On July 14, two official side events of the 2026 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), focusing on artificial intelligence and youth empowerment, were held consecutively at the Scandinavia House in New York. The events drew over one hundred participants from more than 30 countries across five continents, with high-level support from officials of the UN Secretariat, UNDP, ITU, WIPO, the UN Youth Office, UNFPA, and other international organizations.
Global Youth Philanthropy, in partnership with the Peaceland Foundation, The Shandong Tongshan Children’s Welfare and Public Welfare Development Center, AAAAH, Youth Voice Media Center, the Global Climate Innovation Coalition (GCIC), and the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN), co-organized this series of side events. The gatherings brought together representatives of UN Member States, academics, educators, industry professionals, civil organizations, youth innovation leaders, corporate and media representatives. Youth representatives from the Global Youth Philanthropy participated in both forums, delivering keynote speeches and engaging in panel discussions and interactive exchanges. Centering on the two core themes of universal AI literacy and youth-led tech-for-good innovation, the events offered diverse practical approaches to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This year’s HLPF, convened by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is themed “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, building a sustainable future for all.” The forum conducts in-depth reviews of five core goals: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). A total of 36 countries submitted Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at this year’s forum.
Cultivating Responsible AI Talent: Global Youth Philanthropy Shares Grassroots Inclusive Education Practices
The first side event focused on inclusive AI education for youth and the cultivation of responsible AI innovators. The session was moderated by Conor McCutcheon, a board member of the Global Youth Philanthropy. The opening ceremony featured several distinguished guests: Ms. Yuanyuan Xie, founder of Global Youth Philanthropy, delivered the opening remarks, addressing the pressing issue of unequal distribution of AI education resources among young people globally. Dr. Vee Kativhu, a UN Young Leader for the SDGs, shared her insights, focusing on girls and exploring the comprehensive pathways needed to implement inclusive AI education. Professor Carlos Artemio Coello Coello, a United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, analyzed approaches to nurturing next-generation innovators within the context of global AI governance systems.
During the keynote session, various speakers took the stage to exchange views. Nyamekye Wilson, a member of the National STEM Council and founder of Black Sisters in STEM, was the first to speak, emphasizing that the core opportunity for AI to unleash social value lies within marginalized communities. Justin Kong, a youth representative of Global Youth Philanthropy, showcased an original song composed using AI, and shared his insights on how music can reflect and shape cross-cultural identity. He noted that through streaming platforms, music facilitates two-way cultural exchange between international students and local communities, helping them build connections, a sense of belonging, and confidence, ultimately achieving genuine integration. Professor Mohammad Nurunnabi, UNESCO Chair in Education for Sustainable Development, Green Skills and Climate Actions and Director of the Centre for Sustainability and Climate, shared perspectives on implementing AI education in line with global green development needs. Ella Luo, a Global Youth Philanthropy youth representative and founder of YoungReach Finance, followed with a presentation on educational reform aimed at enhancing youth financial literacy, drawing from her own series of courses, and called for greater attention to financial literacy cultivation and transformation in financial education. Zhaoyang Calvin Weng, founder and team leader of Rising Racquets, shared how providing free tennis lessons to community youth revealed that the deeper value of sports extends far beyond skill development—it helps young people build confidence, a sense of belonging, and resilience. Citing the transformation of one student as an example, he called on all sectors of society to collaborate in ensuring that sports resources are no longer a privilege but a cornerstone of physical and mental health for every young person. Brighton Kaoma, former Global Director at UN SDSN Youth and co-founder of Amano So, drew on his experience working with global youth networks to discuss cross-regional models for youth innovation collaboration in the AI era. Spring Zheng, founder of Abundance University, focused on youth leadership development in the age of AI, sharing practical experience from youth empowerment programs. Dr. Thomas G. Hedberg, Executive Director of the International Medical Crisis Response Alliance (IMCRA), combined his frontline experience to share observations, real-world challenges, and positive outcomes regarding contemporary youth development in an AI-driven environment. Xiao Li, head of the Shandong Tongshan Children’s Welfare and Public Welfare Development Center, delivered a special online presentation, providing a comprehensive overview of the organization’s grassroots model for delivering inclusive AI education to disadvantaged children and youth in rural areas and offering a replicable, practical template for civil organizations worldwide. Nnaemeka Phil Eke-okocha, head of the Local Pathways program and project lead at UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative, shared insights on building grassroots youth projects globally. Saakshar Duggal, Vice President of the Artificial Intelligence Law Hub, shared his views online, asserting that AI literacy has become an essential survival skill for people in the new era.
