An Important note from our executive director, Joanne Jones
As a mother and an educator, I know firsthand the weight of every decision you make for your child’s future.
I’ve walked the same path you’re on—navigating the ever-changing landscape of education, college admissions, and the challenge of preparing my own child for an increasingly competitive world.
Beyond being a parent, for six years, I served as Director of St. John’s, a private school in New York ranked in the top 20% nationwide, with over 1,200 students and 94 teachers—99% of whom hold advanced degrees. My career has been dedicated to ensuring that students receive the strongest academic foundation possible.
During my time at St. John’s, I saw firsthand that while education equips students for the future, parents are focused on something even more immediate—college admissions. Across St. John’s and the tens of thousands of families in the private school system, the central concern has always been how to secure the best university opportunities for their children.
Interacting with thousands of families as both a mother and a school director has given me a pragmatic and results-driven perspective on what it truly takes to shape the next generation of changemakers and leaders at scale. Real change requires not just idealism but practical strategies that empower students to succeed in both the short and long term.
In addition to my work in education, I am a UN Credentialed ECOSOC CS, advocating for youth empowerment and sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters.
At GYEL, alongside our Coalition Partners to the United Nations, I bring both perspectives—that of a mother and an education leader—to ensure that students are not just educated, but fully prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
For over 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in Catholic education, working alongside educators, administrators, students, and families who share a commitment to faith, learning, and community. Throughout this time, I’ve worn many hats—each one deepening my understanding of what it means to lead, serve, and build programs that empower young people for life beyond the classroom. The GYEL Program calls to every fiber of my being in the opportunities we afford our youth today.My educational career began at St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School in Manhasset, NY, where I spent 20 years contributing in a variety of roles that reflected both breadth and depth in educational leadership and student support.
At St. Mary’s, I served as a Guidance Counselor, Chairperson, and Registrar, while also leading our Graduation, International Travel, and Standardized Testing efforts (SAT, ACT, SSD). I coordinated Naviance programs and worked closely with Manhasset School District to manage IEP, IESP, and 504 Accommodation Plans—ensuring that students with unique learning needs received the support they deserved.
A particular point of pride has been supporting students through their college admissions journeys—guiding applicants to prestigious institutions such as Yale, Columbia, Cornell, MIT, NYU, and UC Berkeley. In athletics, I coached Men’s Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Softball, helping to rebuild the soccer program into a top 4 team in the NSCHSAA, with several athletes advancing to Division I and Division II programs.
On the administrative side, I led the integration of the Blackbaud LMS system (myschoolapp) and helped automate grading and scheduling processes, enabling a more streamlined and transparent experience for faculty, students, and their families.
In 2020, I joined St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, NY, as the school’s first-ever Director of Admissions. In this role, I combined strategic thinking with technology to modernize and elevate the enrollment process.
I led the automation of the admissions pipeline, from inquiry through enrollment, and redesigned the school’s website to boost accessibility and engagement. I also launched initiatives such as Touring Tuesdays & Thursdays, Cougar for a Day, and revamped Open House events—each designed to deepen prospective family engagement. I’m particularly proud of having tripled international student enrollment in one academic year by enhancing our SEVIS/DSO protocols and creating a more welcoming and supportive experience for global students.
Additionally, I’ve helped re-establish and strengthen relationships with feeder schools, created Student and Parent Ambassador programs, and collaborated with the guidance team to align admissions criteria with academic success outcomes, narrowing the performance gap between incoming students among our competitors. I helped initiate new academic programs such as the Bloomberg Terminal Program and advised administration in realigning the curriculum to enable 9th graders to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes such as AP World History (Modern) and AP Seminar.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep commitment to faith-based education—one that fosters academic excellence, holistic development, and a sense of purpose in every student. Whether in guidance, admissions, coaching, or Administration, my mission has remained the same: to help young people grow into thoughtful, capable, and compassionate leaders.
As I look ahead, I remain passionate that GYEL is a program of excellence, and I am resolute in guiding our programs to continue to deliver on our core mission: support student success, advancing education, and continuing to develop our youth as leaders in service to others.
