LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear colleagues,

As global headlines point increasingly toward fragmentation—rising nationalism, protectionism, and fractured multilateralism—many institutions are questioning whether global cooperation remains viable. At JA Worldwide and across the JA network, our lived experience tells a different story. We are not only surviving in this environment, we’re demonstrating that our style of global collaboration is thriving . . .

Read the rest of Asheesh's letter.

STAFF ACTION ITEMS

CATCH UP ON GLC VIRTUAL 2025

GLC Virtual 2025 brought the entire JA network together for four days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. With more than 75 speakers and over 30 sessions presented by voices from all six JA regions, we explored new ways to lead, grow, and innovate together.

We explored practical solutions and shared bold ideas for the future, including volunteer engagement, alumni leadership, AI in education, inclusive entrepreneurship, and more. Across regions and roles, the conference reinforced our shared mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Visit OneJA to . . .

Claim your GLC badges
Watch (or rewatch) GLC sessions
Access your GLC swag bag

You can also watch and share stakeholder session recordings on jaworldwide.org.

REGISTER FOR GLC RIO

We officially opened registration for GLC Rio during the Service Awards ceremony on Day 3. For the first time ever, we’re bringing together four powerful events in one unforgettable experience: The JA Americas Company of the Year competition, JA Americas Regional Board meeting, and JA Worldwide Board of Governors meeting join GLC Rio, right in the heart of vibrant Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Don't delay—spots are limited. Register on OneJA.

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE GLC 2025 AWARDS

Applications and nominations for 2025 GLC Awards are now open! Read about the Jonas Prising Award for Leadership and Lifetime Achievement, the Soraya Salti Award, the JA Bold Tech Award, the JA Access Award, the JA Youth Advocacy and Alumni Impact Award, the JA Activator Award, the JA Growth and Impact Award, and the JA Brand Amplification Award and nominate yourself, a colleague, or your JA location.

UNLOCK YOUR LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL AT THE 2025 WILD FORUM

JA Worldwide has partnered with the 2025 WILD Leadership for Social Impact Forum, making 100 tickets are available for JA staff across the network. Join more than 1,300 professionals from over 200 organizations in 100+ countries for the virtual conference May 13–15. Claim your free JA staff ticket today.

How to register:

Visit the unique registration link: whova.com/portal/registration/@FHo3XqxrK88praaXJat/
Underneath “Quantity,” select “1.”
Paste code JA WORLDWIDE-O exactly as it appears in the “Discount Code” field and click “Apply” to bypass payment.
Select “Next” and input your personal information into the fields. Please make sure that all fields have the same first name/last name and email address. (It’s important that each participant register using their own email address. WILD will send all event related communications to this email address. You will receive an authentication code from Whova when you log on.)
Answer the “Ticket Holder Information” questions.
Sign up or log in
• If you have used the Whova event platform previously (such as at the 2024 WILD Forum), you’ll be asked for your password to login. (Reset your password if you have forgotten.
• If you haven’t used the Whova event platform before, it will prompt you to create an account.
Click “Register”
Check your email for the verification code from Whova.
Enter the code in Whova. With these steps completed, you should be logged in successfully.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, you will receive an email confirming your registration and account on the virtual 2025 Leadership for Social Impact platform, Whova. Add manager@theWILDnetwork.org and event-noreply@whova.io to your contacts list so that Forum updates do not go into your spam folder.

DID YOU MISS THE MARCH JA GLOBAL TOWN HALL? NEED A RECAP? WATCH THE RECORDING TODAY

The JA Worldwide team packed the March JA Global Town Hall with exciting updates and opportunities for JA staff around the world. If you missed it or just want a recap, find all the resources—including links and a recording—on OneJA.

Sign up for the next JA Global Orientation (JA GO)
Join a community of practice (LX-Tech community, CARDS community)
Watch the Brand Risk/Crisis Communications webinar recording
Watch the launch of The JA Institute
Access the slide deck from the March 2025 JA Global Town Hall and watch the recording.

Find it all on OneJA.

APPLICATIONS OPENING SOON FOR THE JA WORLDWIDE LEAD PROGRAM

Applications will open in May for the second cohort of the JA Worldwide Leader Exchange and Development (LEAD) Program. This opportunity invites mid-career chief staff officers with at least three years in their current roles to participate in an international leadership exchange designed to strengthen global collaboration and advance JA’s strategic goals.

Selected executives will join a cross-regional pairing and spend five days visiting each other’s operations, followed by a regional gathering. Upon completing the exchange and submitting their reflections, participants gain entry into the Global LEAD Forum (GLF)—a network of JA leaders connecting virtually throughout the year and reuniting in person at GLC Rio this November. Application details will follow soon!

GLOBAL NEWS

JA WORLDWIDE EXPANDS IN PAKISTAN TO UNLOCK THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF YOUTH

JA has officially launched operations in Pakistan with an ambitious goal: to reach one million Pakistani youth annually by 2030 through hands-on learning in entrepreneurship, work and tech readiness, and financial literacy.

This milestone marks a significant expansion for JA Pakistan, which will also operate as the Resilient Next Generation Foundation. The organization also launched a new website, japakistan.org, signaling a bold vision for national visibility and long-term impact.

“I am passionate about what this partnership can bring to this country,” said Dr Haroon Latif, CEO, Life Pakistan, and Chairman of JA Pakistan. “JA believes deeply in the boundless potential of young people, and with the right tools and opportunities, today’s youth will shape a thriving and prosperous Pakistan.” Read more.

