ANOTHER win for CARATs and, of course, the youth!
Almost three months after the internationally recognized K-pop group, SEVENTEEN, released their album “17 IS RIGHT HERE,” and two months after they celebrated their ninth anniversary on May 26, the 13-member boy group achieved another huge success after they were recognized as the Goodwill Ambassador for Youth of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Yesterday, June 26, UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay officially announced SEVENTEEN as UNESCO’s first-ever Goodwill Ambassador for Youth at their headquarters in Paris, making them the first K-pop group to be appointed with this title.
“This group has become a symbol for millions of young people around the world, to whom we transmit positive energy and the spirit of leadership,” said Azoulay in a press release by UNESCO. The UNESCO director-general added that this recognition will contribute the means for the youth’s freedom of expression and to take the initiative to stand up and address challenges in the 21st century.
On behalf of SEVENTEEN, member Joshua Hong said in his acceptance speech, “To give back what we receive from all of you, we are determined to use our voice to create a global youth community made stronger through mutual love and support. As the Ambassador for youth, we will spread the power of companionship and contribute to building supportive youth communities for a better future we envision.”
SEVENTEEN is working with UNESCO on the grant scheme “Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being.” Hong said that SEVENTEEN will donate $1 million to support the youth’s creative ideas and strong determination. The joint grant program will focus on the activities of project leaders aged from 18 to 30 years old around the world, to address challenges affecting the well-being and development of the youth to contribute to their communities.
“From today, all the youth are our team and our crew. Please know that you’re a part of us. And your dreams are also SEVENTEEN’s dreams,” said Hong as he ended his speech.
Now that SEVENTEEN is officially part of the UNESCO family, the 13 members have also become responsible for promoting UNESCO’s awareness campaigns, events, values, and actions through their talents, voices, and performances to continue making a positive impact on the youths around the world.
In August 2022, SEVENTEEN collaborated with the Korean National Commission for UNESCO with the “#GoingTogether” and “#EducationCanChange” global campaigns where they promoted the importance of education and encouraged the youths to be active in educational activities.
On the group’s 7th anniversary, they also gave a generous donation to the commission to support the changes in the education system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On November 14, 2023, SEVENTEEN became global speakers and performed their hit songs “_WORLD,” “Darl+ing,” “Headliner,” “God of Music” and “Together,” in the 13th edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum. The forum focused on art and activism to highlight the social impacts of climate change and how the youth play as key actors in achieving an equitable climate transition.