But perhaps most importantly, we don’t dictate an agenda.
Unlike many programs that focus on an abstract vision of their own agenda disconnected from what families actually need, GYEL works collaboratively with parents, students, educators, and industry leaders.
Because developing global changemakers requires more than just ambition—it demands an understanding of how real success is built.
A perfect example of this is financial literacy. If we were to poll 100 parents, nearly all would say that personal financial knowledge is important.
But when it comes down to it, parents rarely enroll their children in these programs because they believe there are more pressing matters—such as college readiness, admissions, academics, and extracurriculars—that are more immediate needs.
The truth is that real transformation happens when we work within the system—leveraging what already drives success to create real opportunities.
We don’t have programs for the sake of having programs. We equip students with the tools to thrive now—so they can become the world-changing leaders of the future.
Offering firsthand insights into what matters most in their child’s education, ensuring that GYEL complements their goal of providing both immediate and long-term advantages.
Because university admissions are a critical milestone, we designed GYEL to align with what top institutions truly value in applicants.
By working with today’s innovators, we ensure students develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rapidly advancing world—focusing on AI, IoT, and emerging technologies to prepare them for the future job market.
Consulting with admissions professionals from top global universities to understand what they look for in applicants, what’s often lacking in students, and how GYEL can bridge these gaps to develop high-achieving candidates.
At GYEL, our primary mission is to remove financial barriers for promising students so they can excel and emerge as future leaders. We operate through a sustainable model that empowers students in need while inviting the world’s wealthiest families to contribute their fair share. This approach ensures that all students—regardless of socioeconomic background—can benefit from GYEL’s robust programming, mentorship, and global opportunities.
For families with annual household incomes below $200,000, GYEL provides substantial need-based assistance and full subsidies—a generous threshold established by our UN stakeholders. Our program’s sustainability is maintained through ongoing support from dedicated United Nations stakeholders, international partners, and families among the world’s wealthiest 1% of highest-income families (those earning $200,000+ annually). These wealthy families are asked to contribute their equitable share of administrative costs.
This equitable structure ensures program access while maintaining excellence and sustainability. Through our carefully calibrated approach, we have established a framework that will keep our program available not just for years but for decades to come. Our model helps protect students from losing access to these exceptional opportunities due to global pandemics, external world events, or economic fluctuations, enabling GYEL to continue empowering high-achieving students in fulfilling their leadership potential for generations to come.
Today, GYEL program’s scholarship grants have had a transformative impact on the lives of countless students, enabling them to pursue higher education without the burden of financial constraints.
Many recipients have successfully completed their degrees, secured meaningful employment,
and are now contributing to their communities in significant ways.
Rolling admissions is a flexible admissions process where applicants can submit their applications at any time within a specified period. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, usually within 2-4 weeks. This approach provides greater flexibility for applicants, allowing them to apply when they feel ready, rather than being restricted to a single deadline. Additionally, rolling admissions often result in faster decision processing, as applications are evaluated continuously rather than all at once.
Many universities and programs adopt rolling admissions, including Brown Pre-College (https://precollege.brown.edu/apply) and the University of Pittsburgh (https://admissions.pitt.edu/first-year-student/). While there is no strict deadline, all applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the term start date.
Although our admissions standards remain consistent throughout the application period, the number of available spots does not. As more applicants are offered admission over time, fewer spots remain open. Therefore, submitting your application earlier can improve your chances of acceptance, simply because there is a greater pool of available seats earlier in the cycle.
The program is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications than in previous years—which has placed an increased workload on the administrative team and application review committee. While each application is thoroughly reviewed, please allow 2–4 weeks to receive a decision. For general questions or clarifications, a response may be expected within the next business day.
Each term, we are honored to receive a notable number of applications from talented students worldwide. While our admissions committee carefully evaluates every application based on merit, leadership potential, and alignment with program values, the selection process remains rigorous.
