The Junior Diplomat commuter program in NYC invites middle school students to explore the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the strategies behind achieving them. Participants engage in interactive simulations, role-playing exercises, and team-based problem-solving challenges that emphasize negotiation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Students research SDG progress in real-world contexts, tackle interconnected global issues, and design a new SDG for post-2030 when the SDGs are set to end. The program culminates in a Global Summit, where students present their proposals and reflect on how they can take action as young changemakers.

Through hands-on interactions with social impact leaders, including a former national officer and representatives from the International Rescue Committee, students gain a front-row view of how changemakers create real-world impact. Visits to environmental and community organizations, combined with exposure to global sustainability initiatives, provide students with insight into careers in international relations, diplomacy, environmental science, policy, and nonprofit leadership. Participants learn the skills and strategies needed to drive meaningful change both locally in NYC and around the world.