Since 2020, the initiative has supported Young Leaders worldwide with Samsung Galaxy technology, mentorship and networking opportunities to amplify their stories and advance solutions across all 17 Global Goals.

When devastating floods submerged her home state in Brazil, Renata Koch Alvarenga questioned whether her work was making a difference. Instead of retreating, she doubled down, launching an ambitious program to prepare women and youth for the climate crisis ahead.

The 17 Global Goals refer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. They cover interrelated areas such as quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, climate action, life on land and below water, among others.

The images still haunt her. In May 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul faced the worst flooding in its history, submerging Renata Koch Alvarenga’s hometown of Porto Alegre under record-breaking floodwaters. Nearly 600,000 people were displaced, streets disappeared, and the airport remained closed for months.

▲ The 2024 floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, affected nearly 2.4 million people and caused widespread damage across 478 municipalities, including Porto Alegre, shown here.

“My heart was definitely breaking,” she recalls. “I saw so many places that I grew up going to, such as parks and museums, destroyed.”

What happened in Brazil reflects a growing global threat. Climate change is heating oceans and shifting rainfall patterns, intensifying extreme weather events like floods. By 2100, coastal flood risk is expected to increase fivefold, threatening more than 70 million people worldwide, according to UNDP. 

After years of climate advocacy and educational outreach, the devastation – some of it in the very communities Renata had worked to protect – left her questioning if her efforts were enough. “I like to say that I’m a climate optimist and always like to see the glass half full, but that was a key moment in which it was very hard to keep being an optimist,” she says. “It was very hard to keep going.”

For Renata, the choice became clear: give in to doubt, or double down on her mission.

Discovering Climate Justice

Renata’s path to climate activism began in college when she received the opportunity to attend COP21 – the 21^st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties – held in Paris in 2015, where world leaders negotiated the landmark Paris Agreement. “I saw multiple diplomats say, ‘I don’t really understand why we’re talking about gender. This has nothing to do with climate change,’” she says.

This dismissive response sparked something within her. Renata’s studies had shown that the climate crisis impacts people differently based on gender and economic status – with women often facing the harshest consequences while being excluded from decision-making. This imbalance lies at the heart of climate justice. According to UN Women, by 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into extreme poverty, compared to 16 million more men and boys.

Renata left COP21 determined to change things.

▲ Inspired by what she witnessed in Paris, Renata worked to create pathways for marginalized voices in climate advocacy.

Leveraging Technology for Impact

 Following years of advocacy and study, Renata founded EmpoderaClima, a climate and gender advocacy and education organization with a simple principle: knowledge is empowerment, and empowerment is equality. It originally launched as a website in 2019 using technology to democratize climate information.

“Technology is essential for EmpoderaClima because it allows us to reach people we otherwise couldn’t,” says Renata. “The scale and multiplying effect of social media and our digital database is incredibly powerful,” she adds.

By translating resources on climate and gender equity into French, Spanish and Portuguese, EmpoderaClima broke down language barriers that excluded communities from international climate discussions. And social media enabled the organization to scale rapidly, reaching more than 60,000 people across the world.

▲ The EmpoderaClima website features climate change resources in multiple languages, making them accessible to communities across Latin America and beyond.

Expanding Beyond Digital

 As EmpoderaClima grew, so did its initiatives. The organization now runs student workshops, offers climate and leadership mentorship programs for women, and leads advocacy efforts that bring young women to global stages.

Through school visits, Renata’s team takes climate education to youth in vulnerable communities, highlighting the United Nations’ Global Goals with a focus on quality education (Goal 4), gender equality (Goal 5) and climate action (Goal 13).

▲ Students in flood-impacted São Leopoldo, Brazil, learn how their climate experiences connect to global policy.

Brazil’s floods last year exposed gaps in emergency response, including services that address the needs of women and children. In response, Renata launched the Women for Climate Resilience program, where local leaders gain skills in disaster preparedness, mental health and climate adaptation, then carry the knowledge back to their communities. So far, the initiative has reached women from three regions of Brazil.

“Today I feel empowered, strengthened, renewed,” said Janaína dos Santos, a social worker in Porto Alegre, at a recent Women for Climate Resilience workshop.

▲ Women leaders participate in EmpoderaClima’s climate resilience workshop, learning skills and strategies to better prepare for future climate disasters.