Historically, our acceptance rate hovers around 20%, reflecting the program’s commitment to maintaining small, high-caliber cohorts that foster meaningful mentorship and collaboration. Given the increasing number of applications each year, early submission is encouraged to ensure the strongest possible consideration.
All applications are reviewed holistically, meaning there is no single formula for admission. While academic excellence and extracurricular achievements are important, we also look for individuals who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a passion for leadership, and a drive to make a meaningful impact.
As the program continues to fulfill its mission of developing future global leaders, there has been a consistent increase in applications each year while maintaining a commitment to small cohort sizes that enable meaningful mentorship and collaborative learning. In response to this growth, the application policy has been revised: candidates may now submit one application per calendar year, rather than quarterly submissions as previously allowed. This change ensures fairness and consistency in the admissions process, particularly as the applicant pool expands while program capacity remains constant.
Applications continue to be welcomed in subsequent years. The selection committee membership rotates annually to maintain fresh perspectives, and it is recognized that meaningful personal and professional development often occurs between application cycles. Many qualified candidates are not admitted on their first attempt, and each new submission is evaluated independently, without reference to previous applications.
Yes. It is understood that circumstances may make it necessary for a student to step away. If a participant needs to unenroll at any time during the session, this may be done immediately without issue or prejudice. Additionally, if a family has made administrative cost contributions, all contributions will be returned. If a participant wishes to join the same program or another in the future, a new application would be required. Please note that no verification of GYEL completion will be issued if requested by other institutions.
No. A previous application outcome does not impact any subsequent submission. Each new application is reviewed independently, and there is a maximum of one application per year. Additionally, the decision committee is reconstituted annually, ensuring a fresh evaluation for every applicant.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the session, a formal certificate of completion will be issued, and verification letters will be provided to external institutions. Such verifications have previously been issued for various universities around the world, including:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – United States, Imperial College London – United Kingdom, University of Oxford – United Kingdom, Harvard University – United States, University of Cambridge – United Kingdom, Stanford University – United States, ETH Zurich – Switzerland, National University of Singapore (NUS) – Singapore, UCL – United Kingdom, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – United States, Peking University – China, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore, Cornell University – United States, The University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong SAR, The University of Sydney – Australia, The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) – Australia, Tsinghua University – China
The program is well-versed in international documentation standards and can provide institution-level certification upon request. Please note that a student must be in good standing without any disciplinary concerns in order for participation and achievements to be verified.
The program does not directly facilitate or sponsor internships. However, many past participants have pursued internships or research opportunities with UN-accredited intergovernmental organizations, UN-accredited NGOs, and offices of Ambassadors and Secretaries-General. While there is no influence or guarantee over these positions, it is recognized that many in the UN system are risk-averse and appreciate applicants with a proven record of professionalism. Accordingly, upon request, the program will forward official professionalism history to relevant institutions. No subjective opinions or recommendations are provided, only verification of conduct during the program. This allows prospective hosts to confirm an individual as a recognized individual with a documented track record in the UN system, as well as in other private or governmental institutions.
Students have access to support from their instructors via messaging in our Learning Management System, TalentLMS, and office hours. They can ask questions, seek guidance on assignments, receive feedback on their work, and more.
Yes, students will participate in various interactive activities, including debates, group discussions, case studies, and a final project presentation. These activities are designed to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and enhance practical skills.
Please see the Need-Based Assistance page to determine if a family qualifies for Need-Based Assistance and Educational Grants.
Yes. The program includes components that may qualify for community service credit, and formal service-hour documentation has been provided for various educational and civic awards in the past.
The program is designed for middle school and high school students, typically those in grades 6–12 across the world.
Given that the program has students across the world who attend, it is held virtually.
Yes. In numerous circumstances, members of the program community—including diplomats and Coalition Partners to the UN—may issue letters of recommendation for students who demonstrate strong performance, research contributions, or leadership. These letters are authored without input from the student to maintain authenticity. For security and integrity reasons, recommendation letters are sent directly to the requesting institution and are not released to the student. Please note that simply completing GYEL sessions does not automatically qualify a participant to receive a recommendation letter.
