By Yadeesh, Youth Representative, MGCY India & Children and Youth International
“Education doesn’t just inform—it transforms. It opens eyes, sparks change, and gives voice to dreams that can change the world.”
In April 2025, I had the incredible honour of representing India as a Youth Delegate of the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, held at the UN Headquarters in New York. Just weeks later, I was humbled to receive another global invitation—to represent Children and Youth International at the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for the Sustainable Development Goals.
As I reflect on this journey, one institution has played a particularly pivotal role in shaping and enabling these milestones: Rishihood University, New Delhi.
The Spark: Rishihood’s 15-Day Public Policy Bootcamp
My journey to the United Nations began not with an application or speech, but in a classroom, surrounded by passionate changemakers at Rishihood University’s 15-day Public Policy Bootcamp. Those two weeks were intensive, enlightening, and deeply transformative.
We were immersed in real-world policy issues, dissecting laws, debating frameworks, and crafting solutions that could impact lives. What stood out wasn’t just the quality of the instruction, it was the mindset Rishihood nurtured: a belief that policy isn’t something done in faraway capitals, but something that starts with us, here and now.
“Rishihood didn’t just teach me what policy is rather it taught me what policy can do when driven by youth with purpose.”
I entered the bootcamp curious; I left with conviction. I began to see the gap in youth representation not just in national policy, but also in global governance. I realized how voices from India’s vibrant, diverse youth community deserved to be heard at international forums. That realization was the spark.
The People: More than Peers—My Tribe
One of the most profound takeaways from the bootcamp wasn’t just what I learned—but who I met.
I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most insightful, driven, and compassionate young minds. They weren’t just fellow students—they became my mentors, collaborators, and closest well-wishers. Even today, they remain some of the best people I’ve ever met, constant sources of strength, clarity, and inspiration. These are the kind of connections that don’t fade with time—they evolve, deepen, and continue to shape my journey.
“The real impact of an educational experience is often measured not in degrees—but in the people it connects you with.”
Stepping onto the Global Stage: ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025
When I was selected as a Youth Representative of MGCY India, the responsibility was immense, but I felt ready. I had been equipped not just with knowledge, but with clarity and courage.
At ECOSOC, I participated in global policy dialogues on themes including climate action, inclusive education, and digital equity.
“At ECOSOC, I didn’t just attend—I contributed. I wasn’t just a student—I was a changemaker. That shift happened at Rishihood.”
A Second Global Invitation: UN STI Forum 2025
Shortly after ECOSOC, I received another honour: an invitation to represent Children and Youth International at the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the SDGs, a high-level event where global leaders explore how innovation can drive sustainable development.
At the STI Forum, I will engage with leaders in science, technology, and education to advocate for ethical innovation, equity in tech infrastructure, and youth-led innovation ecosystems in the Global South.
This invitation is more than recognition, it’s a responsibility to carry the voices, aspirations, and ideas of young Indians onto the global stage once again.
Rishihood University: A Launchpad for Global Impact
Everything I’ve achieved in the past year traces back to the solid foundation laid at Rishihood University. What makes Rishihood unique is its ability to blend academic rigor with real-world application. The Public Policy Bootcamp didn’t just give me content; it gave me context. It helped me connect my background in project management and data analytics with governance and impact.
“At Rishihood, I learned that leadership isn’t about where you stand, it’s about what you stand for.”
The university created an environment that challenged me to think, to question, and to act. The bootcamp’s interdisciplinary structure, hands-on policy simulations, and direct interaction with civil society leaders made policy personal. It made it real.
The Transformative Power of Education
My story is a testament to what happens when education meets empowerment. It wasn’t just the information I gained; it was the inspiration I found, the skills I developed, and the community I became part of.
“When education is designed to empower, it becomes a tool not just for personal growth, but for societal transformation.”
Rishihood’s philosophy, rooted in purpose, character, and nation-building, resonates deeply with the demands of this generation. In a time when youth feel increasingly disconnected from governance, Rishihood provided a bridge, a way to engage meaningfully with systems of power and change.
A Message to Future Changemakers
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t need a title to create impact, you need intention. Start where you are. Learn deeply. Act boldly. And surround yourself with institutions and mentors that believe in your vision.
Rishihood believed in me before I had ever stepped onto the global stage. It gave me the tools, the platform, and the mindset to think globally and act locally.
Now, as I prepare for the STI Forum, I carry it forward, with pride, with purpose, and with a vision of building a world where youth aren’t just invited to the table rather, they help design it.
“The classroom is where the world begins. And when education is done right, it doesn’t just prepare you for the future, it prepares you to shape it.”
Thank you, Rishihood University, for helping me shape mine.
Yadeesh Kumbalathil Ramesh