Joshua of SEVENTEEN has attended a celebratory ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters, marking the impact of the group’s global youth empowerment partnership with UNESCO and delivering a message of encouragement to young people worldwide.
The event, titled UNESCO x SEVENTEEN: Celebrating Youth, Creativity and Well-Being Together, highlighted the achievements of the Global Youth Grant Scheme, “Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being.” Supported by SEVENTEEN’s $1 million donation, the initiative has funded 100 youth-led projects across 64 countries, reaching more than 21,000 direct beneficiaries and engaging over 1.2 million people online.
The ceremony also marked the launch of a new scale-up phase running through December 2026, which will provide expanded support to 10 selected projects in attendance.
Delivering opening remarks on behalf of the group, Joshua emphasized the importance of investing in young people and recognizing their potential as agents of change.
“Supporting this journey has been deeply valuable to all of us. We are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished,” he said. “These experiences showed us that young people already have the answers to change the world. They just need someone to believe in them.”
He also reflected on the parallels between the initiative’s collaborative spirit and SEVENTEEN’s own journey as a group, noting that trust and teamwork have been central to their growth. Speaking in his role as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, Joshua added, “We will continue to do what we do best – we will sing, we will whisper, and sometimes we will shout out to remind you that your dreams matter.”
During the ceremony, Joshua engaged directly with youth leaders through discussions on the impact of creativity and the arts, presented certificates for the launch of scale-up projects, and joined participants for commemorative photographs.
The event also featured a video message from all SEVENTEEN members, who celebrated two years as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth and reflected on their ongoing partnership with the organization.
“We’re honored to celebrate two years as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth,” the group said. “Through creativity, commitment, and teamwork, you have inspired hope and possibility in the lives of many.”
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El Enany praised the collaboration, highlighting the initiative’s role in supporting youth-led solutions to global challenges.
“Young people are shaping our world today through their creativity and innovation,” he said. “UNESCO and SEVENTEEN have a joint ambition to empower youth, and the ‘Going Together’ initiative has already made a significant impact.”
As SEVENTEEN marks the second anniversary of its appointment as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth, the group reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for young people globally. The ceremony underscored the continued partnership between UNESCO and SEVENTEEN, aimed at empowering youth through creativity, collaboration, and sustainable impact.