The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) program serves to formally recognize young people who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world's young people. The program is sponsored by Junior Chamber International (JCI).[1]
Honorees that are selected have represented the heights of progress in numerous human endeavors. All have continued to serve humanity in
a great variety of ways. Young men and women may be nominated in one of ten categories. The honorees will be selected by an international panel of distinguished judges. Up to ten honorees will be selected from all nominations received, regardless of category entered. Categories
Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment
Political, legal, and/or governmental affairs
Academic leadership and/or accomplishment
Cultural achievement
Moral and/or environmental leadership
Contribution to children, world peace, and/or human rights
Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership
Scientific and/or technological development
Personal improvement and/or accomplishment
Medical innovation
Nominees are often submitted through the JCI organization in their home country. The national organization (NOM) of JCI typically has a Ten Outstanding Young Persons program, which recognizes young people who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of that country's young people. For example, in the USA, the United States Junior Chamber has the Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) program. While Hong Kong has a Ten Outstanding Young Persons program through Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, Taiwan's Ten Outstanding Young Persons program is outside of JCI. History
Starting in 1983, JCI modelled ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) program off the Ten Outstanding Young Persons programs in national Junior Chamber organizations. The Ten Outstanding Young Persons program in the United States of America originally was called the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) program; it was officially adopted in 1938 and has been conducted annually since 1940. In 1984, the U.S. Junior Chamber began admitting women as members and, in 1985, the TOYM program was officially changed to Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA), recognizing the accomplishments of young women and men.
