Shark Tank Investor, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Emmy Award-Winning TV Personality, Best-Selling Author
Knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and St. Helen, United Nations Speaker and UN Global Peace Ambassador, Multiple International Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Philanthropist, Hollywood Film Producer
Leader on the James Webb Space Telescope, Senior NASA/DoD Engineer, Forbes-Recognized as One of the Youngest and Most Impactful in Science
Stanford Alumnus, Award-Winning & Super Bowl Film Director, 2x Cancer Survivor, State Champion Athlete
NYT Best-Selling Author, Award-Winning Speaker, and Celebrity Life Coach
Nationally Acclaimed Trial Attorney, Media Commentator, and Advocate for Justice
LSE Master's Graduate, United Nations Consultant, Award-Winning Travel Pioneer
As a Deputy Convenor and Principal Partner of the UN side event, this collaborative initiative between UNEP, UN-Habitat, and civil society partners brought together youth leaders, data specialists, urban development experts, and community advocates to advance science-driven approaches to SDG localization.
As a Deputy Convenor and Principal Partner of the UN plenary session, global leaders, policymakers, technology pioneers, and civil society representatives convened at UN Headquarters in New York. This high-level gathering served as a collaborative platform for advancing digital innovation, youth empowerment, and multilateral solutions to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, plus Washington D.C.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Currently for all students residing outside the United States
Applicants must be 17 years old or younger as of December 31, 2025
(Born on or after January 1, 2008)
Open to students worldwide. Citizenship, residency, or country of origin does not affect eligibility.
We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds — you don’t need to be nationally famous or have perfect grades to be considered. If you’ve shown initiative, creativity, or impact, we want to hear from you. The point is, you made a difference, achieved something, or had an impact.
Prior participation in GYEL programs is not required. All applicants are evaluated equally.
Applications must be submitted in English.
All selected students will be recognized as part of the official GYEL 18 Under 18 Class of 2025.
We offer three application windows. Fees vary depending on when you submit your application:
Applications submitted after October 15, 2025, will not be considered.
We strongly recommend applying early, as the program is highly competitive.
Applicants will be evaluated on the following core criteria:
Applications are reviewed by a committee of GYEL faculty, university leadership, alumni, and distinguished global advisors.
Need-based fee waivers are available to ensure access for all qualified students.
To apply for a waiver, submit the Fee Waiver Request Form before May 10, 2025.
18 under 18 Nationals will be announced after regional awards are completed.
Regionals attract a smaller applicant pool per territory, giving you a better chance of winning than if you enter Nationals directly. A Regional win also flags your dossier as “pre-vetted,” moving it to the front of the queue in the National review portal. While this advantage doesn’t guarantee a National title, it boosts your chances.
The Council of Global Change (CGC) is a preeminent international body that serves as the executive board to the Permanent Observer Office of the International Youth Organization (IYO). This prestigious council operates at the highest levels of global diplomacy, policy, and philanthropy, comprising some of the world’s most influential leaders who are shaping the future across industries and governance.
CGC is an invitation-only body, reserved for individuals whose contributions to global affairs, business, and philanthropy have demonstrated a lasting impact on shaping economies, policies, and humanitarian efforts. Its members include high-ranking diplomats, business magnates, and renowned philanthropists, each with a distinguished track record of influencing world affairs.
Ms. Joanne Jones is a highly accomplished nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience driving transformative initiatives and building impactful programs. She serves as the Executive Director of the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) Program, a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative comprising intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, NGOs, and entities with special consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The program operates within the framework and ecosystem of the United Nations system and under the auspices of its members and organizations.
As a UN Credentialed ECOSOC Delegate, Ms. Jones represents and advocates for youth empowerment and sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters. She actively engages with global leaders to promote initiatives aligned with the UN’s goals, fostering transformative solutions that address critical global challenges.
Prior to her role at GYEL, Ms. Jones served as the Executive Director of The Dream Big Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Rob LoCascio, the CEO of LivePerson—a company recognized as the #1 Most Innovative AI Company in the World by Fast Company. During her tenure, she expanded the Foundation’s flagship program, FeedingNY, which now provides over 10,000 meals annually to families in need, transforming it into a vital resource for underserved communities.
Ms. Jones’s prior roles include serving as Executive Director of the March of Dimes and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as well as her tenure as Director of Advancement at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School.
Mr. Keith Agoada is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to revolutionizing the global agricultural supply chain. As the founder of Producers Trust, he has been instrumental in creating a network that empowers farmers worldwide by providing them with direct access to markets and essential data services. This initiative enhances transparency and ensures fair compensation for producers, thereby fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
His expertise and innovative approaches have garnered recognition from esteemed international organizations. Mr. Agoada has actively collaborated with the United Nations, contributing to high-level discussions on sustainable agriculture and climate action. Notably, he participated in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s learning session on “Artificial Intelligence and Nature Restoration,” where he explored the transformative potential of AI in environmental conservation. He was also a featured speaker at the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) summit at the UN Headquarters, highlighting the role of sustainable agriculture in economic empowerment.
