted by world leaders, especially because climate decision-making is shaped by political, economic, and geopolitical interests. However, he also emphasized that youth advocacy is never wasted. Persistent engagement, lobbying, bilateral meetings, policy recommendations, and public pressure can help shift narratives, influence declarations, and create openings for greater youth inclusion.

Dr. Karim also spoke about his work with the Climate High-Level Champions, explaining that the goal is to better align and strengthen the role of non-state actors, including civil society organizations, NGOs, academia, local communities, and the private sector. He emphasized that non-state actors bring real-world experience, community-based knowledge, and practical solutions into climate action spaces. He stressed that the world already has many climate pledges, but what is urgently needed is visible implementation. Climate action must move from conference statements to local realities, from commitments on paper to measurable change in communities. He described this shift as essential in a period increasingly defined as a time for implementation.

Lessons from COP30 and the Climate Action Agenda

Dr. Karim shared reflections from his participation in COP30 in Belém, Brazil, describing the conference as a vivid reminder of the urgency of climate action. He noted that participants experienced storms, fire, and visible frustration from vulnerable local communities who felt unheard in global climate spaces. These experiences illustrated the gap between high-level climate discussions and the lived realities of communities on the frontlines of climate change.

He then discussed the six axes of the climate action agenda announced around COP30, which focused on: energy, industry, and transport; forests, oceans, and biodiversity; agriculture and food systems; resilience for cities, infrastructure, and water; human and social development; and enabling factors such as finance, technology, and capacity building. These axes, he explained, were designed to accelerate real solutions across sectors and connect climate goals to practical pathways for implementation.

Dr. Karim emphasized that the major question is no longer simply whether solutions exist. The world already knows many of the technical solutions, including renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and water solutions. The deeper question is how to implement those solutions across homes, communities, businesses, institutions, and local economies. His closing message was clear and urgent: young people must become part of the solution, not part of the problem. He called on participants to join organizations, take part in local, regional, and global initiatives, and act now because the climate crisis cannot wait for slow political cycles.

Environmental Justice, Faith Communities, and Youth-Led Transformation

The second speaker, Ashley Inyanya Kitisya, Africa Programs Manager at the Laudato Si’ Movement, brought a powerful justice-centered and community-based perspective to the discussion. She began by reminding participants that the world is living through a defining decade shaped by technology, geopolitics, and worsening climate impacts, including droughts and displacement across Africa and beyond. Ashley emphasized that young people are not only future leaders; they are already organizers, innovators, advocates, and solution-builders. She noted that youth movements have evolved significantly because of grassroots action, where young people are no longer waiting for permission to participate. Instead, they are demanding space in decision-making processes that directly affect their futures.

Drawing from her experience at COP30, Ashley discussed the importance of bringing an ethical and moral lens to climate action. As someone working within a faith-based organization, she highlighted the role of faith communities in asking deeper questions about justice, responsibility, and human dignity. She emphasized that climate decisions must center people and communities, especially those on the frontlines who are often absent from formal decision-making spaces. 

Fossil Fuel Phase-Out, Just Transition, and Accountability

One of Ashley’s key reflections focused on the growing global conversation around fossil fuel phase-out and just transition. She explained that moving away from oil and gas is essential because fossil fuels remain a major driver of the climate crisis. However, this transition must be fair and context-sensitive. Countries and communities must not be forced into transition pathways that ignore their economic realities, energy needs, or development challenges. 

She described the outcomes of COP30, including processes connected to implementation beyond COP30 and discussions on fossil fuel transition, as important steps forward. At the same time, she emphasized that commitments are only meaningful when followed by accountability at national and community levels. This is where youth-led initiatives become crucial: young people can track progress, raise awareness, document community needs, and amplify grassroots voices. Ashley stressed that every young person could begin with an action in their own community. Whether through advocacy, education, monitoring, storytelling, research, policy engagement, or local organizing, youth can help ensure that climate commitments translate into meaningful change.

