Samsung to expand sustainable development project with UN

By Kim Jae-heun

Samsung Electronics announced Thursday that four additional young leaders will join Generation17, its joint initiative with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to accelerate progress towards achieving the latter's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Together, the SDGs are an urgent call for action around the world to build peace and prosperity for people and the planet by 2030.

“We are proud to expand our mission and use our global reach and purposeful innovations to support a new group of inspirational young activists, who once again share

Samsung's commitment

to deliver meaningful solutions that bring communities together,” said Stephanie Choi, senior vice president and head of marketing at Samsung Electronics' Mobile Communications Business.

“These four leaders are integral members of the Galaxy community, and they have our full support and encouragement to continue rallying us all to advance the Global Goals and help build a better future for everyone.”

This group of Generation17 Young Leaders is made up of four visionaries combating inequality and human rights issues and educating their generation on the SDGs across Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Daniel Calarco, 23, is a human rights activist from Brazil who founded the International Youth Watch to create better opportunities for young people from marginalized communities.

Nadine Khaouli, 25, is a community activist from Lebanon who leads disaster relief efforts for the country in response to the 2020 Beirut Port explosion and the COVID-19 pandemic through her organization Kafe be Kafak.

Choi Ye-jin, 26, is a cognitive therapist turned CEO from Korea who founded DoBrain, an AI-based mobile app that aims to improve early education for children with disabilities.

Yurii Romashko, 28, is a transparency advocate from Ukraine, who founded the think tank Institute of Analysis and Advocacy that empowers his community to make more informed, evidence-based decisions in their daily lives.

Over the next year, the introduction of these new agents of change will strengthen the initiative's inclusivity and broaden its global scale, as they spearhead previously unaddressed yet critical issues across the SDGs, according to Samsung Electronics.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened generational divides around the world, and, now more than ever, it's important that younger generations have the opportunities and resources to be heard and to be active participants in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” UNDP administrator Achim Steiner said.

“Together with Samsung, we are supporting more change-makers as they build sustainable policies, communities and progress during this pivotal time. I look forward to working with this group of young leaders and exploring new paths for a green and equitable recovery.”