At Echo Change, we believe that young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow; they’re the changemakers of today. Fueling the passion, creativity, and resilience of youth, we take on global challenges and inspire real change.
Echo Change started with a simple idea in 2014: young people don’t need permission to lead; they just need a platform. During the UNESCO’s ESD Youth Conference in Okayama, Japan in 2014, a group of young leaders brought this concept to implementation with Echo Change, a platform for, by, and led by Youth. Bringing together youth leaders across the globe, Echo Change grew from individuals to chapters, with the first Chapters launched in Morocco, Pakistan, and Ukraine.
First Founding Chapters
Through initiatives like Future Action Summit and Youth Charter: Advancing the Global Development Agenda Beyond 2030, we are helping young people everywhere lead the way toward the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond. Our Global Change Ambassador Programme carries this work into local communities across the world, empowering young changemakers to lead grassroots action where they live. And through our growing network of chapters spanning multiple continents, that local passion connects into something bigger; a truly global movement, built by youth, for youth.
We have grown a lot since then, but the idea hasn’t changed. Echo Change is a global youth-led community where changemakers, practitioners, academics, and partners come together to turn everyday passion into long-lasting change.
Our Mission
Our Vision
To empower young leaders globally to drive the UN Sustainable Development Goals through innovative partnerships, transformative leadership, and impactful community action, building a sustainable and inclusive world by 2030.
The Beginning
Youth Leaders globally envisioned a youth-led platform for global change.
First Chapters
Echo Change formally launched its first Chapters in Morocco, Pakistan, and Ukraine. More countries joined as chapters grew their presence in Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, and Nepal. We also launched our Volunteer Program to include youth volunteers globally.
Forging Partnerships
Echo Change partnered on the Draw Disability Project with the UN Global Education First Initiative, Globi, and the Youth Advocacy Group, and took part in UNESCO MGIEP’s Talk Across Generations. Chapters organised conferences on Civil Society Engagement in Sustainable Development and the Islamic Financial System, launched Draw Disability campaigns across Morocco, Canada, and Ukraine, and forged new partnerships with Their World and We Art Ukraine, including the Up for School campaign and COY 11 ahead of COP 22.
Echoing Impact Globally
Echo Change took part in the UNESCO Forum for Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education and the Annual Global Action Programme, actively contributing to SDG 4.7 advocacy and policy development. The Rabat Chapter supported the youth space at COP 22 in Morocco, while our Pakistan team partnered with the National Youth Coalition for Education to advocate for Article 25-A on the Right to Education.
Shaping SDGs
Echo Change was represented by its leadership at UNESCO’s ESD, Peace, and Sustainability Week. Across the network, chapters collaborated on projects addressing gender equality, climate action, and youth empowerment.
Echo for Education
Our Pakistan Chapter launched Taleem Safar under the National Youth Coalition for Education (NYCE) to promote Education for All.
Revamping Echo Change
Echo Change redefined its mission around regeneration, restoring and enhancing communities through youth leadership development. In Pakistan, a National Youth Coalition for Peace (NYCP) was formed to unite youth-led organisations, and the chapter ran the Amn Qayaam fellowship on Peace Through Mysticism, Culture, and Arts.
Rebranding The Echo
Echo Change established a partnership with Brhythm Creatives as its Digital Partner. Together they rebranded and revamped Echo Change’s digital identity and launched a new website supporting the regenerative approach.
Relaunching Initiatives
Echo Change relaunched its volunteering campaign as the Global Change Ambassador Program, a flagship initiative to empower ambassadors for change. The movement also expanded into Ghana, strengthening Echo Change’s presence across Africa.
Resonating Globally
Over 600 ambassadors from more than 81 countries joined the movement. The Ghana Chapter hosted a virtual Leadership Training Workshop and a UN SDGs workshop, and empowered children at the King Jesus Charity Home with mindset workshops and essential supplies. In Pakistan, in collaboration with Beydaar Society, the chapter ran residential fellowships on Peace Entrepreneurship and on bridging the gap between young religious and civil society leaders.
Countdown to 2030
Echo Change hosted the first-ever Future Action Summit in Kuala Lumpur under “Countdown to 2030,” uniting 135 young leaders from 61+ nations, followed by a Bangkok edition with 150 delegates from 40+ countries. The Pakistan Chapter ran a 16 Days of Activism campaign on gender equality, and we launched the first-ever Youth Charter Beyond 2030.
Beyond 2030
The Future Action Summit landed in Sydney under “Beyond Goals: Youth Shaping 2030,” hosting 70+ youth leaders from 30+ nationalities, and returned to Bangkok for Thailand 2.0 with 100+ delegates from 35+ nationalities. Echo Change strengthened its global presence through expanded partnerships, youth networks, and international leadership opportunities.
At Echo Change we believe in learning from indigenous concepts to work towards global goals.
Collective Strength and Responsibility. From the Swahili concept of Ujima, this principle promotes shared progress, where each individual uplifts the whole through community support and collaboration.
Reciprocity and Balance for Lasting Peace
Unity in Action
Resilience and Growth
Grit and Determination
Seventh Generation Principle
The Spirit of Generosity
Knowledge and Wisdom
Trust and Guardianship