Great question! Given the complexity of the UN’s structure, it can be challenging to understand how each component operates. The United Nations is an immense global organization with over 130,000 personnel, more than 6,000 UN-registered NGOs, and hundreds of departments, making it the world’s most comprehensive international institution—which is precisely why it is so vital to humanity.
The Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL) is a program within the UN system. Established a decade ago, GYEL was formed through a coalition of intergovernmental organizations, diplomats, ambassadors, permanent observers to the UN, NGOs, and organizations holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Rather than functioning as an external program, GYEL operates within the UN system and under the auspices of its Coalition Partners to the UN and diplomats and ambassadors registered and credentialed by both the UN and their respective state departments. For a visual representation of our structure, please see our About page. Each Coalition Partnersto the UN 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 here in a personal or unofficial capacity. They represent their organization and agency in an official role as a designated signatory within the UN system.
GYEL’s primary Coalition Partners to the UN hold official UN credentials and security clearances. These are processed and registered through the United Nations Office and the United States Department of State, or their respective state departments, in adherence to all diplomatic protocols. They include sitting ambassadors, diplomats, and UN ECOSOC-registered special consultants, many of whose core role is to engage in high-level negotiations on behalf of the Permanent Observer, advise Heads of State, senior officials, and counterpart ambassadors on complex diplomatic and strategic matters at venues such as the United Nations, the White House, legislative bodies, and other major diplomatic forums.
Most recently, GYEL served as Deputy Convenor and Principal Partner at a UN plenary session, including the Strategic Innovation for Impact – UN Forum 2025, where it elevated youth voices and fostered cross-sector collaborations in the spirit of multilateral cooperation.
We encourage you to verify all information, including the credentials of diplomats, ambassadors, and UN ECOSOC Coalition Partners to the UN associated with GYEL, by consulting the appropriate authorities at the United Nations Headquarters or through official State Department channels.
Rolling admissions is a flexible admissions process where applicants can submit their applications at any time within a specified period. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, usually within 2-4 weeks. This approach provides greater flexibility for applicants, allowing them to apply when they feel ready, rather than being restricted to a single deadline. Additionally, rolling admissions often result in faster decision processing, as applications are evaluated continuously rather than all at once.
Many universities and programs adopt rolling admissions, including Brown Pre-College (https://precollege.brown.edu/apply) and the University of Pittsburgh (https://admissions.pitt.edu/first-year-student/). While there is no strict deadline, all applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the term start date.
Although our admissions standards remain consistent throughout the application period, the number of available spots does not. As more applicants are offered admission over time, fewer spots remain open. Therefore, submitting your application earlier can improve your chances of acceptance, simply because there is a greater pool of available seats earlier in the cycle.
The program is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications than in previous years—which has placed an increased workload on the administrative team and application review committee. While each application is thoroughly reviewed, please allow 2–4 weeks to receive a decision. For general questions or clarifications, a response may be expected within the next business day.
Each term, we are honored to receive a notable number of applications from talented students worldwide. While our admissions committee carefully evaluates every application based on merit, leadership potential, and alignment with program values, the selection process remains rigorous.
Historically, our acceptance rate hovers around 20%, reflecting the program’s commitment to maintaining small, high-caliber cohorts that foster meaningful mentorship and collaboration. Given the increasing number of applications each year, early submission is encouraged to ensure the strongest possible consideration.
All applications are reviewed holistically, meaning there is no single formula for admission. While academic excellence and extracurricular achievements are important, we also look for individuals who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a passion for leadership, and a drive to make a meaningful impact.
As the program continues to fulfill its mission of developing future global leaders, there has been a consistent increase in applications each year while maintaining a commitment to small cohort sizes that enable meaningful mentorship and collaborative learning. In response to this growth, the application policy has been revised: candidates may now submit one application per calendar year, rather than quarterly submissions as previously allowed. This change ensures fairness and consistency in the admissions process, particularly as the applicant pool expands while program capacity remains constant.