Following the keynote speeches, the side event featured the launch of the “AI for Good: Human Civilization Initiative.” International Producer Qun Shen, Director, Producer, Executive Producer Jianjun Sun, and young film director Weiting Tian, as co-founders and creators of the initiative, advocated for using AI as a bridge connecting different civilizations and the future world. They pointed out that deep reading is increasingly declining, cross-cultural understanding remains scarce, and global educational resources are unevenly distributed. While AI is rapidly proliferating, it has not yet developed an educational pathway centered on cultural heritage. To this end, the initiative proposes three core directions: educational equity, cultural heritage, and international cooperation. It is committed to ensuring that every child has equal access to the essence of human civilization, that every civilization is understood, respected, and preserved, and that every nation can move forward together through dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations.
As a core action of the initiative, the “World Classics AI Education Program” was launched. Phase one will establish two foundational libraries—”100 World Classics” and “100 Chinese Classics”—complemented by multilingual translations, AI-powered literary visualizations, graded teaching materials, interactive courses, and audiobooks, forming a comprehensive digital learning ecosystem. The initiative emphasizes that AI should be a powerful partner for teachers, not a replacement—teachers bear the responsibility for character development and emotional support, while AI provides vast resources and personalized guidance, working together to build an education system for the future. The creative team also called on UN agencies, governments, universities and research institutions, cultural organizations, technology companies, and young people worldwide to join hands in building an open, inclusive, and responsible global platform for civilization education—connecting civilizations through education and illuminating humanity’s shared future with civilization. Global Youth Philanthropy will also continue to be deeply involved in this public welfare endeavor, leveraging AI to disseminate classical works of world civilization and empower youth development.
Focusing on Youth-Led AI Innovation for Good: Multiple Parties Jointly Launch Youth Science and Technology Support Mechanism
The second side event focused on youth-led AI social innovation, digital infrastructure development, and cross-border digital equity collaboration.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Abraham Joseph, Former UN Chief Senior Socio-Economic Advisor and Former Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, delivered forward-looking remarks on Transformative Education and Youth Innovation for the UN SDGs.
The first segment of the side event’s keynote presentations centered on resource management optimization and inclusive transition, closely linked to SDGs related to quality education, clean energy, sustainable cities, and climate action. Dr. Sahba El-Shawa, a UN Young Leader for the SDGs and founder of the Palestine Space Institute and the Jordan Space Research Initiative, was the first to share, exploring viable pathways for youth leadership for responsible governance of dual-use and emerging technologies. Rachel Zhang, a Global Youth Philanthropy youth representative and CEO of LeafedUp, spoke about her experience founding an environmental nonprofit organization, focusing on how to build personal environmental action projects. She called on young people to take immediate action while urging policymakers to lower the barriers for youth-led environmental initiatives, and shared a toolkit designed for youth organizations. David Styers, Organizing Partner of the Volunteers Stakeholder Group (VGA), spoke on the occasion of the International Year of Volunteers, elaborating on how to implement transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated actions through volunteering to bridge global development gaps. Richard Da, a Global Youth Philanthropy youth representative and founder of the “No Home Left Behind” project, shared his experiences and practices in New Jersey, along with insights from expert interviews, discussing the current state, necessity, and practical implementation of affordable sustainable community housing, calling for attention to displaced populations. Bakare Mubarak, Global Cultural & Youth Ambassador and founder of BILARTERAL, approached from an artistic perspective, introducing an AI-powered African tech-creative industry corridor designed to drive innovation and development for local youth. Stéphane Pouffary, CEO of ENERGIES 2050, participated online, sharing experience in AI-for-good project governance and real-world social impact building. From governance, finance, and local ecosystem perspectives, he called for bridging the gap between youth innovation and systemic change.
