Young Global Leadership Foundation

11/07/2025

YGLF warmly welcomes our youngest member to the YGLF International Generational Council Aashni Amin, president of senior class of the prestigious Westerly, RI High School. Dr. Linda and Aashni are currently creating the first YGLF High School Club focused on the UN SDGs, It will serve as a role model for many high schools in the future. We will share the official opening with you very soon.

10/29/2025

https://sdgactionawards.org/live/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=ceremony_live&mc_cid=1c636b023b

WATCH ON RAI PLAY IN ITALIAN in partnership with UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony Tune in to the LIVE 2025 edition of the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 at 18:00 CET, to honour the changemakers who wield the power of creativity and innovation to bring us...

10/25/2025

Today, October 24th, 2025, YGLF celebrates "The United Nations at 80" anniversary. To commemorate the amazing UN achievements especially in human rights and social development in the 21st C, Chair Dr. Linda and VP of the Arts Dr. Chen co-hosted a highly well-received
Think Global/Act Local YGLF program at the historical library, of Dr. Linda's hallmark hometown Westerly, RI USA at the Sea. YGLF intends to expand this engaging program, throughout Rhode Island, then natinionally and ultimately globally.

09/27/2025

This week, Dr. Maureen attended a United Nations event & luncheon sponsored by Rise-up / Blue Planet Alliance / Peace Boat US. The focus was on Climate Change, most surgically on Ocean policy. Six speakers formed a powerful panel, along with three other esteemed speakers.

Blue Planet Alliance’s mission is to lead climate change solutions. Peace Boat focuses on sustainability around the world.

09/21/2025

Sunday, September 21, 2025, the International Day of Peace commemorates the founding ideals of the United Nations: to promote peace, end conflict, and foster global cooperation. YGLF adheres to the UN founding principles noted in our mission statement.

Dr. Linda shares the famous peace song phraseology:
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with "you and me."

09/09/2025

International Literacy Day was first endorsed by UN ECOSOC in 1967 to promote better understanding globally, culturally and locally. It was celebration worldwide yesterday, September 8th, and this year's celebration theme: “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”, highlighting the pivotal role of digital technology in enabling reasoning. Literacy also impacts the success of all SDGs.
YGLF is a strong supporter of education and literacy at all levels towards more peaceful, productive and positive global relations in the 21st C, as part of its mission statement.

08/20/2025

UN NGO YGLF representative Dr. Maureen recently attended the meeting "Intersecting Inequities: Age, Gender, and Structural Violence in Global Contexts." YGLF illuminates intergenerational issues in alignment with our YGLF Intergenerational Global Council, Chaired by our Dr. Maureen.

This meaningful event was hosted by the NGO committee on Aging. It was also co-sponsored by United Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner and the Center for Economic and Social Rights. August 19, 2025. 9:00 – 10:30am.

The discussion focused on the elevation of poverty, especially impacting older women, the role of the State in supporting older women, the roles in society that others do not desire, which are left for women, and the lack of statistics on poverty and homelessness of older persons.

08/12/2025

Today, Tuesday, August 12th marks the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE YOUTH, highly celebrated at the United Nations.
For 2025, the theme is Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future, a message asking kids and teens to build a better planet. This theme focuses on taking action for a greener and fairer world. YGLF will utilize this year's UN youth theme in coordination with its Think Global/Act Local initiatives, already launched in Westerly, RI and to expand through the state in the coming months.

07/29/2025

Recently, Chair Dr. Linda and VP Dr. Patrik hosted a YGLF Think Global/Act Local event at the Westerly at the Sea home featuring the
May Peace Prevail on Earth -- Peace Pole ceremony and celebration. It was attended by the YGLF board, several IGC members and local civic engagement leaders of Westerly. Thomas and Karin Besendorfer from Munich also attended as we honored our strategic alliance with Blue Glacier and their humanitarian environmental program throughout Africa. Thomas is also a new council member.

Peace Pole International is an NGO with UN Global Communication Division status.

May Peace Prevail in your Life too !

07/23/2025

Recently, Dr. Maureenm IGC Chair, attended the in-person parallel event at the UN Headquarters, titled: Reinforcing Gender Equality in connection with the HIgh Level Political Forum.

Women traditionally and historically subsidize economic systems with unpaid work.

Economic development needs to explicitly include women. We must all be aware of bias-related to race-based policies. We need to shift away from debt-based processes that often fall upon the backs of women. Gender-equality is not possible without justice. This topic should be tightly tied to human rights discussions and policies. Finland’s representative leader spoke on Finland’s commitment to women. They stand fully for female autonomy over reproductive rights. Gender equality drives economic health.

A panel member summmarized that continued support is needed for SDG #5.

07/21/2025

Our VP, Chen Wang, honored to speak at the Forum on Universal Health and Sustainable Development, in Celebration of the 2025 UN HLPF on Sustainable Development. As both a pianist and UN representative, Chen shared her journey as a speaker exploring the healing power of music, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, supported by modern science, and brought to life through real human stories. From performing for children with disabilities to launching the Journey to Love and Peaceworld concert tour during the pandemic, she has witnessed how music can calm the mind, connect hearts, and transform lives. Music is not just art — it is a bridge between body and spirit, science and emotion, self and society.

In a rapidly changing world, she believes that cross-disciplinary collaboration is key to building a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Let us keep working toward the Sustainable Development Goals — with harmony, compassion, and shared purpose. 🌍🎶

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07/09/2025

Dr Linda launched her new course called: The UN Past ~ Present ~ Future at the University of Rhode Island yesterday and was amazed at the
enthusiastic interest level of the inter-generational students. She will continue with YGLF - UN seminars and activities at URI, at the high school level and at other venues throughout 2025. The intent is to to engage the Rhode Island community in Think Global/Act Local Endeavors. She wishes everyone a wonderful summer.