Applications continue to be welcomed in subsequent years. The selection committee membership rotates annually to maintain fresh perspectives, and it is recognized that meaningful personal and professional development often occurs between application cycles. Many qualified candidates are not admitted on their first attempt, and each new submission is evaluated independently, without reference to previous applications.
Yes. It is understood that circumstances may make it necessary for a student to step away. If a participant needs to unenroll at any time during the session, this may be done immediately without issue or prejudice. Additionally, if a family has made administrative cost contributions, all contributions will be returned. If a participant wishes to join the same program or another in the future, a new application would be required. Please note that no verification of GYEL completion will be issued if requested by other institutions.
No. A previous application outcome does not impact any subsequent submission. Each new application is reviewed independently, and there is a maximum of one application per year. Additionally, the decision committee is reconstituted annually, ensuring a fresh evaluation for every applicant.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the session, a formal certificate of completion will be issued, and verification letters will be provided to external institutions. Such verifications have previously been issued for various universities around the world, including:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – United States, Imperial College London – United Kingdom, University of Oxford – United Kingdom, Harvard University – United States, University of Cambridge – United Kingdom, Stanford University – United States, ETH Zurich – Switzerland, National University of Singapore (NUS) – Singapore, UCL – United Kingdom, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – United States, Peking University – China, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore, Cornell University – United States, The University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong SAR, The University of Sydney – Australia, The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) – Australia, Tsinghua University – China
The program is well-versed in international documentation standards and can provide institution-level certification upon request. Please note that a student must be in good standing without any disciplinary concerns in order for participation and achievements to be verified.
The program does not directly facilitate or sponsor internships. However, many past participants have pursued internships or research opportunities with UN-accredited intergovernmental organizations, UN-accredited NGOs, and offices of Ambassadors and Secretaries-General. While there is no influence or guarantee over these positions, it is recognized that many in the UN system are risk-averse and appreciate applicants with a proven record of professionalism. Accordingly, upon request, the program will forward official professionalism history to relevant institutions. No subjective opinions or recommendations are provided, only verification of conduct during the program. This allows prospective hosts to confirm an individual as a recognized individual with a documented track record in the UN system, as well as in other private or governmental institutions.
Students have access to support from their instructors via messaging in our Learning Management System, TalentLMS, and office hours. They can ask questions, seek guidance on assignments, receive feedback on their work, and more.
Yes, students will participate in various interactive activities, including debates, group discussions, case studies, and a final project presentation. These activities are designed to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and enhance practical skills.
Please see the Need-Based Assistance page to determine if a family qualifies for Need-Based Assistance and Educational Grants.
Yes. The program includes components that may qualify for community service credit, and formal service-hour documentation has been provided for various educational and civic awards in the past.
The program is designed for middle school and high school students, typically those in grades 6–12 across the world.
Given that the program has students across the world who attend, it is held virtually.
Yes. In numerous circumstances, members of the program community—including diplomats and Coalition Partners to the UN—may issue letters of recommendation for students who demonstrate strong performance, research contributions, or leadership. These letters are authored without input from the student to maintain authenticity. For security and integrity reasons, recommendation letters are sent directly to the requesting institution and are not released to the student. Please note that simply completing GYEL sessions does not automatically qualify a participant to receive a recommendation letter.
Great question! Given the complexity of the UN’s structure, it can be challenging to understand how each component operates. The United Nations is an immense global organization with over 130,000 personnel, more than 6,000 UN-registered NGOs, and hundreds of departments, making it the world’s most comprehensive international institution—which is precisely why it is so vital to humanity.
The Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL) is a program within the UN system. Established a decade ago, GYEL was formed through a coalition of intergovernmental organizations, diplomats, ambassadors, permanent observers to the UN, NGOs, and organizations holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Rather than functioning as an external program, GYEL operates within the UN system and under the auspices of its Coalition Partners to the UN and diplomats and ambassadors registered and credentialed by both the UN and their respective state departments. For a visual representation of our structure, please see our About page. Each Coalition Partnersto the UN 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 here in a personal or unofficial capacity. They represent their organization and agency in an official role as a designated signatory within the UN system.
