Global affairs, first half of 2026
First half of 2026
Human Duties Rally
The global conversation has long been dominated by a single question: What are we entitled to? This quarter, the JCI Global Affairs Team shifted the dialogue. While continuing to champion the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthen our connection with the United Nations, we have doubled down on a complementary framework: Human Duties.
JCI presents the Universal Declaration of Human Duties for Leaders, empowering young people to act based on individual and collective responsibilities. These seven principles apply to individuals and institutions across government, business, and civil society. At JCI, we support those who assume the duty to lead their lives and work with respect and responsibility—for the prosperity of humanity, today and tomorrow.
This year, that vision became action. In January 2026, JCI Hong Kong, China officially launched the Human Duties Rally, a seven-month campaign running through July. The rally invites members to learn and practice one Human Duty principle each month through simple daily actions, photo submissions, and short quizzes. It is grassroots accountability made practical. And we encourage everyone to take part.
Across the globe, events are bringing these principles to life. One particularly memorable gathering took place on January 21, 2026: “Thriving as JCI Moms: Mastering Balance and Success!” The event brought together dedicated JCI parents and their children for an evening of sharing, connection, and inspiration. Participants exchanged real-life experiences on balancing motherhood, career, and active JCI involvement. The warmth was palpable. The highlight came when the children presented a handmade necklace to JCI President Alejandra Castillo—a small, heartfelt token that spoke volumes about gratitude, service, and mutual respect. Attendees left feeling seen, supported, and empowered.
That single evening, full of laughter and honest conversation, was more than a networking event. It was a living example of what Human Duties look like in practice: respect across generations, care for the vulnerable, and a commitment to building community from the ground up.
But the JCI Moms gathering is just one of many. From January through July, rallies, workshops, and community actions across Hong Kong and beyond will continue to turn the seven duties into daily habits.
Leadership is not just a title. It is a daily choice to act responsibly. Join the Human Duties Rally. Take the quiz. Submit your photo. And help us build a world where rights and responsibilities rise together.
JCI women at the United Nations
Leadership is not given. It is carried.
This March, JCI carried it into the halls of the United Nations.
The newly established JCI Women in Leadership Commission has one urgent mission: to strengthen inclusive leadership by creating spaces where women leaders grow, share, and inspire the next generation. Because true leadership reflects the full diversity of the communities it serves.
During the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at UN Headquarters in New York, a high-level JCI delegation made its mark. Led by JCI President Alejandra Castillo, Secretary General Elvin Teo, and National Vice President Rycho Cheuk—who also serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Women in Leadership Commission—the team proved that young leaders bridge global policy and local action.
The delegation solidified alliances with UN Youth, UN Women, other UN agencies, and public organizations. They also engaged in strategic dialogues with the Permanent Missions of Turkey and Japan, and held productive consular meetings with the Consulate General of Bolivia and the Philippines in New York. These bilateral meetings showcased JCI's unique ability to mobilize young people toward the 2030 Agenda.
CSW70 Side Event: From Advocacy to Action
JCI hosted a side event at CSW70: the Female Leadership Forum. The forum brought together close to a thousand registered participants, with speakers from the Ban Ki-moon Centre, UN Women, SDG Academy, AIESEC, and more. Together, they dismantled systemic barriers preventing women from advancing into leadership, offering practical models for driving inclusive economies.
Next Milestone: Global Youth Summit
Join 260 changemakers in New York from July 29–31, 2026, for the Global Youth Summit. Held at UN Headquarters and the Japan Society in NYC, the Summit will feature three days of diplomacy simulations, interactive workshops, and direct engagement with the world's most pressing challenges.
The world is watching. JCI is ready. The question is: will you be in the room where it happens?