An In-Depth Look at the Youth Delegate Program
In an ever-changing world where global challenges continue to escalate, the need for empowered, visionary leaders has never been more critical.
UNITE 2030’s Youth Delegate Program (YDP) was created to meet this need, offering early-stage Changemakers a comprehensive, non-academic curriculum designed to unlock their full potential.
This transformative leadership development program goes beyond conventional education, providing participants with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to drive impactful change.
Through three distinct phases—1) Self-Awareness & Leadership, 2) Influence & Collaboration, and 3) Action & Problem-Solving—the Youth Delegate Program cultivates a new generation of leaders who are equipped to turn bold ideas into tangible solutions.
Let’s take a closer look at what each phase entails and why it matters for the emerging Changemakers of today.
Phase 1: Self-Awareness & Leadership
The journey begins with a deep dive into self-awareness and leadership, laying the groundwork for personal growth and effective Changemaking. This phase is crucial as it enables participants to explore their unique strengths, values, and leadership styles, fostering a strong sense of purpose and confidence.
Week 1: Orientation Week
The first week of the Youth Delegate Program begins with Orientation, where Delegates meet each day for a mix of social activities, games, and workshops to get all Delegates acquainted with UNITE 2030, our community, and the Delegate Community. All Delegates will be trained in our methodology, our approaches, and are go through a cultural sensitivity workshop to ensure they are well-equipped for the 12 weeks ahead.
Week 2: Who Are You? Purpose & Identity in Changemaker Leadership
The second week of YDP kicks off with a profound exploration of identity and purpose. Delegates engage in a workshop titled "Finding Your Shape," where they delve into their Strengths, Heart, Aptitudes, Personality, and Experiences. This process, guided by the concept of a "Shape Map," helps participants create a personal statement of purpose. This statement serves as a compass, guiding their leadership journey and ensuring they stay aligned with their core values and passions.
In a world where external pressures often dictate our actions, having a strong sense of self-awareness is essential. It empowers leaders to make decisions that are true to their values, rather than succumbing to societal expectations or transient trends. By understanding who they are and what they stand for, Changemakers can lead with authenticity and purpose, which are key ingredients for lasting impact.
Week 3: Finding Your Personal Vision, Mission, and Values
Building on the foundation laid in Week 2, Week 3 focuses on helping Delegates develop a clear vision for the future, rooted in their mission and values. This week is all about introspection and alignment. Delegates are encouraged to reflect deeply on their core values, assessing how well they live by these values in their daily lives, actions, and decision-making. They then craft a personal vision statement that articulates the impact they want to create in the world.
Vision and values are the bedrock of effective leadership. They provide direction and motivation, ensuring that leaders remain focused on their goals even in the face of adversity. By developing a clear vision and understanding their values, delegates are better equipped to navigate the complexities of Changemaking, making decisions that are both strategic and ethically sound.
Week 4: Servant Leadership as a Pathway to a Sustainable Future
Week 4 introduces delegates to the concept of servant leadership, a leadership philosophy that emphasizes the well-being of others as the primary goal of leadership. Delegates learn to distinguish between self-serving leaders, who prioritize their own interests, and servant leaders, who prioritize the needs of their teams and communities. This week’s workshop draws on the theory of Robert K. Greenleaf, the pioneer of servant leadership, and challenges participants to reflect on how they can incorporate these principles into their own leadership styles.
In a world increasingly focused on individual success and competition, servant leadership offers a refreshing and necessary alternative. By putting the needs of others first, servant leaders foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect—elements that are crucial for sustainable, long-term change. For early-stage Changemakers, understanding and adopting servant leadership principles is vital, as it lays the foundation for leading with empathy and creating positive, inclusive impact.
Phase 2: Influence & Collaboration
The second phase of the Youth Delegate Program shifts the focus from personal development to influencing others and building collaborative partnerships. This phase equips delegates with the tools they need to inspire and mobilize others, a critical skill set for any Changemaker.
Week 5: A Changemaker’s Guide to Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful tool for influencing others and driving change. In Week 5, delegates learn how to harness the power of stories to create more impact. The workshop covers the importance of storytelling in Changemaking, the elements of a great story, and the structure of impactful narratives. Delegates practice telling their own stories, receiving feedback from their peers to refine and improve their storytelling abilities.