GYEL’s primary Coalition Partners to the UN hold official UN credentials and security clearances. These are processed and registered through the United Nations Office and the United States Department of State, or their respective state departments, in adherence to all diplomatic protocols. They include sitting ambassadors, diplomats, and UN ECOSOC-registered special consultants, many of whose core role is to engage in high-level negotiations on behalf of the Permanent Observer, advise Heads of State, senior officials, and counterpart ambassadors on complex diplomatic and strategic matters at venues such as the United Nations, the White House, legislative bodies, and other major diplomatic forums.
Most recently, GYEL served as Deputy Convenor and Principal Partner at a UN plenary session, including the Strategic Innovation for Impact – UN Forum 2025, where it elevated youth voices and fostered cross-sector collaborations in the spirit of multilateral cooperation.
We encourage you to verify all information, including the credentials of diplomats, ambassadors, and UN ECOSOC Coalition Partners to the UN associated with GYEL, by consulting the appropriate authorities at the United Nations Headquarters or through official State Department channels.
In a recent survey of students and parents who completed a full track of the Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL), we asked what they found most valuable about their experience. Here’s what they shared:
At GYEL, we believe in your potential to lead, grow, and make a difference.
Hear from past students who’ve walked this path — and see how GYEL helped shape their journey.
Now understand how much our actions matter. I have increased my sustainability and climate education through the GYEL program, shaping my habits and chocies I make today! I feel extremely connected to Climate Action as a whole, and if I could say something to the UN tomorrow. I'd say this: What are we so afraid of, that we keep on pushing off something as simple as keep our world safe?
Thank you so much for these past few months Ms. Hannah! These sessions have been amazing! I'm going to miss your sessions the next few Sundays! I cannot thank you for everything enough! - Aditi Padakanti
I now understand how much our actions matter. I have increased my sustainabiliy and climate education through the GYEL program, shaping my habits and chocies I make today! I feel extremely connected to Climate Action as a whole, and if I could say something to the UN tomorrow. I'd say this: What are we so afraid of, that we keep on pushing off something as simple as keeping our world healthy and safe? Ultimately, my habits have become more environmentally friendly, and I am more cautious about things like overconsumption and plastic use!
Dear Future GYEL Students,
One thing I see differently is health inequality, I used to think it was mostly about hospitals or doctors, but it's mostly tied to education, income, geography and systemic injustice. A thing I did because of this course was setting up an initiative at my school to connect volunteer opportunities to people.
My biggest “aha” moment during this course was when I began to understand how much this 17 issues are affecting the world and that we, as students can do things to help change the outcomes. One global problem I now see differently is how hard it is for people to find employment opportunities because of their personal backgrounds.
On the GYEL course, you should expect fun debates and thinking processes that help you become a better leader. One piece of advice I can give is don't be afraid to speak, constructive criticism is what awaits. I would urge the future student to focus on the SDG's and develop events and their desired SDG with their community.
If you want to join GYEL it is a commitment, but you should also enjoy it. The weekly meetings are fun and engaging. Use office hours less for help and more for enrichment; going above and beyond. My main advice to you, is to not procrastinate. Do NOT wait until 2 days before the homework deadline; do it ahead of time, and refine it a little closer to the deadline; 90% of it should be done by the week before. I would say as far as change-making; you can do anything. No matter what it is; even the smallest thing, it will have a ripple effect.
"I can" and "I will" are the two most powerful phrases one can utter or simply think. In GYEL, you learn to use those phrases to motivate not only yourself but your peers as well to create change in the world. From webinar lectures, to listening to literal legends like Kevin O'Leary during a guest speaker session to exciting and inspiring office hours, GYEL will transform you in one way or another(and you might not even notice it till later on)! Keep your head up and out your heart and hands into what you do even if it's just a homework assignment because that small presentation might be the root of a future dream for you. There are many change making missions and projects, but the most important one is to help. You could be helping one person or a whole country, just help because the world won't get any better if you don't.
