Young changemakers team up to champion global goals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – Samsung Global Newsroom

Together with the IOC Young Leaders Programme, Samsung is demonstrating how sport and technology can empower young leaders to drive global change and create a fairer future.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games was a memorable gathering — a celebration of human strength, perseverance and discipline, while demonstrating inclusivity in sport and beyond. More than a sporting event, the Paralympics are a platform that unites people to make meaningful progress towards a better future.

If many young people around the world strive for itand To create a better future for their generation, technology and sports have become powerful tools.l tools to promote social inclusion and cultural exchange. Samsung Electronics, a WWorldwide Olympic and Paralympic partner in wireless communications and computing equipment, believes that open collaboration and innovative technology can break down barriers and unite people across borders, languages ​​and cultures.

Building on this spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, Samsung Newsroom brought together Generation17 Young Leaders Shomy Chowdhury And Zubair Junjuniaand the young leaders of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jessie Niles And Omar Bassyounifor a series of assignments at Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung | Champs-Elysees 125 last week.

Young leaders advance the global goals Tthrough cross-sector partnerships

The four Young Leaders were united by their shared commitment to social change that advances the Global Goals, each bringing their own unique perspectives shaped by their diverse backgrounds and innovative approaches to solving global challenges close to their hearts. From promoting quality education and well-being to championing sustainability and reducing inequalities, their initiatives demonstrateD the impact of young changemakers when supported by partnerships across sectors and international organisations.

“By bringing together new perspectives and resources from different sectors, we can create innovative solutions that address complex global challenges,” Junjunia said. “My work with ZNotes has shown what can be achieved when technology and community efforts come together to remove barriers of socioeconomic background and create equal access to quality education. Together, we can amplify our efforts to advance the Global Goals.”

“Collaboration across sectors has been key to Ready in Five‘s growth. By working with educational institutions and corporate organizations, we integrate and stimulate movement into daily activities to promote well-being and drive social change,” Niles shared. “This approach bridges the gap between different stakeholders in sport, education and business, and shows that the most innovative solutions emerge when we unite different perspectives.“

▲ (Left to right) Generation17 Young Leaders Shomy Chowdhury and Zubair Junjunia, and IOC Young Leaders Omar Bassyouni and Jessie Niles share their thoughts on creating social impact and advancing the Global Goals.

Game Changers: The intersection of sports, education and emerging technology

During a panelthe Young Leaders explored the role of sport and technology in promoting accessibility, equality and sustainabilityThey delved into how innovative technology, such as adaptive sports technology and wearable devices, can improve the quality of life of people with disabilities And to makeand making sports more accessible and powerful.

Johannes Floors (Para-athletics, Germany) of Team Samsung Galaxy — two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world record holder and silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games — shared how technology is providing access to disability and accessibility information.

“When I was growing up, my parents didn’t have the possibility to search the internet for the right orthopedic surgeons for me. WWhen I had my amputation surgery, social media wasn’t as widespread, and there was limited access to learn more about disabilities. But now you can look up anything on the internet or on social media to educate yourself,” Floors shared.Thanks to technologyI have received more messages the past week from parents of children with the same disability as me than ever before. It means the world to know that I can help people with disabilities and inspire others.”

Bassyouni highlighted how technology and data analytics support para-athletes. “Every athlete, whether disabled or not, has strengths and weaknesses. Technology helps identify these strengths and provides insights to improve them, such as which prosthetics work best or which training maximizes performance. Sport is not just about the game. It is about creating an inclusive space where everyone feels valued, regardless of their ability. It is very important that we strive for equal access for everyone in every corner of the world.”

Chowdhury shared how digital platforms are improving access. “Through Awareness360, we have empowered over 30,000 young people to take action and connect with those who are often left behind. Platforms like the Samsung Global Goals App have been crucial in increasing our impact. I have met many young changemakers who discovered my story through the app that creates awareness and funds to the Global goals — “help more people join the global movement for positive change.”

▲ Generation17 Young Leaders, IOC Young Leaders and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games silver medalist Johannes Floors gathered for a panel during the Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung | Champs-Elysees 125.

Embracing ‘Open Aalways wins’

The engagement between Generation17 and the IOC Young Leaders underscored the critical role of youth leadership in shaping a fairer world. While global sporting events like the Paralympics inspire global unity, technology is acting as a catalyst for innovation and a solution to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

According to Floors, technology and sports may seem like two different worlds, but when they come together, they have the power to create lasting, positive change on a global scale. By embracing the mindset of openness, we exchange information, show our values, create memories and celebrate victories. All of this comes together through sports, and technology has made it easier than ever.

By working together, Samsung and the IOC have shown how openness and collaboration – core values ​​of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – can change the world for the better.

▲ (From left) Omar Bassyouni, Zubair Junjunia, Johannes Floors of Team Germany, Shomy Chowdhury and Jessie Niles pose for a victory selfie with para-athlete Johannes Floors of Team Germany using the Galaxy Z Flip6’s Show Palm feature.

Raising the voice of a generation To Achieving the global goals

Generation17a joint initiative between Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), amplifies the voices of young leaders striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. Samsung and the UNDP provide mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they continue their work. The initiative removes barriers for Generation17 Young Leaders to engage in public affairs, and Young Leaders have attended notable events such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, COP and Climate Week. Generation17 has also strengthened participation in the Samsung Global Goals app, which users and teaches them on ways to the Global goals.

IOC Young Leaders Programme Cto attributeand to Olympism 365 Days a Iear

Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders programme enables young people to harness the power of sportS to make a positive difference in their communities. The programme contributes to Olympism365, the IOC’s approach to using sportS as an important facilitatorS of the Global goalsand specifically for Olympism365’s innovation portfolio which aims to identify, sustain and scale innovative sports-based approaches that deliver concrete impactS in target communities.

WWith the support of the IOC, these inspiring young people have implemented more than 160 sports-led projects all over the world — promoting education and livelihoods, equality and inclusion, health, peacebuilding and sustainability — Unpleasant more than 37,000 people helped.

For more information, visit IOC Young Leaders Programme and the Olympism365 Strategy.