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 2025, 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 and the Future of Global Learning,” focuses on how young people contribute to inclusive, accessible, and innovative educational experiences across borders.
Watch this group's recording on YouTube!
Group Youth Coordinator: Nolan Rachocki
Expert: Felix Kwama Yaboah
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Amy Radford-Popp (USA) | Building Global Change Agents as Packaging Leaders |
| Melvin Ochami (Kenya) | Art @ He.Art Using Art and Creativity to Make Learning Accessible to All |
| Calvin Manika (Zimbabwe) | From the Margins to the Frontlines: How Youth Are Disrupting and Reimaging Global Learning |
Watch this group's recording on YouTube!
Youth Group Coordinator: Ladees Al Hafi
Expert: Angela Boldrey and Pradnya Joshi
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Annisa Ramadhani Wijayanto Putri (Indonesia) | Shesterhood: Community-Based Learning Hub to Empower Suburban Woman in Indonesia |
| Laura Tran (USA) | Youth as Mentors for Lifelong Beneficial Learning |
| Olufunmi Olaosun (Nigeria) | Bridging the Gap: Building Inclusive Pathways to Education |
| Michael Diala (Nigeria) | SewageTech Initiative Reimagines Global Learning by Engaging Youth in Sustainable Water Management |
Watch this group's recording on YouTube!
Youth Group Coordinator: Anthony James Franco
Expert: Debra Thornton-Fitzpatrick
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Cedrick Magsumbol (Philippines) | Empowering the Margins: Building Literacy Pathways Through Community-Based Nonprofit Engagement |
| Yenna Park (USA) | The YPocket: How One Invention Led Me to Find and Collaborate with Creators Globally |
| Nma Dhahir (Lebanon) | The SANA Act: Reclaiming Strength and Sovereignty of Kurdish Zhin |
Watch this group's recording on YouTube!
Youth Group Coordinator: Jordan Cleland
Expert: Erin Kunert and Brooke Robinson
| Youth Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Daberechi Ekejiuba (Nigeria) | Global Citizenship Starts at Home: Building Intercultural Understanding through Sustained Civic Action |
| Mantsebeng Suzan Maepe (Lesotho) | Youth Entrepreneurship: Reducing Inequalities One Job at a Time |
| Mulalo Nemataheni (South Africa) | Rewriting our Futures: How ImPower'd Women Book Club is Transforming Communities Through Reading |
| Chloe Francis (USA) | Human First: Uplifting Voices to Foster Competence and Shared Global Peace for All |
Watch this group's recording on YouTube!
Youth Group Coordinator: Marialina Anrolini
Expert: Takisha V. LaShore
| Presenter | Title |
|---|---|
| Ngwa Patrick Shu (Cameroon) | Youth Civic Engagement and Community Involvement |
| Zacharia Mulumba (Democratic Republic of the Congo) | Empowering Communities in Conflict Zones through Health Mobile Applications: A Youth-led Digital Response from Eastern DRC |
| Nita Touch (USA) | All I Can Give You is Education: A Journey of Creating Learning Equity |
Opening & Welcoming Remarks
- Amita Chudgar, Professor and Associate Dean of International Studies in Education, Director of the Office of International Studies in Education
Closing Remarks
- Opal Leeman Bartzis Ed.D., Assistant Dean for Global Learning and Innovation and Executive Director for the Office of Education Abroad
Cohort 3: Announcement
Announcement: 2025 Global Voices Essay Contest-Michigan
Attached to the Soil
Submission Page