Collaboration, Capacity Building, and Long-Term Climate Leadership

A major theme in Ashley’s remarks was collaboration. She shared that one of the lessons from her own experience, including as a 2024 alumna of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program, is that collaboration continues long after a program ends. Networks built through youth leadership programs can become long-term sources of mentorship, partnership, and mutual support. She encouraged participants to invest in capacity building, continuous learning, and credible knowledge. In a time when climate information is abundant but misinformation is also widespread, young advocates must become reliable, grounded, and informed voices in their communities.

Ashley also highlighted the importance of working with youth organizations to access funding, mentorship, and technology. She noted that meaningful youth engagement requires trust, transparency, and willingness to share power. Youth participation should not be an afterthought; it must be embedded into planning, decision-making, and implementation strategies from the beginning. She also acknowledged the systemic barriers that limit youth participation, including unemployment, digital divides, lack of mentorship, and unequal access to climate spaces. Addressing these challenges requires inclusive participation, stronger support systems, and sustained investment in young people.

Her message to participants was both practical and inspiring: your voice matters, and your action matters even more. She urged youth leaders to start where they are, with what they have, while remaining grounded in justice, courage, hope, and long-term commitment.

Climate Action Must Be Rooted in Justice and Community

During the Q&A session, participants raised questions on international climate law, the Paris Agreement, climate accountability, Indigenous representation, and grassroots participation. The discussion highlighted the complexity of climate governance and the limits of state-led processes, especially when countries withdraw from agreements or fail to meet their obligations.

Ashley emphasized that although international climate processes are largely state-led, young people and civil society can continue advocating through other channels, including international legal bodies, regional organizations, community-led discussions, and social media. She noted that climate accountability is becoming increasingly important and that a clean environment is increasingly recognized as a human rights issue.

Participants also asked how global climate initiatives can ensure that Indigenous peoples and grassroots communities are meaningfully represented in decision-making. Dr. Karim responded by highlighting the importance of climate finance, transparency, and the need for the Global North to support communities in the Global South that contribute least to climate change but face some of its harshest consequences. He discussed the importance of climate finance mechanisms, including the role of the Green Climate Fund and the need to channel resources transparently and effectively to those most affected.

This exchange reinforced one of the session’s most important insights: climate action must be grounded in justice. Those who are most affected by climate change — Indigenous peoples, local communities, youth, women, small island communities, rural populations, and vulnerable groups — must not be treated only as victims. They must be recognized as knowledge holders, leaders, partners, and decision-makers.

Youth Leadership for a Sustainable Future

Across both presentations and the Q&A discussion, a shared message emerged: climate action requires more than concern. It requires leadership, organization, accountability, collaboration, and courage. The speakers encouraged young leaders to move beyond awareness campaigns alone and toward concrete action. This includes participating in climate working groups, developing policy proposals, engaging with local communities, strengthening climate literacy, building partnerships, tracking government commitments, advocating for just transition, and supporting grassroots solutions.

The session also emphasized that climate change is not only an environmental issue. It is connected to human rights, economic justice, public health, migration, food systems, water security, peace, and intergenerational equity. For young leaders, this means climate action can happen across many fields — law, policy, education, media, technology, faith communities, research, advocacy, and community organizing.

From Climate Concern to Climate Action

The fifth session of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 reaffirmed the importance of empowering young people as climate leaders and sustainability advocates. Through the insights of Dr. Peshang H. Karim and Ashley Inyanya Kitisya, participants were encouraged to see themselves not as observers of the climate crisis, but as active contributors to climate solutions. The session highlighted that the future of climate action depends on meaningful youth participation, ethical leadership, strong partnerships, climate justice, and implementation at every level. It also underscored that global climate commitments must be connected to local realities, especially for communities most affected by climate change. As part of JWF Academy’s broader mission to strengthen youth leadership for sustainable development, this session encouraged participants to act with urgency, build across communities, remain grounded in justice, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for all.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation, hosted Session 4 of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 on 23 April 2026, under the theme “Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Resolution. The session brought together young leaders from diverse countries for an interactive and practice-oriented discussion on the relationship between human rights, sustainable peace, conflict prevention, and youth leadership. At a time when societies around the world are facing increasing polarization, shrinking civic space, violent conflict, digital misinformation, economic inequality, forced displacement, and climate-related insecurity, the session emphasized that peace cannot be achieved without justice, dignity, inclusion, and accountability.

