The Global Youth Collaborative (GYC) came to fruition from the bright minds of student leaders during the 2022 Global Leadership Youth Program. Stemming from the passion for GLYP students to continue learning about global topics while engaging with San Diego communities, SDDC set out to implement a program where students can:
- Exploring global issues utilizing diplomacy, leadership, and advocacy
- Join an inclusive space for collaboration and innovative solutions that fosters confidence and the ability to make a difference
- Develop critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills
- Explore their creativity and develop technical skills
- Provide opportunities for experience and growth
Throughout the program’s four core touchpoints, coinciding with the 2022-2023 academic year, students engaged with 8 community organizations and businesses throughout 7 site-visits, interacting with 10 educators.
GYC Session 1
GYC Session 1 at UC San Diego Park and Market taking a Digital Storytelling Workshop with the San Diego Public Library Director, Misty Jones.
GYC Session 1 at UC San Diego Park and Market taking a Digital Storytelling Workshop with Outside the Lens educators.
GYC Session 2
GYC Session 2 on a site visit at the Living Coast Discovery Center for an interactive educational tour and discussion.
GYC Session 2 at the San Diego Diplomacy Council collaborating during a Community Action Planning Workshop with San Diego Pride’s Grassroots Organizing Coordinator, Jen Hibberts and Director of Education & Advocacy, Jen LaBarbera. Students would go on to work in small groups on their Community Action Projects throughout session 2 & 3 in preparation for presenting their work during the forth and final GYC session.
GYC Session 3
GYC Session 3 at University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice during a presentation and pitch activity with Kroc School Graduate Student, Jessica Schwartz and Product Marketing Specialist, Tony Campos.
GYC Session 3 at the San Diego Diplomacy Council learning from Climate Action Campaign Policy Advocate, Madison Coleman.
GYC Session 4
GYC Session 4 – The Global Youth Collaborative came to a close on Friday April 21st at La Jolla Country Day School where students presented their Community Action Projects to a group of 24 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegates from 24 countries, focused on Youth Civic Engagement. The program close provided a unique opportunity for students to receive feedback and perspectives from leaders around the globe.
In celebration of completing the GYC program, our students, IVLP delegates, SDDC members, and the La Jolla Country Day Community came together for a Global Social Hour. Thank you, La Jolla Country Day for hosting this event!!
Program Impact
- Empowered youth as leaders and global citizens
- Strengthened critical thinking, communication, and technical skills
- Created opportunities for networking and collaboration with peers
- Exposed participants to global-local dynamics and community engagement
- Fostered the development of confidence and the ability to make a positive impact
GYC has had such a huge impact on my life. GYC has given me the opportunity to meet and talk to delegates from all over the world that care about the same issues as me. I also got the opportunity to public speak and collaborate with other people. We came up with solution to stop problems for example immigrations. Overall this was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to do it again next year.” – GYC Student
The resources I got like the GYC Guidelines, meeting delegations from other parts of the world, and the workshops would give me an idea of what needs to be done to advocate for thing believe. I have a better understanding of Global issues and I can implement things I learned to any future aspirations regarding Global issues or advocacy. I learned how much it takes to implement change and I got a behind the scenes of what is necessary to make change. I enjoyed working with like minded people, to take steps towards an action plan of a Global issue. The overall experience was wonderful, filled with a variety of new things I had never explored before and I hope to carry it with me through my future.” GYC Student
On the Horizon
As the Global Youth Collaborative closes, our team is gearing up for the next SDDC youth program, the Global Leadership Youth Program!
Back for a fourth consecutive year, the Summer 2023 Global Leadership Youth Program
will run from Late-June to the first week of August. This program is open to rising or current high school students, grades 9 – 12.
This year, we are excited to announce a newly founded partnership between the San Diego Diplomacy Council and the University of California, San Diego to provide students with the opportunity to receive UCSD Continuing Education Units (CEUs) credit for 5 modules (2 units). To learn more about this for-credit option, visit our GLYP webpage via the button below!
Ready to register or want to learn more?
Click here for details!
Questions? Please contact julia@sandiegodiplomacy.org
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