Young agents of change who promote health education and equity will play a key role in mobilizing communities around the world and restoring progress towards the Global Goals.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Recently announced three new Young Leaders to join Generation 17It is an initiative in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support young agents of change to achieve the 17 Global Goals1. The arrival of these three young leaders will help raise awareness of key global challenges and the solutions needed for a more prosperous future through 2030.
“We are delighted to welcome these three innovative leaders to the Galaxy and Generation17 community,” said TM Roh, President and Director of Mobile eXperience (MX) at Samsung Electronics. “These young leaders will inspire the Galaxy community to make positive changes in their daily lives through their dedication to harnessing technology and unlocking the potential for a fairer future. Each embodies the creativity and innovation we need to engage more people and help achieve the Global Goals.”
New Young Leaders
For the first time, Samsung and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held an open call that attracted thousands of enthusiastic youth from all over the world who are interested in being part of Generation17. This new group of 17 generation young leaders, selected from a pool of applicants, will bring new horizons to the initiative, while their projects will offer innovative solutions in the areas of education, skills, training and health equity.
Zubair Junjunia (United Kingdom): Social Entrepreneur and Founder of ZNotes, a global education platform providing fair and equal access to education, affecting four million students worldwide.
My inspiration to build an education platform came after seeing the inequality in education. We must empower youth to create an equal education system, which is why I am excited to be part of Generation17 and raise awareness of global challenges in education, inspiring young people to stand up for the causes they believe in.”
Priscilla Ivey Johnson (Nigeria)An activist for gender equality, she works to address stigmas around women’s health through Xari Africa, a women-led organization that provides access to reproductive and sexual health resources for girls.
“Sexual and reproductive health is everyone’s business. This fight, this passion, is personal. So I am delighted to be selected as a member of Generation17, where I work in partnership with Samsung and UNDP to amplify my voice and expand access to health education for women around the world.”
Mok Yi Jun (Singapore): a leader in education and co-founder of Advisory Singapore, a youth-led charity dedicated to empowering young people of all backgrounds to make informed choices about career and education.
“All people, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, deserve to have the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations. Generation17 is the perfect platform to allow more young people like me to empower individuals to take control of their educational and professional journey.”
Expanding youth leadership on the global stage
Samsung and the United Nations Development Program launched Generation17 in October 2020, aiming to amplify the voices and impact of youth work, and accelerate progress toward the Global Goals. Since launch, Samsung and the United Nations Development Program have selected 17 young leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America who are working on issues related to the 17 Global Goals.
Together, Samsung and UNDP offer mentorship to young leaders and the latest Samsung Galaxy technology, as well as access to agenda-setting events and other opportunities to expand your platforms and network with peers and global leaders across industries. The 17 generation of young leaders participated in a variety of events, including Samsung Unpacked, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, Stockholm +50, and the United Nations General Assembly.
“To achieve the Global Goals, we need real action from young people who are at the forefront of today’s most pressing issues, to rebuild progress and support each Goal,” said Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. “Through our partnership with Samsung, we aim to fuel the growth of these young leaders while also addressing core issues such as the climate crisis and human rights, with the goal of building a more resilient society.”
Three of the 17 Generation Leaders at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity
Generation 17 is built on Samsung and the United Nations Development Program’s commitment to using technology as a force for good. The two organizations first teamed up in 2019 to create the app Samsung global goals, an education and grants mobile app that informs people about the Global Goals and encourages them to take action using their Galaxy devices. Since then, the app has been installed on nearly 300 million Galaxy devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. The Galaxy Community has generated more than US$10 million to support UNDP’s work to enhance environmental and social resilience around the world.
1 The 17 global goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted by all member states of the United Nations in 2015 and provide a blueprint for ending poverty, protecting the environment, reducing economic inequality and ensuring peace and justice for all. .
About the United Nations Development Program
The United Nations Development Program is the leading United Nations organization dedicated to combating the injustices of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our extensive network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help countries build integrated and lasting solutions for people and planet. www.undp.org
About generation 17
Generation17 is an initiative launched by Samsung in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that amplifies the voices of young leaders who are changing the world and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or “Global Goals.” Samsung and the United Nations Development Program provide mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for young leaders as they advance their careers. https://www.undp.org/generation17
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