Stories have the power to connect people, convey complex ideas, and inspire action. For Changemakers, the ability to tell a compelling story is essential for rallying support, building movements, and creating a shared vision for the future. By mastering the art of storytelling, delegates can effectively communicate their mission and motivate others to join their cause.
Week 6: Understanding Cultural Contexts & Breaking Down Barriers
Cultural awareness and sensitivity are crucial for effective collaboration in a globalized world. In Week 6, delegates explore the concept of the Cultural Iceberg, which illustrates the visible and invisible aspects of culture. Through this workshop, participants gain a deeper understanding of how cultural values and norms influence behavior, communication, and decision-making. They also engage in discussions that challenge them to find commonalities across cultures and build intercultural bridges.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to navigate cultural differences is essential for building effective partnerships and driving collective action. By understanding and appreciating diverse cultural contexts, Changemakers can foster inclusive, respectful collaborations that are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals.
Week 7: Finding Your Tribe and Building Collaborative Partnerships
The final week of Phase 2 is dedicated to helping delegates identify and build the support networks they need to create change. Using tools like the IBM Stakeholder Map, participants map out the individuals and organizations that can support their Changemaking efforts. They identify gaps in their networks and develop strategies to fill these gaps, ensuring they have the right partners in place to achieve their objectives.
Changemaking is not a solo endeavor. It requires the support and collaboration of others who share your vision and can contribute valuable resources, skills, and perspectives. By building strong, diverse networks, delegates increase their capacity to create impact and ensure their initiatives are sustainable in the long run.
Phase 3: Action, Problem-Solving, and Changing the World
The final phase of the Youth Delegate Program focuses on translating vision into action. This phase is all about equipping delegates with the tools and mindset they need to tackle global challenges and create real, lasting change.
Week 8: Turning Opportunity into Action: Identifying Problems and Facing our Fears
In Week 8, delegates learn how to identify and seize opportunities for impact, even in the face of fear and uncertainty. The session of the week teaches Delegates how to identify a complex problem, and encourages them to envision a world free of a particular challenge they are passionate about. Delegates also explore the barriers that prevent us from creating this world and develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
Taking action requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to face and overcome fears. By addressing these fears head-on, delegates build the resilience and determination they need to push through challenges and achieve their goals. This week’s focus on turning opportunity into action is critical for empowering Changemakers to move from idea to implementation.
Week 9: Solving Complex Global Challenges with Human-Centered Design
Week 9 introduces delegates to the concept of Design Thinking, a problem-solving approach that emphasizes empathy and user-centered design. Through this workshop, participants learn to apply Design Thinking principles to global challenges, developing innovative, human-centered solutions. The process involves empathizing with the people affected by a problem, defining the problem, ideating potential solutions, prototyping, and testing these solutions.
Complex global challenges require innovative, user-centered solutions that address the needs and experiences of those affected. By adopting a human-centered design approach, Changemakers can develop more effective, sustainable solutions that are grounded in empathy and a deep understanding of the problem. This mindset is essential for creating impactful change in today’s world.
Week 10: Mini Hackathon
The program culminates in a Mini Hackathon, where delegates apply everything they’ve learned to tackle a real-world problem. Working in teams, they collaborate to develop creative solutions, drawing on the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired throughout the program. This hands-on experience is designed to spur delegates into action, encouraging them to take the first steps towards implementing their ideas.
Why does this matter? The Mini Hackathon provides a practical, experiential learning opportunity that reinforces the program’s core principles. By working together to solve a real-world problem, delegates gain confidence in their ability to effect change and leave the program with a tangible sense of accomplishment. This final challenge serves as a springboard for their continued Changemaking journey, equipping them with the tools and mindset they need to make a lasting impact.
The Youth Delegate Program is a transformative experience that empowers early-stage Changemakers to discover their potential and take meaningful action. Through its three phases, the program guides delegates on a journey of self-discovery, collaboration, and problem-solving, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to create impactful change.
Whether they’re identifying their purpose, building partnerships, or designing solutions to global challenges, participants emerge from YDP as confident, capable leaders who are ready to make a difference in the world. For anyone passionate about creating a better future, the Youth Delegate Program offers an unparalleled opportunity to turn vision into reality and join a global community of Changemakers.
