🏆Speak Up, Act Now: The Global Youth Video Contest Winners

🏆 Contest Winners 🏆

First Place: Urim Kang (USA, 11th)

Second Place: Victoria Maeng (USA, 9th)

Third Place: Jeehoo Shin (Indonesia, 10th)

Honorary Mentions:

Joyce Wong (China, 10th)

Seoha Kim (USA, 11th)

In a world brimming with young minds ready to tackle pressing social issues, the response to the GEL's International Video Contest has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. We are thrilled to share that we received over a hundred submissions from students across 16 diverse countries, including the USA, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and China. The quality, passion, and thoughtful analysis embedded in each video left us deeply moved.

The videos shed light on an array of societal challenges, illuminating the concerns that resonate deeply with our global youth. It was heartening to see the depth and breadth of topics that were explored. From school-wide to world-wide—many thought-provoking themes emerged from the video applications.

In every submission, we witnessed an unyielding commitment to unraveling the complexities of these issues. Each video radiated a unique perspective, shaped by personal experiences and beliefs, making the selection process all the more challenging for our esteemed panel of judges. Above all, the judges prioritized how well students articulated the problems they addressed and, more importantly, how confidently and thoughtfully they proposed solutions. The contest was not about the magnitude of an issue but rather the students’ ability to identify opportunities for change within their own realities and take meaningful steps toward addressing them.

Without further ado, it is our honor to introduce the exceptional minds who emerged as the winners of the GEL's International Video Contest:

1st Place:

Winner: Urim Kang

Chosen Problem: Inclusivity and equal opportunities for English Language Learners in schools Solution: Language Bridge Club --To provide a bridge between English learners and non-ELs; providing opportunities for English learners to adjust to school events and classes

Country: USA

2nd Place:

Winner: Victoria Maeng

Chosen Problem: Breaking the stigma around diabetes and education for early diagnosis and prevention

Solution: Blog to raise awareness; Public Health Club; Research for diabetes prevention; Fundraising for early testing

Country: USA

3rd Place:

Winner: Jeehoo Shin

Chosen Problem: Education disparity due to lack of access to internet

Proposed Solution: Space-based Internet: using satellites for global connectivity

Country: Indonesia

Honorary Mentions:

In addition to the winners, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to three exceptional videos that have earned honorary mentions. These videos also stood out for their unique perspectives, in-depth research, and inspiring calls to action. They were chosen for the authenticity of their engagement with the issues they presented and the sense of urgency in the solutions they proposed. Passion is not always measured by eloquence alone—it is often most powerful when conveyed through genuine conviction and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Honoree: Joyce Wong

Chosen Problem: Food waste and unequal distribution of resources among regions in China

Proposed Solution: Partnerships with restaurants and markets to distribute surplus food; food drives; and raising awareness

Country: China

Honoree: Seoha Kim

Chosen Problem: Discrimination through food due to lack of representation of various food in the US

Proposed Solution: Food fairs and drives in local market spaces to increase exposure to food and culture from around the world

Country: USA

We would also like to express our gratitude to all participants for your passion, dedication, and thought-provoking contributions. Your videos have amplified our belief in the potential of the youth to steer our society toward a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage, learn, and make a difference. The journey doesn't end here; it's just the beginning.

Warm regards,

Global Emerging Leaders