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NEW DELHI – Over thirty young changemakers from around the world have converged in New Delhi this week for the 11th Youth Leadership Workshop on Global Citizenship Education (GCED).

A four-day Youth Leaders Workshop (YLW) brought together promising young leaders to explore the intersection of Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Hosted by UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP), this comprehensive programme ran from April 14-17, 2025, in India.

Since 2015, the Workshop has engaged over 400 young leaders worldwide, fostering a community of changemakers. This year’s workshop will bring together 40 youth leaders to explore how SEL and GCED can inspire collective action for peace and sustainability. Through discussions, activities, and networking, participants will deepen their understanding of how SEL and GCED address global challenges and promote peace. This journey of empowerment invites youth to raise their voices as peacebuilders, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities and beyond.

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"Social-emotional learning provides young people with the foundational skills needed to become effective global citizens. This workshop offers a crucial platform for youth to develop both the emotional intelligence and global perspective required to address our world's most pressing challenges," said Prof Obijiofor Aginam, Director, UNESCO MGIEP.

Throughout the workshop, regular reflection periods allowed participants to process their learning experiences, while carefully designed breaks, including a guided forest walk, offered opportunities for informal connections. Feedback sessions concluded each day, ensuring continuous improvement of the program.

This holistic approach to youth leadership development blended theoretical understanding with practical skills, combining UNESCO's expertise in global citizenship education with cutting-edge social-emotional learning techniques. By bringing together these complementary frameworks, the workshop equipped youth leaders with the tools needed to navigate personal challenges while fostering positive change in their communities and beyond.

"From rising temperatures and escalating conflicts to growing inequality and a deepening mental health crisis, we need the energy and innovative solutions of young people more than ever. Empowering youth with the tools to navigate both personal and global challenges is essential to achieving the SDGs. This workshop represents the kind of empowering approach to education we need for peaceful, inclusive societies," said Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India.

URL: https://mgiep.unesco.org/article/unesco-institutes-join-forces-to-support-thirty-youth-leaders-from-oda-countries-to-tackle-global-challenges