“There is no power like that of a determined youth.” – Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India

As we wrap up our youth blog series for International Youth Day 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the stories, values, and voices we’ve covered along the way. From youth taking up the lead to be moral and innovative leaders to peace in the Korean peninsula and Peace Begins in the Home, one thing is clear: today’s youth are a powerful force.

Throughout this blog series, we’ve journeyed through six themes of youth leadership and peacebuilding that have defined Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and its commitment towards youths. We started with the values-based leadership approach, which is rooted in the Global Peace Values Framework—living for the greater good, dreaming big, taking ownership, and fostering teamwork—that underpins GPF’s work. This has acted as a compass that young people use to navigate service, leadership, and purpose in their communities.

We covered moral and innovative leadership, a pillar that has strengthened and supported the character and empowerment of young people around the world. As witnessed, youth have proven that leadership with creativity can bring real change, especially when it’s anchored in values.

We took a deep dive into youth volunteerism, a core part of youth engagement in GPF. To the GPF volunteers, we are grateful to have you with us. Youth volunteerism isn’t just about grand gestures but also about small, consistent acts of service. We looked at how youth can start their own volunteering journeys in their communities, and that volunteerism is a gateway to leadership that nurtures service, courage, and responsibility.

With One Family Under God as a guiding light, we highlighted GPF youths’ involvement in peacebuilding. From Global Peace Leadership Corps to local peace initiatives, GPF youths have bridged divides across faiths, cultures, and ideologies. Peace begins when we choose to see one another as part of ‘One Family Under God.’

The peacebuilding efforts of GPF youth were further expanded in our blog focused on youth advancing peace in the Korean peninsula with the One Korea Global Campaign. With the 80th anniversary of Korea’s division in 2025, youth from across the world have come together to stand in solidarity for One Korea. Their involvement reminds us that Korean unification is not only a regional issue but a symbol of peace and unity.

Finally, we turned a spotlight on young women driving significant peacebuilding efforts in their local communities. GPF’s global reach with women’s initiatives in peacebuilding is a strong example of how peace is rooted in the soil of our everyday lives. It may not make headlines, but peace begins quietly in our homes, oftentimes with women taking leadership.

As we wrap up our blog series, we applaud young leaders and their contribution to peacebuilding. Since its inception, GPF has invested in youth as changemakers, volunteers,

leaders, and peacebuilders. Whether through leadership camps, conferences, or grassroots campaigns, GPF has worked across continents empowering youths not just to respond to the challenges of our times but to reimagine and rebuild the future with values at the core.

On this International Youth Day 2025, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every young person who is shaping a better world—whether in your community, classrooms, or online. Courage comes in many ways, and thank you for stepping up with courage, speaking out, and standing up.

We hope this blog series inspires you and ignites your spark, which glows brighter each day. The world needs your energy, ideas, and courage.

Lead where you are.

Dream boldly.

Live with your heart.

The future is already here—and you are it.

Read all of the International Youth Day 2025 Blogs:

GPF Youth Leadership – Values-Based Approach to Leadership

Empowered to Lead: 5 Ways You Can Be a Moral and Innovative Leader in Today’s World

Youth Volunteerism: Start Your Own Volunteering Journey in Your Community

Youth and Peacebuilding: Dialogue, Action, and the Power of Unity

Commemorating International Youth Day with a Call for a Unified Korea

Celebrating Young Women Peacebuilders on International Youth Day 2025