Building an Inclusive Climate Future

As climate disasters become more frequent and intense, Renata says her work has never felt more important. “My dream for the future,” she says, “is expanding our reach globally and building an even bigger network of women who are empowered and ready to take action for climate justice.” Technology, she believes, has been vital to EmpoderaClima’s evolution and will be just as critical in scaling impact in the years ahead.

For Renata, the flood marks in her hometown represent not only loss, but also resilience and an opportunity to rebuild with justice at the center. Her vision is clear: a world where women and youth don’t just endure climate challenges but shape climate solutions.

Priscilla Efe Johnson is a member of Generation17, a partnership between Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), empowering young people around the world who are contributing to the Global Goals.

The first time she got her period, Efe Johnson was scared, even ashamed. “I did not know what was happening to me because nobody ever told me what to expect,” says Efe, now 24. “It was a very traumatic experience.”

Like many young girls born and raised in Kaduna State, Nigeria, she had questions about her body while growing up. But she lacked access to basic information around women’s health. It was taboo, which perpetuated a stigma across generations of women.

According to UNESCO, two out of three girls in sub-Saharan Africa lack comprehensive health knowledge and skills. As she got older, Efe became determined to break this dangerous and painful cycle of silence and shame for young girls — and she knew education through storytelling and innovation was the key.

Efe teaches girls about menstruation and feminine hygiene while leading a Xari Africa school tour in Kaduna State.

Shattering Stigma, Opening Access

Efe began visiting local schools to distribute free sanitary pads. That’s when she discovered that many girls had never used feminine hygiene products and didn’t have a safe space in their communities to talk about their experiences and ask questions.

Keeping girls in the dark about these topics can contribute to sexually transmitted diseases, gender-based violence and teen pregnancy, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the adolescent birth rate is more than twice the global average. It can also impede their schooling and economic advancement. In 2021, 23% of Nigerian girls missed school because of menstruation.

The more girls Efe met early on, through her visits to local schools, the more she connected with their experiences. “I see myself in them,” she says. “I see girls who have no one to help them understand their bodies. I see girls who desperately wish they had someone to talk to. I tell them, ‘I get it, and I’m here for you.’”

That’s what inspired Efe to start her own organisation, Xari Africa, a nonprofit that provides girls with access to reproductive and sexual health education and resources. Her mission: helping young women and girls feel empowered about their bodies and be able to make informed decisions about their health and future.

During a community event, Efe discusses her support for the Global Goals

Harnessing Innovation for Educational Equity

The organisation began on a mobile platform in 2017 where Efe connected with other young people in Kaduna State working on gender equity. This online community was empowering for her as a young entrepreneur, and it enabled her to garner the volunteers, resources and funding to officially launch Xari Africa the following year.

Today, technology continues to amplify the nonprofit’s efforts by spreading awareness about its school tours, educational materials and events through social media.  It powers their efforts to support the United Nation’s Global Goals, including ending poverty (Goal 1), delivering quality education (Goal 4), achieving gender equality and stopping violence against women and girls (Goal 5).

The school workshops cover everything from birth control to sexual boundaries and disease prevention – a first for the girls. These engaging events are also building a greater sense of community among girls and creating a supportive environment for asking sensitive questions and sharing personal, and sometimes painful, experiences. The workshops have reached more than 4,500 Nigerian students so far.

Crystal, a 15-year-old workshop participant, describes Xari Africa’s visit to her school in 2021 as transformative. “Efe was able to create a space where I could say things that were haunting me inside that I couldn’t say to anyone,” says Crystal. “Now I feel I can inspire other young girls to speak up.”

Despite her organisation’s success in Kaduna State, working in conservative and at times in hostile environments, Efe dreams of supporting more girls throughout Africa and beyond. Technology continues to extend Xari Africa’s reach. In 2023, her team launched an online academy to bridge critical gaps in health education worldwide. The growing digital library of interactive courses and imaginative animations allows parents, teachers, advocates and girls to learn about the female body privately without embarrassment or fear.

“The dream is to reach at least a million girls across Africa,” Efe says. “With technology, we can make reproductive and sexual health education more accessible, and we’ll be able to achieve our goal much faster.”

At home in Johannesburg, South Africa, a girl learns about period health using Xari Africa’s online academy.