The first speaker, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria, opened his remarks by situating the conversation within the urgent realities of today’s world. He emphasized that human rights can no longer be understood only through traditional debates around state violence and civil liberties. Instead, contemporary human rights challenges now intersect with digital governance, climate change, economic inequality, emerging technologies, shrinking civic space, and growing tendencies toward authoritarianism.

Dr. Ochogwu reminded participants that young people are not only beneficiaries of peace; they are also architects of peace. This framing placed youth at the center of peacebuilding and conflict transformation, not as passive recipients of policy decisions, but as active agents capable of shaping more inclusive and peaceful societies.

A central message of his presentation was that human rights and conflict resolution can no longer be treated as separate fields. In the 21st century, conflicts are increasingly multidimensional, shaped by fragile governance systems, economic marginalization, identity-based violence, climate-induced displacement, digital misinformation, and cyber manipulation. He warned that peace processes that fail to mainstream human rights often produce fragile and reversible outcomes.

Dr. Ochogwu also highlighted the evolution of human rights advocacy. He explained that advocacy has moved beyond “naming and shaming” toward data-driven accountability, grassroots and youth-led mobilization, and multi-actor governance involving governments, civil society organizations, technology firms, and local communities. This shift is particularly important for young leaders, as it shows that effective human rights work today requires evidence, collaboration, digital literacy, and community-based engagement.

Digital Rights, Climate Justice, and Emerging Drivers of Conflict

A key part of Dr. Ochogwu’s remarks focused on the need to update human rights-based approaches for contemporary realities. He emphasized that human rights now extend beyond physical spaces into digital ecosystems. In an era of online hate, surveillance abuse, misinformation, disinformation, cyber manipulation, and the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, peacebuilding must include digital rights protection. He encouraged young people to consider how technology can either deepen conflict or become a tool for mobilization, accountability, and peace.

He also drew attention to structural and emerging drivers of conflict, including climate change, resource scarcity, population displacement, youth unemployment, economic inequality, urban fragility, informal settlements, and technological exclusion. These issues demonstrate that sustainable peace requires more than ending violence; it requires addressing the conditions that create exclusion, frustration, vulnerability, and instability.

For youth leaders, this message was particularly significant. Dr. Ochogwu emphasized that young people must develop personal leadership, take responsibility for their actions, and prepare themselves to lead both individually and collectively. He noted that despite global commitments, exclusion persists, yet youth movements are increasingly influencing governance and peacebuilding around the world.

Peace, Justice, and Accountability in Complex Conflicts

Dr. Ochogwu further explored the relationship between peace and justice, asking how societies can pursue peace without accountability. He described this as one of the central tragedies of the contemporary world: the pursuit of peace while justice remains elusive. In hybrid conflicts involving states, non-state actors, insurgent groups, and digital platforms, accountability becomes increasingly complex. He raised important questions about how societies can hold both state and non-state actors accountable in asymmetric conflicts.

He highlighted several modern accountability mechanisms, including transitional justice systems, international legal institutions, community-based reconciliation, digital evidence, and open-source investigations. He stressed that the goal is not only punishment, but also truth, reparations, institutional reform, and guarantees of non-repetition. This approach places human dignity and long-term reconciliation at the center of peacebuilding.

Drawing from international examples, including Colombia, the Sahel, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Sudan, and Nigeria, Dr. Ochogwu emphasized that peace agreements are easier to sign than to implement. He noted that meaningful peace requires victim-centered justice, gender inclusion, land reform, community engagement, and sustained institutional commitment. His concluding message was both urgent and empowering: the future of peace will not be negotiated without youth; it must be led with youth. Peace, he emphasized, is not merely the absence of violence, but the presence of justice, inclusion, and dignity.

