35Champions
A Generation of Humanity Champions
35Champions: a global generation of young leaders equipped with the capabilities that will matter most in today’s world: empathy, resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to manage relationships and resolve conflict.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
It draws on more than 50 years of experience in human development, shaped by work across business, education, healthcare, Holocaust education and post-genocide reconciliation in Rwanda.
What does it mean to be human — and why does it matter?
At its heart is a simple belief: the world changes when people change how they treat each other.
The capacity to act for the good of others exists within everyone. Champions helps activate and strengthen that capacity, creating a movement of young Humanity Champions: the 35Champions Movement.
Stories of Humanity
Humanity is not simply about teaching skills or knowledge.
It is much more. It is who we are, how we relate and what we do.
Through stories of humanity, small-group learning and practical tools, participants grow in confidence, character and purpose. They are encouraged to write their own story of who they want to become — and then live that story.
Becoming a Champion
Means strengthening others: in their family, college, workplace, club or community.
This creates a ripple effect — a movement of young people who make humanity visible through how they live, lead and serve.
Pilot for a Global Movement of Young Humanity Champions
The Issues
1. Global Online Cohorts
1. Global Online Cohorts
Young people are facing a pandemic of hopelessness. Stagnant living standards, housing pressures, loneliness, the scars of COVID-19 and a “rejection economy” of closed doors are fueling despair. Many feel locked out of the future — when the world urgently needs their courage, creativity and humanity.
1. Global Online Cohorts
1. Global Online Cohorts
1. Global Online Cohorts
Up to 250 young people from multiple countries join an interactive Champions program focused on empathy, understanding, trust and resilience.
2. Humanity Champions
1. Global Online Cohorts
3. International Retreat
Participants grow their leadership capabilities, complete practical challenges and become Champions in their own communities.
3. International Retreat
4. Ripple Effects in Communities
3. International Retreat
A selection of Champions attend an international retreat to deepen learning, build global networks and become ambassadors of the program.
4. Ripple Effects in Communities
4. Ripple Effects in Communities
4. Ripple Effects in Communities
Champions coach peers, they initiate projects and expand the movement of young humanity champions - creating connection, hope and opportunity.
Verified Humanity Certificate - Transforming Opportunity
Digital Humanity Badge - More Precious than Gold
Participants will receive a Digital Champions Badge demonstrating their humanity, strengthening opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and community building.
1. Turning human values into economic value
The opportunity is to translate humanity: trust, service and social contribution into visible, measurable value.
2. A currency of contribution
The Badge will create a practical way to reward contribution, signal character, and build a new kind of social capital rooted in trust and responsibility.
3. Humanity as the performance multiplier
Recognising qualities that drive sustainable performance: empathy, resilience, trust, courage, accountability and the ability to work with others. Critical in workplaces, especially in an AI-shaped economy where human skills become more valuable, not less.
4. Recognition builds opportunity
For funders, it creates a transparent way to track participation; connects young people to employers, mentors and further opportunities.
5. Self-Funding Model for Humanity
Creating a verified badge will create a self-funding model because it turns the outcome of Champions — changed behaviour, human skills, contribution and leadership — into a trusted, portable signal that demonstrates proven value - to funders, employers and others.
6. Pay-It-Forward Model
Young people join, grow in confidence, purpose and human skills - stay connected as Champions and Ambassadors - becoming mentors and future benefactors — helping fund and guide future cohorts.
Champions becomes a self-sustaining cycle of hope, opportunity and humanity.
More precious than gold because the badge represents something money cannot buy: a young person’s growth, character, courage, contribution — their humanity. Gold stores financial value; humanity is a compounding asset.
Through the ripple effect, 35Champions become catalysts who help whole communities thrive — a true investment in the future.
Human Transformation
It changed how I show up
Leadership is not about being the loudest
Leadership is not about being the loudest
I’m no longer a passenger in my own life. I choose how I show up — in my friendships, my family, my studies and my community. Champions gave me perspective and understanding. I feel more confident, more relaxed and more able to become the person I want to be.
Leadership is not about being the loudest
Leadership is not about being the loudest
Leadership is not about being the loudest
Leadership is not about being noticed — it’s about noticing others. It’s about listening, really listening; encouraging people, taking responsibility and creating the world I would like to see.
I came away with a sense of purpose
Leadership is not about being the loudest
Humanity is a choice - and small choices matter
I came away with a deeper sense of purpose — who I am, why I am here and how I want to live. Champions gave me clarity about the person I want to become and the difference I want to make.
Humanity is a choice - and small choices matter
Humanity is a choice - and small choices matter
Humanity is a choice - and small choices matter
Champions helped me see that choice is the starting point. I am not fixed by my circumstances, pressure or past behaviour. I can decide who I want to become — and begin living that choice every day.
100% want to lead a life of service
Humanity is a choice - and small choices matter
100% want to lead a life of service
I found my voice. I was able to apply the lessons in my workplace, and I now understand how to relate to people — to really understand them. Champions helped me see that leadership is about compassion, not always leading with an ‘iron fist’. People around me noticed. It helped me decide to lead a life of service — as me, in my way.
Partners - Creating a Global Champions Movement
World Youth Clubs
Global network supporting community-based youth organisations, operating across 65+ countries, 5,000+ affiliate clubs and 1.5 million young people.
UK National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs
150-year old, voluntary youth organisation, supporting local Boys & Girls Clubs - comprising 3,000 clubs, 300,000 young people and 15,000 volunteers.
Y20 - Youth Forum of G20 Nations
Official youth engagement group of the G20 nations, bringing young leaders together to develop policy recommendations for G20 leaders. The next forum will be in Washington DC, August 2026.
AlleeOop
AlleeOop is a youth engagement and learning platform that connects young people with Vision Coaches, and rewards and career-learning pathways. Founder Al O’Bannon’s vision is to connect youth with practical opportunity, trusted adult support and scalable learning pathways.
AdvanceNet Labs
“Technology for Good”, focused on empowering people through education, workforce development and digital platforms. It offers 100+ workforce pathways and 5,000+ professional and life-skills courses, helping job seekers build skills, credentials and connections to employers.
Institute for Economics & Peace
Based in Sydney, Australia, a global think tank using data to measure peace, conflict risk and societal resilience - creators of the Global Peace Index, reframing peace as a measurable driver of human flourishing, economic strength and better-functioning societies.