You may be wondering what to expect, and what stands before you. Well, I can tell you immediately that the next 16 weeks will transform you, and will help you develop skill such as public speaking, and business pitching for starters. However, the program will only have as much of an impact on you, as your are willing to put energy into it. I would strongly advise your to give every assignment your all, and try to participate as much as you can in the group discussions. Treat this as if it is another class you are having at school. Only by dedicated as much time as you can will you gain the most out of this program. When I went through this program, I was incredibly fascinated in healthcare and SDG 3. I quickly learnt that access to healthcare is the main issue that surrounds this field. Although innovation is important, it is useless if it isn’t distributed to the right people. I would strongly encourage you to get involved in healthcare, and utilizing relationships and outreach to help distribute healthcare to countries that need them. Of course, you might not be as interested in SDG 3, but no matter what SDG you choose, outreach is still important.
Culture mapping and Radical candor absolutely blew my mind as it was something new that I did know about. The SDG's that connect to me emotionally are SDG 13, 14, and 15. However I am most passionate about working on SDG 7. I want to say thank you to the UN and Ms. Hannah for helping me become a leader and teach me things that makes me a better person today.
Thank you so much Ms.Hannah! I appreciate all that you have taught us and I have learned so much!! - Shradha Goel
Thank you so much for being our teacher Hannah! I’m really lucky that I got to have this experience! - Anahadh Multani
Before doing this course, I always thought that one problem had one solution, but learning about SDGs and how many overlaps there are, one simple solution can create a long lasting impact. I am so happy that GYEL has allowed me to grow and learn more about our world and the issues and solutions that we can create to make the world a better place and impact billions of lives.
I learnt how to put emotion into a speech so that its more effective. I am now aware of how healthcare isn't solely about innovatiion, but also about access. A global problem I see differently now is the importance of education and how there is a butterfly effect from the first group that is uneducated to perpetuate it.
You should expect a lot from GYEL! You will learn so many new things that will allow for you to make a long lasting impact in the world and your community.
I would advise you to participate and attend office hours because you will be able to engage with other students and the instructors, allowing for you to learn more and become more involved.
A change making mission that you should join should be based on whichever SDG you feel most connected to and most passionate about to explore and learn more about and create an impact.
So, a little birdy told me that you are going to embark on your GYEL journey! It's a transformative and exciting one, so be prepared, as a student calling from the finish line!
There are lots of things you can expect. From current events to looking at past leaders, you will learn so much from this program. For me, I've connected more with my personal habits and sustainability! And for you, that might be something wildly different. But I can be certain of one thing: you will have grown and developed a bit as a person.
Some advice I would give to you is that while the sessions may feel long sometimes, being fully engaged will only help you make real change in the world. Think of sitting through the session as a gateway, or stepping stone, to a greater ability to make real change.
There are many change-making missions out in the world already. My ask to you is that you join one of them. Something that speaks to you, and something that you feel the most passionate about. Because only within passion comes grit and determination. These key factors will be the only things propelling you forward during times of struggle, especially as many of the SDGs goals might not be met in the upcoming timeframe. Regardless, passion matters and will be the gateway to change.
You've got a long journey ahead of you, which will definitely fly by! But its the start to something greater. Good luck, and you've got this!
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here, and ready to make change in our world! Really- it’s great that
you’re here! But first, here are a few things you should expect in this GYEL program!
First, you’re going to learn a lot about leadership skills such as learning how to give and take good
feedback, learning how to give a good speech, learning how to manage your time wisely, and much, much more! So be sure to take notes on these, because you will be needing them for assignments, AND the future!
To get the most out of this program, be sure to listen very carefully and participate up to the best of
your ability in order not to miss any key details. It’s also important to implement these new skills
into your everyday life in order to be a good leader all the time.
I also heavily recommend applying for change-making programs as well to make a bigger impact,
and to put your leadership skills to use.
And just remember, you are a valuable asset to make this world a better place! We believe in you!