Understanding Human Rights and the Universal Declaration

The second speaker, Felicia Clement, a Ph.D. candidate at the Balsillie School of International Affairs / University of Waterloo, provided a foundational and accessible overview of human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, hum an rights violations, and monitoring mechanisms. She began by reminding participants that human rights are not privileges granted by states, but rights that people possess simply because they are human. She explained that human rights are fundamental, universal, inherent, indivisible, interdependent, inalienable, equal, and non-discriminatory. This framing helped participants understand that human rights are not abstract legal concepts, but essential protections tied to dignity, equality, and human existence.

Felicia Clement then introduced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, in the aftermath of World War II. She explained that the Declaration was developed by a commission representing different political, cultural, and religious backgrounds, and that although it is not legally binding as a treaty, it became the foundational document for international human rights law and inspired the development of multiple UN human rights monitoring mechanisms. Her presentation also clarified the difference between human rights and civil rights, helping participants understand that while human rights are universal and inherent, civil rights are often tied to state obligations and legal protections within specific national systems.

Human Rights Violations Are Not Always Where We Expect Them

One of the most powerful parts of Felicia Clement’s presentation was her discussion of human rights violations in countries that are not always commonly perceived as violators. Using Canada as an example, she discussed the ongoing lack of access to safe drinking water among some Indigenous communities. She explained that inadequate infrastructure, limited federal funding, and a history of discriminatory policies have contributed to water insecurity among Indigenous peoples. She highlighted one community in Northern Ontario that has experienced a boil-water advisory since 1995. This example encouraged participants to think critically about human rights in their own countries and communities. Rather than assuming that violations occur only in distant or conflict-affected settings, she urged young leaders to look more deeply at structural inequalities, historical injustices, and the everyday ways in which rights may be denied or neglected.

Felicia Clement also introduced participants to the main human rights monitoring mechanisms, including treaty-based bodies and charter-based bodies. She explained that charter-based bodies derive from the UN Charter and examine human rights more broadly, while treaty-based bodies monitor compliance with specific treaties that states have signed and ratified. She further explained that UN treaty bodies are composed of independent experts who receive information from governments, civil society organizations, and individuals, question governments about their human rights records, and make public recommendations for action. Through this presentation, participants gained a clearer understanding of how international human rights systems operate, why monitoring matters, and how civil society can contribute evidence, advocacy, and accountability.

Peace Education, Costa Rica, and the Practice of Living Peace

The third speaker, Elif Dursun, joining from Costa Rica, brought a reflective and practice-based perspective on peace education, human development, and the role of learning environments in shaping future peacebuilders. Drawing from her experience at the University for Peace, she discussed Costa Rica’s unique approach to peace, emphasizing that the country chose to invest in education, health, human development, and nature instead of maintaining a standing army.

Elif Dursun emphasized that peace is not passive. It requires effort, accountability, and people who are willing to work for it. She described peace education as a shared global responsibility and highlighted the idea that if conflict has deep roots, education can also become part of the solution. Her presentation invited youth leaders to think about peace not only as a political outcome, but also as a lived practice. She described how learning in a natural, multicultural, and international environment can support reflection, connection, and dialogue. She also highlighted the global identity of peace education, noting that students, faculty, alumni, and academic partnerships can create networks that extend far beyond one campus or one country.