A Creative Catalyst for Change

To make sexual health education and knowledge accessible to more adolescent girls, Xari Africa published a free menstruation guide, “Just Period It,” that covers pregnancy prevention and hygienic period practices. The nonprofit has distributed 3,500 copies of the book, which uses easy-to-follow storytelling coupled with vibrant, educational visuals to destigmatise and simplify complex topics.

Efe wanted “Just Period It” to be illuminating but also relatable for girls– taboo topics needed to be accessible, as they are an important part of growing up. So, she drew on her personal experience with period shame and touched on common misconceptions about women’s health. She worked closely with a designer on the artwork, blending informational drawings with empowering female imagery.

Xari Africa’s guidebook uses bold, inspiring imagery and an approachable, conversational tone to teach girls about their bodies.

Despite the inherent risks to her and her team’s personal safety while breaking barriers in traditional communities, Efe remains committed to the Global Goals and making the world safer and more equitable for future generations of women and girls. And, in particular, she’s ensuring that the journey from childhood to womanhood is better understood and embraced.

“This fight, this passion, is personal,” Efe says. “I advocate for health education because it’s something I never received, and I’m making a safe space for kids and teens because I didn’t have one. I want better for girls like me.”

To learn more, visit Xari Africa.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com/za

Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner since the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998. For over 25 years, athletes and fans have trusted Samsung’s transformative mobile technology to share the Olympic spirit globally and continue to shape the digital future of the Olympic Games for Beijing 2022 and beyond. The company’s commitment to the Olympic Movement will enter its fourth decade of partnership and extend through Los Angeles 2028. Samsung’s purposeful innovations in the wireless communications and computing equipment category, including the activations of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and 5G features of that equipment will change the way the world experiences the Olympic Games.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Paralympic Games

Samsung is a Worldwide Partner of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in the wireless communications and computing equipment category. Starting from Paralympic Winter Games Torino 2006, the company has proudly supported the Paralympic Movement and enabled athletes and fans around the world to share the excitement and inspiration of the Games through Samsung’s transformative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment to the Paralympic Games will extend through to Los Angeles 2028 and be celebrated through innovative mobile and computing experiences powered by purposeful innovations in the wireless communications and computing equipment category, including the activations of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and 5G features of that equipment.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that three new Young Leaders will join Generation17 – an initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – to support young changemakers working to achieve the 17 Global Goals.[1] The addition of these three Young Leaders will help educate people about critical global challenges and the solutions needed to deliver a more prosperous future by 2030.

“We are thrilled to welcome these three innovative leaders to the Galaxy community and Generation17,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “These Young Leaders will inspire the Galaxy community to make positive changes in their daily lives, with their dedication to harness technology and open possibilities for a more equitable future. Each embodies the ingenuity and innovative spirit that we need to engage more people in helping to achieve the Global Goals.”

The New Young Leaders

For the first time, Samsung and UNDP conducted an open call that rallied thousands of passionate young people from all over the world to apply to join Generation17. This new group of Generation17 Young Leaders, chosen from a competitive pool of candidates, will add new perspectives to the initiative and their projects will bring forth new solutions in education, skills and training and health equity.

Zubair Junjunia (United Kingdom): Social entrepreneur and founder of ZNotes – a global learning platform enabling fair and equal access to education that has impacted four million students globally.

“I was inspired to build an education platform after witnessing the uneven playing field of education. We must empower youth to create an equitable education system, which is why I am excited to join Generation17 and bring awareness to global education challenges and inspire young people to stand up for causes they believe in.”

Priscilla Efe Johnson (Nigeria): Gender equality activist working to de-stigmatise women’s health through Xari Africa – a female-led organisation providing girls with access to reproductive and sexual health resources.

“Reproductive and sexual health is everybody’s business. This fight, this passion, is personal. That is why I am thrilled to be selected as a member of Generation17, working in partnership with Samsung and UNDP to elevate my voice and expand access and education to women’s healthcare across the globe.”

Mock Yi Jun (Singapore): Education leader and co-founder of Advisory Singapore – a youth-led charity dedicated to empowering young people from all walks of life to make informed career and education choices.

“Every person, no matter their background or socio-economic status, deserves a chance to pursue their aspirations, Generation17 is the perfect platform to enable more young people like me to empower individuals to take their education and career journey into their own hands.”