Hi Hannah! In the past 16 weeks, I have loved each session and all the lessons, hearing your stories along with others experiences. Because of this, I learned lots from it, so I just wanted to thank you for these past months and the experiences we shared every Sunday! - Arvin Kodak
Hi Hannah,
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your support throughout GYEL. From our very entertaining office hours (the National Day Café is still going strong!) to the legendary burger debates during webinars, Part 1 has been such a fun and meaningful experience.
I’ve genuinely enjoyed every moment—especially learning to articulate my ideas (even with just one minute of prep!), deepening my understanding of the UN and the SDGs, and exploring my passions for SDG 11 and 5.
I’m so excited for Part 2 and can’t wait to keep seeing your face on Zoom every weekend—yay!
No problem too big for a burger mindset,
Athira Apsangi
One global problem I see differently is poverty, I believed that it could be solved and after researching it and its effects, I learned that it is a global issue and someone is going to be in that state while others aren’t. One action I took because of this course is helping my community through the GYEL ambassador program.
I also really enjoyed working with different business pitches because I feel I've learned so much from that. It also shows me how whatever solution we have for global problems, putting our ideas into action with confidence is how we can bring change. I have realized how interconnected the SDGs are to each other and any action taken towards one of them can impact all of them!
Right now, you might be both excited and nervous to start the GYEL program. You might have all these ideas floating around your head with stars in your eyes and an endless motivation. I'm here to tell you that all that is never going to fade in this program, and, in fact, it will most likely grow.
The GYEL Program is more of a webinar style program where we can discuss about the activities. Each session is three hours long, but it won't feel that long because the sessions are just packed to the brim with learning and activities. My advice to you is to just participate, or if you are a bit soft-spoken and shy (such as myself), listen. The activities they give us and the knowledge you gain through this program is unique and something that is very valuable and hard to find. Even though I didn't participate in discussions out loud as much as others, l've still learned through just listening. Through this program, I've been inspired to create change in the world, tackling one problem I found at a time. I love research, so I think that's why I found many parallels between research and this program: With these GYEL webinars and research homework, you are exposed to a lot of different problems, and one of them will stick with you. It will be something you realize you are very passionate about, so my advice is to see how you can contribute to solving this problem. Another thing you will learn is that you aren't too young to make a change; join with others to create change and find ways to create change yourself. The opportunities are endless as you will soon learn. The biggest "aha" moment I had during this course was when, almost every session Ms. Hannah would start us off talking about how we can make change and become global leaders through our participation in this course. This showed me that even though the SDGs are addressing huge and complex problems, we can actually be a part of the process to help achieve them. As high school students, I feel like we feel we can't make major change because of our age and inexperience, but we can because we can take these complex and challenging problems and break them down, taking them step by step. With the tools we've learned throughout this course, like Systems Thinking and learning how to define the problem, we can actually break down these problems to find solutions. The world is filled with complex and interconnected problems that need simple and elegant solutions. Through this course, I realized that a lot of people, myself included in the beginning, don't know a lot about the problems the SDGs were trying to solve beyond the surface level. We might know about pollution and gender inequality and poverty and world hunger, but we don't know the extent to which they actually affect the quality of life of millions of people. I am now trying to build a nonprofit, starting with my community and trying to expand its reach, that is all about educating the public. I am in the planning phase right now, and I want to create a branch focused on the SDGs and educating the public (from elementary/ preschool students to high schoolers) about the actual impact of these issues.
Dear Future Student, I know you aspire to contribute to causes that shape the world, and at times, your age may lead others to underestimate you. This can be discouraging, but instead of letting doubt hold you back, use it as fuel for growth.
Many fear failure, especially as they navigate new challenges. Yet failure is not a setback—it is a teacher. By allowing yourself to make mistakes, you gain invaluable lessons that will guide your future decisions. The process of learning is just as important as the impact you seek to make. When you believe in yourself, your contributions will be powerful and far-reaching.
Rather than dwelling on others' opinions of your ability, focus on your own belief in what you are capable of. Trust yourself, embrace the journey, and step boldly into the changemaking space—you have the potential to shape the future.
I look forward to seeing all that you accomplish.