Importantly, Elif Dursun also offered an honest reflection on the challenges of multicultural living. She noted that living in a diverse environment means encountering different beliefs, habits, and cultural perspectives, which can sometimes lead to tension or misunderstanding. However, she framed these moments as opportunities to practice conflict resolution in real life. Her closing message was a call to young people to imagine themselves working in peacebuilding spaces, including United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, restorative justice education, training, and other fields connected to human rights and peace. She reminded participants that although there are critiques of international institutions, the world still needs people who are willing to work for peace.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation hosted Session 3 of the Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 on 26 March 2026, under the theme “Interfaith and Civil Society Contributions in Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies.” The session convened youth leaders from different countries and backgrounds for an interactive dialogue on the role of faith communities, civil society organizations in advancing peace, social cohesion, mutual understanding, and inclusive civic engagement. In a time marked by polarization, conflict, displacement, hate speech, and social fragmentation, the session created a meaningful platform for young leaders to reflect on how dialogue can move beyond symbolic exchange and become a practical tool for bridge-building, reconciliation, and collective action.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mehmet Kilic, President of the Journalists and Writers Foundation, welcomed participants joining from around the world and introduced the session as part of JWF’s broader commitment to promoting a culture of peace, human rights, and sustainable development. He emphasized that interfaith and intercultural dialogue opens avenues for listening, mutual understanding, respect for differences, and appreciation of shared humanity. He also highlighted that JWF’s work as an international civil society organization is rooted in creating spaces where diverse communities can come together not only to discuss challenges, but also to identify shared responsibilities and practical responses.

The session featured two distinguished speakers: David Heiliger, Director of Gracism Global and Pastor of Multicultural Bridge Building at Bridgeway Community Church, and Imam Gazmend Aga, Director of the Northeast Islamic Community Center. Through personal stories, practical frameworks, and reflections from their peacebuilding work, both speakers invited participants to think deeply about how interfaith engagement can help transform divided communities into spaces of trust, dignity, and cooperation.

Dialogue as a Response to Division

Opening his presentation, David Heiliger invited participants to reflect on a central question: “What do you believe is the greatest cause of division in the world?” Participants responded with words and ideas such as politics, inequality, lack of communication, geopolitics, ideology, power, self-interest, historical conflict, and lack of understanding. Mr. Heiliger used these responses to emphasize a shared reality: regardless of how people explain division, most people recognize that division is present in their communities, societies, and relationships.

He encouraged youth leaders to examine how division operates not only at the level of global conflict, but also in everyday human relationships: the creation of “us” and “them,” the distancing of one group from another, and the tendency to view people across religious, cultural, or political divides as outsiders. He reminded participants that when communities remain distant from one another, misunderstanding can easily become fear, and fear can become hostility. Against this background, David Heiliger introduced the concept of bridge leadership. He asked participants to consider whether they are becoming bridge builders or bridge burners, and more importantly, what they are actively doing to strengthen their ability to counter division. He presented four essential qualities of a bridge leader: curiosity, empathy, action-orientation, and intentionality. According to Heiliger, these qualities are necessary for those who wish to move beyond passive concern and become active contributors to peace.

He described curiosity as the willingness to approach others with genuine interest rather than judgment. In interfaith and intercultural dialogue, curiosity is not merely about asking questions; it is about asking with humility, openness, and positive eagerness to understand what exists on the other side of a divide. This kind of curiosity allows young leaders to move beyond stereotypes and encounter others as human beings with histories, hopes, values, and dignity. Mr. Heiliger also emphasized that dialogue must lead to action. He introduced the concept of “gracism” as the extension of positive favor toward others, particularly across lines of color, class, culture, and religion. He explained that bridge-building is not only about having meaningful conversations; it also requires offering concrete gestures of goodwill, protection, service, and solidarity.

One of the most powerful moments of the session came when Heiliger shared the story of a community that experienced religious violence, including the burning of churches. After receiving resources through a justice process, members of the affected Christian community chose not only to rebuild their own churches but also to build a water sanitation plant serving the wider community, including people across the religious divide. This act of service became a visible example of peacebuilding through action. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, both the community that built the plant and members of the wider community, including those previously associated with hostility, were present. Heiliger described this as a “gift of bridge building,” showing that acts of generosity and shared service can create new possibilities for relationship even after deep harm.

Interfaith Dialogue as a Moral and Civic Responsibility

Following Heiliger’s presentation, Imam Gazmend Aga offered reflections on the urgency of peacebuilding in today’s global context. He emphasized that peacebuilding should not be understood as the responsibility of institutions alone, but as a moral obligation for every individual, including students, parents, neighbors, religious leaders, and community members. In his remarks, he underlined that in a world facing armed conflict, displacement, polarization, and fear, peacebuilding is no longer optional; it is necessary for the protection of human dignity and shared rights.