Amplifying Youth Leadership on a Global Stage

Samsung and UNDP launched Generation17 in October 2020, with the mission to magnify the voices and impactful work of young people accelerating progress for the Global Goals. Since the launch, Samsung and UNDP have gathered 17 Young Leaders across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America working on issues that encompass all 17 of the Global Goals.

Together, Samsung and UNDP provide the Young Leaders with mentorship and the latest Samsung Galaxy technology as well as access to agenda-setting events and other opportunities to elevate their platforms and connect with their peers and cross-sector, global decision makers. Generation17 Young Leaders have participated in various events, including Samsung’s Unpacked, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, Stockholm +50 and the United Nations General Assembly.

“To achieve the Global Goals, we need authentic action from young people – those on the frontlines of today’s most pressing issues – to build back progress and support for each goal,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “Through our partnership with Samsung, we aim to foster the growth of these Young Leaders as they address critical issues such as the climate crisis and human rights concerns to build a more resilient society.”

Three Generation17 Leaders at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

Generation17 is grounded in Samsung and UNDP’s commitment to leverage technology as a force for good. The two organisations first partnered in 2019 to create the Samsung Global Goals app – an education and donation-based mobile app that informs people about the Global Goals and encourages them to take action just by using their Galaxy devices. Since then, the app has been installed on nearly 300 million Galaxy devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. It has enabled the Galaxy community to generate more than $10 million USD for UNDP’s work to promote environmental and social resilience around the world.

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

[1] The 17 Global Goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and provide a blueprint to end poverty, protect the environment, reduce economic inequality and ensure peace and justice for all.

“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 Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “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 combatting inequality and human rights issues and educating their generation on the Global Goals across Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe:

• Daniel Calarco (Brazil): A 23-year-old human rights activis who founded the International Youth Watch to create better opportunities for young people from marginalised communities.
• Nadine Khaouli (Lebanon): A 25-year-old community activist who leads disaster relief efforts for Lebanon in response to the 2020 Beirut Port explosion and the COVID-19 pandemic through her organisation Kafe be Kafak
• Yejin Choi (South Korea): A 26-year-old cognitive therapist turned CEO who founded DoBrain, an AI-based mobile app that aims to improve early-education opportunities for children with disabilities
• Yurii Romashko (Ukraine): A 28-year-old transparency advocate who founded the think tank Institute of Analysis and Advocacy that empowers his community to make more informed, data-based decisions in their daily lives.

The Second Cohort of Generation17 Young Leaders

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 Global Goals.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened generational divides around the world, and it’s important now more than ever that younger generations have the opportunities and resources to be heard and to be active participants in the 2030 Sustainable Development

Agenda,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “Together, with Samsung, we’re 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 am excited to see them lead us on a path towards recovery and resilience.”

Elevating the Voice of a Generation

Generation17 was born in October 2020 with the mission to inspire an entire generation of tech savvy young individuals to achieve the Global Goals in less than 10 years. Since launch, an inaugural cohort of Young Leaders, including Máximo Mazzocco, Sadya Touré, Shomy Chowdhury and Tafara Makaza, have championed the effort, using Samsung’s and UNDP’s support to broaden their reach.

Over the last few months, Samsung and UNDP increased the visibility and impact of their work through mentorship with the UNDP Youth Global Programme and the Global Policy Network, participation in global and regional development-related events, such as the #Youth4ClimateLive series and the Karma Dialogue, and engagement with country offices and partners.

Samsung also equipped the Young Leaders with the latest Galaxy technology to better connect them with their peers and raised awareness of their work across its global network using personalised content and the reach of its online channels. Exemplifying the need to act together, the Young Leaders leveraged their expanded network to exchange ideas and best practices and collaborate for peer-to-peer engagements. Support for the first cohort will continue throughout the year, starting with participation in the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2021.

Both groups of Young Leaders will immerse themselves in the seamless and connected Galaxy ecosystem and use their Galaxy devices to collaborate online and brainstorm innovative solutions to their shared challenges, ultimately addressing the diversity and complexity of the Global Goals and expanding their network of  strong activists.

The Young Leaders will continue to engage with the Global Goals using the Samsung Global Goals app, which is installed on over 100 million Galaxy smartphones and has provided more than US $1.5M in donations for UNDP. The app received an Honorable Mention in the SDG Action Awards and was an Honoree for Software & Mobile Apps, Tech for a Better World in the CES 2020 Innovations Award. It was also shortlisted in the Reuters’ Responsible Business Awards for SDG Impact.