In honor of International Youth Day, an observance recognized by The United Nations and celebrated annually on August 12, the Innovation Collaboratory allows global youth to expand their networks, build strategic partnerships, discuss ways to achieve success, and share their positive contributions to their communities and nations.
In celebration of International Youth Day 2026, and in partnership with MSU’s University Outreach and Engagement (UOE), the Center for Global Learning and Innovation invites you to join us virtually for the Innovation Collaboratory, a vibrant platform designed to elevate youth voices, encourage intercultural collaboration, and explore how young people are shaping the future of global learning.
This year’s theme, “Youth Voices, Community Futures” highlights the critical role young people play in shaping more inclusive, resilient, and connected communities. Through storytelling, collaborative discussion, and knowledge-sharing, participants will explore how youth-led engagement can strengthen communities, promote intercultural understanding, and inspire sustainable local and global impact.
Amplifying Youth Voices
The celebration opened with a special video featuring five Michigan State University students serving as youth coordinators for the event. Through their reflections and messages, the students shared their perspectives on youth leadership and the future they envision for their communities. The opening set the tone for the day’s central message: young people are not simply future leaders—they are already creating solutions, strengthening communities, and shaping the world around them.
Dr. Kwesi Brookins, Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement and Professor of Ecological-Community Psychology at Michigan State University, delivered the opening remarks. Drawing on his experience in community engagement, inclusive excellence, and university-community partnerships, Dr. Brookins encouraged participants to think deeply about the connections between youth leadership, community engagement, and meaningful social impact.
The event featured inspiring stories across five panels of youth presenters representing countries including the United States, India, Australia, Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond. Youth presenters shared how they are addressing real-world challenges through innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and food security, digital innovation, youth advocacy, cultural exchange, accessibility, mentorship, and community empowerment. Experts and youth coordinators helped facilitate conversations that connected ideas across borders and highlighted the creativity, leadership, and impact of youth-driven change.
Watch this panel's recording on YouTube!
Group Coordinator: Kunti Adhikari
Expert: Volodymyr V. Tarabara, Director, Center for European and Eurasian Studies, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Mengyan Ma (USA) | Understanding Adolescents' Beliefs, Information-Seeking Behaviors, and Perceived Barriers to Avoid THC-Infused Beverages: A Qualitative Interview Study |
| Mutka Sharma (India) | Small Events, Big Impact: A Youth-Led Approach to Postdoc Community Building |
| Cheryl Kickett-Tucker (Australia) | Moombaki Koortaboodja: Honoring Aboriginal Cultural Learning Journeys |
| Stacey Forsyth (USA) | Build a better Book: Youth Engineering Design for a More Accessible World |
Watch this panel's recording on YouTube!
Youth Coordinator: Marie Shibata
Expert: Leo C. Zulu, Director, African Studies Center, Professor, Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Natasha Mulenga (Zambia) | From Dumpsite to Hope: How Youth Are Transforming Communities Through Sustainable Gardening |
| Christopher Omowa (Nigeria) | Fusing Futures: How Art, Technology, and Youth Entrepreneurship Are Rebuilding Communities from the Inside Out. |
| Peter Jaeger (USA) | High School Research Internships - Providing Opportunities, Removing Barriers, Shaping Futures |
Watch this panel's recording on YouTube!
Youth Coordinator: Carolina Azevedo
Expert: Debra Thornton-Fitzpatrick, Associate Director for Retention and Transitions, University Advising
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Emmanuel Chinoso Okpalaku (Nigeria) | From Campus to Community: How Youth Advocacy and Digital Innovation Are Redefining Social Work Leadership |
| Janelle Yao (USA) | Leaders for Youth Sports: Empowering Every Child Through the Power of Play |
| Ngwantshabu Bridget Mkhonodo (South Africa) | Organic Vegetable Production: Empowering Youth Farmers through Business Management and Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices Training |
Watch this panel's recording on YouTube!
Youth Coordinator: Betül Demiray Sandıraz
Expert: Takisha V. LaShore, MSW Program Director, College of Social Science
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Priyanka Kothari (USA) | From My History to Our History: Centering Student Experiences for Global Learning |
| Emmanuela Ezeakacha (Nigeria) | From Individual Contributor to Community Builder: How Mentorship Multiplies Youth Impact |
| Tracy Vongai Mapfumo (USA) | From Seed to Shelf, From Local to Global: Innovation for Community Impact through Social Entrepreneurship |
| Calvin Manika (Zimbabwe) | Creating a Transitional Ubuntu Corridor from Hwange, Zimbabwe to Flint, United States - the Impact of Cultural Exchange Dialogues |
Watch this panel's recording on YouTube!
Youth Coordinator: Ethan Tyaba Kigundu
Expert: Brooke Hutchful, Program Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies
Mohammad Uzair Rahil, Research Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Peserverance Muzeya (Zimbabwe) | From Food Loss to Food Security: How a Young Zimbabwean Woman Built a Solar-Powered Enterprise That Feeds Communities, Pays Farmers Fairly, and Prevents Climate Emissions Simultaneously |
| David Aondona Kor (Nigeria) | From Waste to Value: How Youth-Led Innovation Is Strengthening Food Security and Sustainable Communities in Nigeria |
| Martin Salanda (Zambia) | From Fertilizer to Food Sovereignty: Reclaiming Zambia's FISP Through Digital Accountability and Youth-Led Governance Innovation |
| Toluwani Kushimo (Nigeria) | Voices That Matter: Engaging Teenage Girls in Underserved Communities to Claim Their Rights and End Gender-Based Violence |
Building Community Through Connection
A highlight of the program was “MindStorm: Igniting Youth Creativity,” an interactive session that invited participants to collaborate, think creatively, and reflect on the qualities of youth leadership in their communities. As part of the activity, participants responded to the question, “What is ONE word to describe the youth leaders in your community?” Their responses were brought together into a collective word collage, visually capturing the diverse perspectives and shared values that characterize youth leadership across communities.
Cohort 4 updates
Attached to the Soil