The second segment of keynote presentations focused on technological innovation, AI ethics, and systemic change, addressing SDGs related to industry, innovation, infrastructure, and global partnerships. AI artist & director Michaela Ternasky-Holland called on young people worldwide to actively share their own sustainable development practice stories. Audrey Su, founder of the “One Meter of Sunshine” project and a Global Youth Philanthropy youth representative, delivered an impassioned presentation on the “Light Africa” initiative. Starting with off-grid households in Tanzania, the project promotes the distribution of solar lamps costing approximately $3 to extend study time for local youth. The project simultaneously runs book clubs to raise funds for lamp distribution, calling for investment in coordinated small-scale actions to support youth-led solutions addressing electricity and education challenges in Africa. Ruth-Monique Gedeus, North America Regional Director of SDG Youth Connect, shared diverse pathways for creating a sustainable future through AI-powered innovation. Xintong Ivy Li, co-founder of the Her Haven project (incubated by the Global Youth Philanthropy), shared action initiatives related to women’s mental health development, calling for attention to adolescent girls’ mental health—particularly online gender-based violence exacerbated by technologies like deepfakes. Her Haven provides safe spaces where girls feel seen, heard, and a sense of belonging through AI-powered mental health chat, pen pal programs, and campus chapters within a global network. Wanangwa Rachel Mganga, UNFPA Malawi Country Office Program Analyst: Youth, Gender, & Innovation, participated online, sharing case studies of youth-led innovation driving inclusive sustainable development, fostering cross-border, cross-sector youth development experience exchanges with the social innovation practices shared by Global Youth Philanthropy youth representatives.
As the event moved into its closing session, Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, former Chief of the Civil Society Unit at the UN Department of Global Communications, President and Executive Director, I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation, delivered the first summary, offering high praise for the tech-for-good projects of Global Youth Philanthropy youth representatives. Ms. Qiu Lili, founder of the Peaceland Foundation, then provided a comprehensive summary of the entire side event series. She introduced the foundation’s efforts and practices in corporate ESG and launched the “Responsible Enterprise for Global Sustainable Development Initiative.” The initiative centers on four pillars: inclusive industrial employment, global health equity, green and low-carbon ESG, and cross-border partnership networks. It calls on enterprises to integrate social responsibility, cross-border assistance, and climate action into their long-term strategies.
AI for Good Youth Innovation Solutions Exhibition
During the “AI for Good Youth Solutions Exhibition” held alongside the HLPF 2026 side events, Global Youth Philanthropy solicited and showcased innovative solutions from youth teams around the world focused on AI for good, covering diverse issues including health, mental well-being, education, environment, and safety: Court-Mate uses a 3D interactive sports app to encourage youth to get outdoors, alleviating academic pressure and loneliness; Her Haven creates an AI-powered global “sisterhood” mental health support network, providing 24/7 emotional companionship for girls worldwide; ChronoHeal is a smart bandage platform using biosensing and AI predictive analytics to provide early warning and proactive treatment at home for chronic wound patients, aiming to reduce avoidable amputations; NyxDcode has developed an AI-assisted multi-layer encryption decryption system capable of automatically identifying and decoding complex nested encodings, serving cybersecurity and digital forensics; Think Eat uses computer vision and multi-agent AI to help households reduce food waste, managing the entire process from identification and reminders to donation guidance; SAFERIDE is an AI safety assistant for young cyclists, identifying blind spots to provide early hazard warnings, and has received a U.S. patent; Own2Next AI builds a secondhand fashion intelligent matching network based on personal “ownership maps,” promoting a shift from impulse consumption to conscious ownership; Rising Racquets, through a sports-community partnership model, transforms elite school resources into free learning spaces for underserved children, advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education). These youth-led projects collectively demonstrate the immense potential of artificial intelligence in promoting inclusive development and a sustainable future.
In addition, under the theme “Performing Across Time and Cultures with AI,” three youth artists presented AI-empowered musical performances: Dr. Yona Chiang’s rendition of Amy Beach’s Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23; Dr. Jiyuan Yang’s interpretation of Astor Piazzolla’s Oblivion; and Dr. Yaqi Wang’s Qinhuai River (Suzhou Pingtan version). Together with the exhibited youth-led solutions, these performances illustrated how artificial intelligence can serve as a bridge across disciplines and cultures — expanding the scope of “AI for good” from technological innovation to artistic and cultural expression.
Forum Brings Together Diverse Global Stakeholders, Forging a Common Consensus
All participating parties at the event formed a unified development consensus: bridging the digital divide requires inclusive AI education to reach the grassroots level; AI development must balance ecological and ethical considerations; and youth are a core force for tech-for-good. Only by replicating mature public welfare innovation models through global partnerships can we accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As a civil society organization deeply committed to youth public welfare innovation and digital inclusion, Global Youth Philanthropy will continue to leverage UN multilateral platforms, connect with like-minded partners at home and abroad, and persistently empower young people globally, promoting fair and inclusive responsible AI development.
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