INSPIRING YOUNG LEADERS TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD

The SDG Program provides high school students with the training, tools, and mentorship to bring about positive change in their communities.

THE PROGRAM

Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for action, participants research a local challenge that they are driven to solve.

Through collaborative workshops, guest speakers, and mentor meetings, students analyze the needs of their communities and produce realistic solutions in the form of policy memos. Student groups receive hands-on instruction in presenting their solutions to decision-makers. The Program culminates with an opportunity for each group to present their memos to a panel of renowned policy experts who know first-hand what it takes to create local change.

our difference

The SDG Program offers young people more than simply an award to add to their college application. We help young leaders learn the processes for creating change at the local level and the tools for making a lasting impact.

We provide each student with the mentorship and tools to take their solutions from concept to real-world implementation.

We guide students to connect their interests in areas like STEM, education, economics, political science, philosophy, psychology, and law to real-world policy applications.

SDG LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The SDG Leadership Program is a four-part in-person program designed to empower students to affect change within their local and national communities. Working in small groups, students will collaborate and create policy memos that address a current challenge in their local communities.

Participants will:

engage with student-centered curriculum that fosters belonging and empowers students as leaders in their community.
benefit from hands-on instruction in policy memo writing.
train in public speaking and presentation skills by Harvard-trained facilitators.
have one-on-one conversations with global leaders, diplomats, and policymakers.
advance the worldwide progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The culminating project is a polished memo to persuade policymakers to address an issue relevant to their communities that works to fulfill one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

LEARN MORE

What are the UN SDGs?

Adopted by the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a framework for action to improve the lives of people worldwide. By taking action to meet these goals in our local communities, we can affect positive change and contribute to this worldwide progress.

Participants will choose one of the following topics related to Sustainable Cities & Communities to explore policy challenges in their own communities.

Public Health in the Urban Environment
Addressing Systemic Barriers
Social Inclusion & Integration
Urban Infrastructure and Transportation

Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

“It was different from anything I’ve done before.”

“The Progam allowed me to open my eyes to multiple areas of my community that needed improvement and motivated me to make a difference.”

“The SDG Program was one of the most inspirational programs I have been a part of.”

“It was exciting to meet guest speakers from around the globe and connect with other students interested in social justice.”

SDG PROGRAM