Imam Aga explained that interfaith dialogue is often misunderstood. He clarified that dialogue does not mean abandoning one’s beliefs, weakening one’s religious identity, debating for superiority, or attempting to convert others. Rather, interfaith dialogue is a process of coexistence, dialogue, collaboration, and reconciliation. This framing helped participants understand that authentic dialogue does not require people to erase their differences. Instead, it allows communities to remain rooted in their own traditions while learning how to live peacefully, respectfully, and constructively with others.

He encouraged young leaders to know their own religious and cultural roots deeply, noting that a stronger understanding of one’s own tradition can actually strengthen the motivation for interfaith dialogue. He reflected that every faith tradition, at its core, carries a desire for peace and the moral formation of human beings. Drawing on historical examples, including models of pluralism and coexistence, he invited participants to see interfaith engagement not as a new or abstract concept, but as a practice with deep roots in human history.

A key theme in Imam Aga’s remarks was the importance of breaking isolation. He noted that many people are not exposed to interfaith dialogue or to meaningful diversity in their daily lives. Without such exposure, communities can remain trapped in assumptions, fear, and inherited prejudice. Interfaith initiatives can help remove these barriers by creating opportunities for people to meet one another, share meals, visit each other’s spaces, ask questions, and build trust. He also encouraged youth participants not to underestimate their own power. He reminded them that even small initiatives can help communities learn more about one another, reduce barriers, and contribute to lasting and transformative peace.

From Dialogue to Relationship, Trust, and Collective Action

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A discussion, where youth participants raised thoughtful questions about what comes after interfaith dialogue has been established in a community. One participant asked how dialogue creates real benefit after relationships have already begun. Responding to this question, Imam Aga explained that one of the first outcomes of interfaith dialogue is the formation of genuine friendships. He reflected that people who may have lived in the same town, visited the same public spaces, or passed one another in everyday life can begin to see one another differently after sharing values, culture, and events together. Through dialogue, strangers become neighbors, and neighbors can become allies.

He further explained that interfaith dialogue can help members of each community understand their own faith more deeply. By encountering others, people may gain a clearer sense of their own beliefs, values, and responsibilities. He also noted that interfaith relationships can create protection in times of tension. When a community is attacked or misrepresented, others who have built relationships with them may be more likely to speak up, reject stereotypes, and defend their dignity. He gave the example of Muslims, Christians, Jews, priests, and rabbis supporting one another in local community life and civic processes.

David Heiliger added that the value of interfaith dialogue lies not only in friendship, but also in the way relationships shape decision-making. He emphasized that when people have shared meals, visited one another’s homes, or built real connections, they are less likely to make decisions based on abstract stereotypes. Instead of thinking about “that religious group” as a distant category, leaders begin to see names, faces, families, and lived experiences. Heiliger explained that what comes after dialogue is relationship — and relationship creates deeper consideration when decisions are made. This discussion underscored one of the most important insights of the session: interfaith dialogue is not an endpoint. It is a beginning.

It’s true impact is seen when dialogue becomes relationship, relationship becomes trust, and trust becomes collective action for the common good.

Youth Leadership for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies

Throughout the session, participants were encouraged to see themselves not only as learners, but as emerging peacebuilders and civil society actors. The speakers emphasized that youth have a critical role to play in countering division, challenging prejudice, and creating inclusive spaces in their own communities. The discussion also aligned closely with the broader objectives of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program, which brings together young leaders from diverse countries to explore global challenges, strengthen leadership skills, and develop collaborative initiatives in areas such as education, climate, health, economy, and interfaith dialogue. The session reaffirmed the importance of empowering young people to become active contributors to peace, rather than passive observers of conflict.

By focusing on interfaith and civil society contributions, the session highlighted that peaceful and inclusive societies are not built only through policies or institutions. They are also built through everyday acts of listening, hospitality, moral courage, service, and solidarity. Faith communities and civil society organizations can play a vital role in this process by creating spaces where people can encounter difference without fear, address tensions constructively, and work together across lines of identity.

