UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals 2017

The UN is looking for 17 young changemakers whose leadership is catalyzing the achievement of the SDGs. These Young Leaders will work with the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth on efforts to engage young people in the realization of the Goals.

Convened by the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, these Young Leaders are recognized for their leadership and contribution to a more sustainable world. They will work with the Office of the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth on efforts to engage young people in the realization of the Goals.

Responsibilities

The Young Leaders come together as a community to support efforts to engage young people in the realization of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks. Young Leaders will be expected to actively support one or more of the following objectives:

• Advocate for the Goals, in ways most accessible and relatable to young people across different contexts;
• Promote innovative ways of engaging their audiences and peers in the advocacy and realization of the Goals;
• Contribute to a brain trust of young leaders supporting the UN and partners for key moments and initiatives related to the Goals.

Eligibility

• Young people who are genuinely leading fantastic initiatives which support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• They might be a chef, a designer, a campaigner or a blogger. They might know all about the Goals or nothing at all. The important thing is that they are leading an exciting initiative that helps to meet one of the Goals.
• Young Leaders must be aged 18-30 by 31 December, 2017.

Selection Criteria

Successful candidates will be selected based on the following considerations:

• Their demonstrated achievements in promoting and advancing sustainable development and youth participation;
• Their personal influence within their respective fields and reputation for inclusive and innovative leadership;
• The ability to command an audience, influence their contemporaries and inspire their constituents;
• Their demonstrated integrity, commitment to the SDGs and core values of the UN.

Selection Process

Here’s a breakdown of the selection process:

• Round 1 – Applications are open from 7 October to 3 November
• Round 2 – Qualified candidates are selected to go to the next round (see above for who qualifies to be a young leader).
• Round 3 – The selection committee reviews the applications and recommends the finalists.
• Round 4 – Selected finalists are contacted and interviewed

Finally, the Class of 2018 will announced!

For more information on how to apply click here.