The 2018 Laureate Global Fellows Are the Young Leaders Our World Needs
In today’s deeply divided world, it’s more important than ever that leaders serve as bridge-builders, committed to the common good. The 2018 Laureate Global Fellows—20 young social entrepreneurs representing 16 countries—are distinguished by their innovative approaches to healing profound social, economic, racial, educational, and other divides.
Guided by the values of compassion, equity, justice, and inclusion, these young men and women combine head and heart in pioneering solutions. In Brazil, Leonardo Capel co-founded a crowdfunding platform that connects teachers to the resources to improve educational opportunities for over 10,000 students. In Tanzania, Jacqueline Lawrence launched a radio station—now reaching nearly 2.7 million listeners—that engages citizens and political leaders in discussion around critical local issues.
The yearlong fellowship, open to 18- to 29-year-old leaders of social change, is the result of a partnership between Laureate International Universities and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) through its YouthActionNet® initiative. Fellows benefit from advanced leadership training, mentoring, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
“We offer a warm welcome to the 2018 Laureate Global Fellows, each of whom is putting passion and creativity to work in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals,” said IYF Chief Executive Officer Bill Reese. “We are extremely grateful to Laureate for its continued dedication and commitment to supporting youth-led social change.”
The 2018 Laureate Fellows—all young founders/CEOs—join YouthActionNet’s expanding global network. Today 24 national and regional institutes, including 16 established on Laureate campuses, have adapted the YouthActionNet model. By the end of this year, the community will span 1,970 young change-makers in 94 countries.
“Congratulations to each of the 2018 Laureate Global Fellows,” said Eilif Serck-Hanssen, Chief Executive Officer of Laureate Education, Inc. “These results-oriented problem-solvers reflect Laureate’s commitment to being Here For Good, and the impact that can be achieved when a passion for social change is combined with an entrepreneurial mindset.”
The 2018 fellows pursue a range of creative strategies in championing the needs of those too-often marginalized. Their bottom-up solutions—whether building an e-commerce platform to expand the marketing opportunities of indigenous artisans in Ecuador or pairing young volunteers with the elderly in Spain—strengthen the social fabric of their communities.
From October 4 to 12, the 20 fellows will take part in an in-depth training in Washington, D.C., and will share their social change solutions and challenges with policymakers, the media, and corporate representatives during a half-day symposium.
Visit the YouthActionNet website to learn more about 2018 Laureate Global Fellows and their ventures.