The session concluded with a call for young leaders to take initiative in their local contexts. Whether through dialogue circles, community service projects, interfaith visits, storytelling campaigns, youth-led discussions, or collaborative civic action, participants were encouraged to translate the lessons of the session into practical steps. As part of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Program 2026, this session reaffirmed the urgent need for a new generation of bridge builders: young people who are curious enough to listen, empathetic enough to care, courageous enough to act, and intentional enough to build peaceful and inclusive societies.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF)`s Global Youth Leadership Programme 2026 continued with its Session 2 under the theme “Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality” on 26 February 2026, Thursday. Convening young leaders from diverse national, academic, and professional backgrounds, the session offered a timely and substantive discussion on one of the most urgent global priorities of our time: advancing the rights, leadership, safety, and full participation of women and girls in all spheres of society.

The session was framed within the wider international context of the upcoming 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), scheduled to take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 20 March 2026. In the opening remarks, participants were reminded that CSW remains the world’s largest annual multilateral platform dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, bringing together civil society, diplomats, policymakers, experts, and advocates to influence laws, policies, funding priorities, and accountability frameworks across countries and generations. Against this backdrop, Session 2 served as an important preparatory space for young leaders to engage with the normative, institutional, and practical dimensions of gender justice.

The programme featured two distinguished speakers whose work reflects complementary yet deeply connected dimensions of women’s empowerment. Jelena Pia Comella, Senior International Consultant and Independent Member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), offered a rigorous overview of the international normative framework underpinning women’s rights and gender equality. Drawing on her extensive experience across diplomacy, civil society, academia, and multilateral advocacy, she situated the discussion within the foundational commitments of the United Nations Charter and the broader human rights system. Her intervention underscored that the promotion of equality, non-discrimination, and women’s rights is not peripheral to the United Nations project, but central to its vision of peace, justice, and international cooperation.

A key focus of her remarks was the significance of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, which calls for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. She highlighted several essential dimensions of this goal, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls, the abolition of harmful practices such as child, early, and forced marriage, the expansion of women’s full and effective participation in leadership and decision-making, and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. In this context, Ms. Pia Comella provided participants with a substantive introduction to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), emphasizing its legal importance, its principles of equality and state obligation, and the role of the CEDAW Committee in monitoring implementation.

Her remarks also drew attention to the structural and cultural dimensions of inequality. In particular, she emphasized that gender equality cannot be achieved without confronting deeply embedded social norms, stereotypes, and hierarchies that continue to define women as inferior or secondary in many contexts. Ms. Pia Comella reflected on the importance of women’s equal participation in public and political life, including in parliaments, diplomacy, academia, civil society, and other spaces of leadership, noting that true transformation requires moving toward substantive equality in decision-making rather than symbolic inclusion.

The second intervention was delivered by Ashley Lauren Elrod, Founder of Visionary Women Productions and The Reclaim Institute, and a nationally recognized survivor advocate and social impact leader. Her contribution brought a powerful survivor-informed and prevention-centered perspective to the discussion. Speaking from lived experience and professional practice, she challenged participants to think beyond visibility and representation alone, and to ask deeper questions about why empowerment so often begins only after harm has already occurred. Her remarks centered on the need to shift from reactive systems to preventive ones, especially in the protection of children and survivors, and to build cultures in which dignity, consent, safety, and agency are affirmed from the earliest stages of life.

Ashley Lauren Elrod emphasized that civil society remains one of the most important sites of social transformation. In her view, civil society is where culture begins to shift before policy catches up; it is where communities, educators, grassroots organizers, survivor advocates, storytellers, and young leaders create the conditions for systemic change. Ms. Elrod encouraged participants to understand themselves not as future leaders waiting for permission, but as present-day actors with the power to shape institutions, narratives, and public consciousness. Her intervention highlighted the importance of survivor-informed leadership, the ethical responsibility of youth in digital and civic spaces, and the need to move beyond performative empowerment toward structural protection and lasting change.