Under Mr. Agoada’s leadership, Producers Trust has expanded its reach to include over 1,000 producer groups across more than 80 countries, impacting the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The organization’s innovative platform, Landscape Relationship Management (LRM™), exemplifies his commitment to leveraging technology to drive sustainable systems change in food and agriculture.
Mr. Agoada’s vision is further strengthened by an esteemed Board of Advisors, whose collective expertise enhances Producers Trust’s capacity for impact and innovation: Susan Rockefeller, Craig Cogut, Adrian Grenier, Dr. Charles Levy, M.D., MBA, Rosa Sangiorgio, and Terry Tamminen.
Dr. Miroslav Polzer stands as a distinguished leader in global sustainable development and climate action, renowned for his innovative approaches and deep-rooted connections with the United Nations (UN) system. As the Secretary General of the International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges (IAAI), Dr. Polzer has been instrumental in pioneering initiatives that bridge digital innovation, youth empowerment, and global governance.
Under Dr. Polzer’s visionary leadership, IAAI has maintained the prestigious and rare status of special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), enabling active participation in UN deliberations and policy formulations. This status underscores IAAI’s commitment to addressing pressing global challenges through collaborative efforts.
Under his leadership, IAAI has been at the forefront of initiatives that integrate blockchain, AI, and digital governance into climate action and sustainable development efforts. He also serves as the Strategic Director of the Climate Chain Coalition (CCC), a UN-backed global network that leverages emerging technologies to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Polzer’s influence extends into European climate diplomacy, where he serves as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, building bridges between the European Commission, the UN, and global multistakeholder initiatives. His academic background in development economics and expertise in international scientific cooperation management make him a sought-after speaker at high-level UN events, where he advocates for systemic solutions to climate change. further exemplifies his dedication to fostering synergies between European climate initiatives and global multistakeholder efforts within the UN framework.
IAAI’s flagship initiative, the Global Challenges Action Empowerment Consortium (GloCha), serves as a global platform that unites various stakeholders, including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector, to collaboratively address sustainable development goals. By leveraging digital technologies, cultural initiatives, and organizational innovations, GloCha empowers youth and local communities to actively participate in climate action and sustainable development.
Dr. Polzer’s contributions have been pivotal in organizing high-impact events, such as the GloCha UN Headquarters Conference 2024, titled “Celebrating the Future with Culture, Youth, Digital Innovation & Localization of SDGs.” This conference, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, convened global leaders, innovators, and youth representatives to explore creative solutions and governance innovations essential for a sustainable future.
His Excellency Ambassador Carlos García is a globally recognized diplomat with over 25 years of distinguished leadership within the United Nations system.
Throughout his distinguished career, Ambassador García has held numerous high-level positions, including Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations, where he represented his country on the global stage for nearly two decades. He served as Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and President of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) during the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, addressing critical issues such as peacekeeping, decolonization, and human rights.
Additionally, Ambassador García has served as Vice-President of the Executive Board of UNDP-UNFPA-UNOPS, where he oversaw key programs addressing global development and humanitarian challenges. He was also Vice-Chairman of the Commission on the Status of Women, where he championed gender equality across three consecutive sessions, and Vice-Chairman of the Commission for Social Development, advancing social justice and inclusive global policies.
Currently, as the Chief Representative of the Organization for Poverty Alleviation and Development (OPAD) to the United Nations, Ambassador García leads an international organization with special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In this role, he spearheads initiatives aimed at combating poverty, mitigating climate change, and advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ambassador García is also a valued partner and strategic member of the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) Program, a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative comprised of intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, NGOs, and organizations with official special consultative status within the United Nations system.
Honorees may choose which benefits they wish to be included in. Participation in each is optional — you can take part in all or only the ones you prefer.
For any questions about the application process, eligibility,
or fee waivers, contact the GYEL 18 Under 18 team at:
The Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program (GYEL) is a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative of intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and organizations with official special consultative status in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It functions within the framework and ecosystem of the United Nations system and operates under the auspices of members and organizations within the United Nations system.
The primary goal of GYEL is to foster excellence and leadership among global youth through a variety of strategic political and social initiatives. The program has focused on preparing individuals to become future leaders who are equipped to address the complex challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.
Each UN Coalition Partner listed on our About page has signed a formal institutional agreement between their UN-affiliated organization or agency (recognized under the United Nations framework) and GYEL. They are not a coalition partner in a personal or unofficial capacity. They represent their organization and agency in an official role as a designated signatory within the UN system.
