“From Margins to Changemakers: Girls Empowered through Leadership Training and Travel”
5 February 2025 | 13:15 – 14:30 | 2nd Fl, 4 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 | (Hybrid, Off-Site)
Organized by: the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace & Girls Empowered by Travel – Nepal; co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN, Major Group for Children and Youth, and HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership.
General Information on the Event
The side event, co-organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) and Girls Empowered by Travel (GET) Nepal, took place to showcase the impact of travel-based leadership programs as tools for education, empowerment, and sustainable community development. The event aimed to highlight how these programs equip young students with essential skills, boost their confidence, and prepare them to become change-makers in their communities. By emphasizing the successful partnership between IAYSP and GET-Nepal, the event illustrated how grassroots initiatives can drive long-term social change and contribute to the achievement of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The event also served as a platform to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships, encouraging broader investment in strategies that empower girls globally. The discussion underscored the transformative power of locally driven initiatives, with speakers highlighting best practices in travel-based exchange programs designed to enhance cross-cultural learning and leadership development—while gender equality was later addressed as one of several key topics.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
Grassroots Leadership and Empowerment Programs
Kayoung Choi (Communications Coordinator for IAYSP) opened the session by introducing the collaboration between IAYSP and GET-Nepal, emphasizing its role in fostering transformative leadership and empowerment for young women in an inclusive platform. The panel featured Nagma Shrestha (IAYSP Representative to the United Nations, NY) and Elena Zubareva (Co-Founder of GET Nepal). They shared real-life examples of how grassroots initiatives create lasting change, particularly through leadership programs tailored to local needs. The discussion also highlighted the importance of SDG education among youth and the role of travel in fostering independence and self-confidence in young women.
Empowering Women Through Rural and Urban Exchange
A key initiative discussed was the Rural Urban Intercultural Exchange Program (Hitaishi), meaning “friend” or “well-wisher,” which brings together girls from different regions for leadership training before guiding them to implement community projects in their respective areas. The panelists showcased the impact of GET’s program, engaging approximately 4,000 community members and 1,750 direct beneficiaries. The program’s success was attributed to its emphasis on confidence-building, leadership skills, and real-world application. Other innovative initiatives were also discussed, including professional development programs for female guides and cultural homestay experiences designed to empower women while preserving local traditions. During the discussion, Teresa (A Representative of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth), shared strategies for securing government and institutional support for grassroots leadership initiatives, particularly for young women. She emphasized the importance of centering youth voices in decision-making and highlighted key recommendations from young feminists, including the need for universal, inclusive education, gender-responsive climate action, and stronger support for girl-child empowerment.
Advancing Gender Equality Through Literacy and Leadership Programs
The discussion further explored the role of literacy in women’s empowerment. GET presented its adult literacy program, which has enabled increased autonomy for participants and sparked initiatives such as campaigns against child marriage, leadership training for girls, and sustainable tourism projects. Brinda Basnet (Board Member of GET Nepal) spoke about the critical role of partnerships in the success of these programs. Civil society activist Patricia Gonzalez from Mexico shared perspectives on how community-driven initiatives contribute to advancing gender equality and development, reinforcing the need for localized solutions that address specific community needs.
Strengthening Global Collaboration for Gender Equality
The event highlighted the IAYSP Peace Designer program, an initiative aligning local projects with global goals. Panelists discussed how such programs can be adapted to different cultural contexts to promote gender equality more effectively. Insights were shared on best practices, including engaging local stakeholders, leveraging media to showcase impact, and ensuring accountability and transparency in program implementation.
Overcoming Challenges in Community Engagement
Speakers addressed common challenges faced in implementing community projects, including initial skepticism from local communities. Examples were shared of how trust-building efforts, community consultations, and clear communication of program benefits helped overcome resistance. Testimonials from GET participants illustrated the effectiveness of these approaches in fostering long-term community buy-in and program sustainability.
Fostering Emotional Connections and Sustainable Impact
Building emotional connections was highlighted as a crucial aspect of leadership development. Brinda Basnet discussed the importance of establishing trust with program participants and their families, including home visits before program selection to ensure strong engagement. Additional insights were shared on personal motivations for involvement in women’s empowerment, with speakers reflecting on their experiences in supporting marginalized communities.
The Role of Partnerships in Scaling Impact
The session concluded with a call to action to strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships, expanding successful models like those of IAYSP and GET-Nepal. Emphasizing the importance of consistency and personal connections in achieving these goals, it highlighted the value of building long-lasting relationships to drive meaningful change. The session also introduced the new YSP anthem, “In Unity, We Rise,” which was created in collaboration with a chapter in Zambia. This song underscores the power of collective action in promoting youth empowerment and inclusion.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
● Grassroots leadership programs advance gender equality, economic empowerment, education, health, and more by addressing challenges identified by participants.
● Travel-based empowerment programs are effective tools for fostering confidence, independence, and values of transformative leadership among young women.
● Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for scaling impactful initiatives and ensuring sustainability.
● Clear strategies for overcoming community skepticism are crucial to gaining support and ensuring program success.
● Accountability, transparency, and strong local engagement are necessary for long-term impact.
The event successfully demonstrated how localized, community-driven leadership initiatives can contribute to global development efforts. Moving forward, IAYSP and GET-Nepal will continue advocating for greater investment in leadership programs and fostering partnerships to support the empowerment of all youth.
Further Resources
Please find the full recording of the event and other information here.