One of the most compelling dimensions of Session 2 was the participant discussion that followed the keynote addresses. Young leaders raised thoughtful and globally grounded questions on issues including the exclusion of girls from education in Afghanistan, the persistence of harmful cultural stereotypes, the challenge of building mutual understanding across different social and cultural contexts, and the importance of engaging men and boys as part of the broader struggle for gender equality. These exchanges demonstrated both the seriousness of the participants’ engagement and the relevance of the theme across different regional and political realities.

The discussion on Afghanistan was particularly poignant. A participant from Afghanistan reflected on the devastating restrictions imposed on girls’ education and asked about practical ways to support girls who feel hopeless after losing access to school, while minimizing the risks they face. In response, the session addressed the gravity of the situation and pointed to the importance of sustained international reporting, legal accountability, solidarity, and long-term advocacy. The exchange reflected how the programme creates space not only for conceptual discussion, but also for urgent reflection on lived realities and real-time global crises affecting women and girls.

Participants also explored how civil society can challenge social and cultural stereotypes that continue to restrict women’s rights and leadership. The responses emphasized the importance of local engagement, community-level organizing, media literacy, truthful storytelling, youth-led campaigns, and the creation of public forums that question normalized patterns of exclusion. The discussion further highlighted that gender equality cannot be sustained without also engaging men and boys in critical reflection, healing, responsibility, and community-based dialogue. In this sense, the session approached gender equality not as a narrow agenda, but as a broader societal project requiring structural change, cultural transformation, and shared responsibility.

Following the keynote discussion, the session transitioned into a workshop segment led by the programme coordinators. Participants were introduced to the next phase of the Global Youth Leadership Programme’s collaborative structure through thematic working groups on human rights, quality education, climate action, interfaith dialogue, global health, and economic development. The working groups were presented as practical spaces for participants to design and implement projects such as webinars, digital campaigns, policy briefs, dialogue sessions, interviews, blog articles, and collaborative research initiatives. This segment reinforced that the programme is not only an educational platform, but also a space for production, partnership, and youth-led action.

Session 2 on “Women`s Empowerment and Gender Equality” offered a rich and multidimensional engagement with women’s empowerment and gender equality. By combining international legal analysis, survivor-centered advocacy, grassroots perspectives, and active youth participation, the session underscored that gender equality must be pursued both as a normative commitment and as a lived, institutional, and cultural reality. It also reaffirmed a core message of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Programme: that meaningful youth leadership requires not only awareness of global issues, but also the courage, discipline, and collaboration to contribute to real change. As the programme continued in the coming months, Session 2 will remain an important marker of the intellectual depth and moral urgency that young leaders bring to global conversations on justice, dignity, and inclusive societies.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) officially launched the 2026 Global Youth Leadership Programme with its Session 1, titled “Welcome Session, Orientation, Opportunities at the UN,” on 29 January 2026. The opening session marked the beginning of a six-month journey designed to equip young leaders with knowledge, networks, and practical opportunities for engagement in the areas of human rights, peacebuilding, sustainable development, and global citizenship.

In the opening remarks, Dr. Mehmet Kilic, President of the JWF, Cemre Ulker, Representative to the UN DGC and Priyanka Chahal, JWF Youth Representative to the UN DGC introduced the organization’s mission and emphasized its longstanding commitment to the promotion of a culture of peace, human rights, and sustainable development. The session also situated the programme within JWF’s broader advocacy and educational efforts, highlighting its work as a New York-based nonprofit associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications. Participants were welcomed into a learning space intended not only for dialogue, but also for sustained mentorship, collaboration, and civic engagement.

This year’s cohort brings together 54 young leaders from 18 countries, reflecting a wide range of academic, professional, and geographic backgrounds. Throughout the session, participants introduced themselves from across regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, with interests spanning law, public policy, international relations, public health, media, technology, education, architecture, and diplomacy. This diversity underscored one of the programme’s central strengths: its ability to convene emerging leaders whose different disciplines and lived experiences enrich collective learning and global dialogue.