ETS, JA WORLDWIDE, AND UNICEF’S GENERATION UNLIMITED PARTNER TO MEASURE DURABLE SKILLS OF MILLIONS OF YOUTH TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK

JA Worldwide has partnered with ETS, a global education and talent solutions organization, and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (GenU), a leading public-private-youth partnership for youth skilling and livelihoods, to measure and equip future-ready skills for millions of young people, while revolutionizing talent acquisition and workforce planning for governments and employers.

According to a 2022 report by UNICEF, nearly three-quarters of young people aged 15–24 in 92 countries are off-track to acquire the skills needed for employment with those in low-income countries the least likely to have the skills required to thrive, particularly in future employment opportunities, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Read more.

ENHANCING EDUCATION WITH AI: BUILDING SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK

At JA Worldwide, we believe artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work and entrepreneurship and transforming how young people learn, innovate, and prepare for the world ahead. In recognition of AI Literacy Day and our ongoing commitment to preparing youth for tomorrow’s challenges, we’re proud to share a range of initiatives that embed AI into every layer of our work, from teacher training to student learning experiences.

JA views AI literacy as essential for students, educators, and staff. Our train-the-trainer approach empowers JA staff with the tools and knowledge they need to support educators who bring AI literacy into the classroom. This scalable model ensures our approach reaches young people across all six JA regions. Through partnerships with leading AI and education organizations, JA ensures content stays relevant, practical, and accessible. Our approach focuses on two key dimensions: learning about AI (understanding its principles, ethics, and applications) and learning with AI (using AI tools to enhance critical thinking, creativity, and other uniquely human skills). Read more.

ALUMNI NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES

ALUMNI DAYS AT GLC WRAP-UP

For the first time ever, JA Worldwide hosted two days for JA alumni as part of the JA Global Leadership Conference (GLC), a global gathering of JA staff focused on innovation, collaboration, and impact. On April 11 and 12, JA Alumni Days at GLC Virtual 2025 brought together JA alumni from around the world online for exclusive updates, interactive sessions with changemakers, and powerful networking opportunities. Alumni heard from guest speakers, including JA Global Council Member Camille Blair and entrepreneur and legendary businessman David Meltzer, as well as fellow alumni who hosted exclusive skillshare sessions. Read more.

REGIONAL UPDATES

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA

April is Financial Literacy Month in the United States, and Junior Achievement USA celebrates with the release of its JA Teens & Personal Finance Survey, this year in conjunction with MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation. The results of the survey show that while the percentage of teens taking financial literacy courses in school has jumped from 31 percent to 45 percent, 80 percent of teens either don’t know or don’t fully understand credit scores. Additionally, 42 percent of teens are “terrified” they won’t have enough money to cover their future needs or goals. The report highlights the need for quality financial literacy programs, like Junior Achievement, versus limited exposure to online programs. Read more.

JA EUROPE

JA Europe is proud to present a new trusted, inclusive media platform where young aspiring journalists, content creators and media professionals learn, create, and connect—shaping the conversations that define Europe. With expert mentorship, real publishing opportunities, and a diverse community, we empower youth to tell their story, explore new ideas, and build a professional future in media. Read more and visit pulse-z.eu.

The EMPASS consortium met in Thessaloniki with CEDEFOP bringing together European experts, policymakers, education leaders and students from Estonia, Greece, and Spain to explore the evolving landscape of Vocational Education and Training (VET), focusing on the future of micro-credentials. Read more.

Dream Jobs In Digital aims to inspire young Europeans by showcasing the diverse and exciting career pathways available in the digital world. Throughout April, we'll be introducing you to inspiring role models who will share their personal journeys into digital careers. These professionals will offer valuable insights and practical advice on how everyone can pursue their own dream job in digital, regardless of their background or starting point. Learn more.

JA ASIA PACIFIC

JA Asia Pacific is happy to announce phase two of the partnership with FWD Group, a pan-Asian life insurance business. The new multi-year agreement is aimed at equipping nearly 35,000 young people aged nine to early teens, in eight markets across the Asia Pacific region, namely Hong Kong SAR—China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, with skills related to financial literacy and inclusion. Building on the core (fixed) components of the existing program, while allowing for flexible elements at the local level that we have learned are essential to suit a range of market variables, the next phase of JA SparktheDream will be a multifaceted experience combining financial management lessons, interactive online simulations, family activities, community engagement, and the Social Challenge regional event. Read more.

INJAZ AL-ARAB/JA MENA

More than 120 INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA alumni applied to the first-ever Alumni Leaders Academy MENA, a bold new initiative designed to strengthen alumni communities and empower a new generation of leadership across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Following a competitive application and interview process, INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA selected 28 alumni leaders to serve in key roles—including presidents, vice presidents, community managers, and board members—representing 12 MENA countries. With 10 newly established alumni networks joining two previously established local groups, these inspiring leaders will spearhead the development of a strategic plan to shape the future of the INJAZ alumni network and set key goals and priorities for the region. Read more.

JA AMERICAS

In recent months, JA Americas has been actively participating in key regional and global platforms, strengthening our voice as a leading force in education, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness. From empowering girls through entrepreneurial education to driving conversations about the future of work, our team has proudly represented the JA network with purpose and impact.

We closed 2024 with a special invitation to Uplift Miami, Mastercard’s flagship event focused on girls' empowerment. In a fireside chat with Michael Schlein (CEO, Accion), Noël Zemborain, President of JA Americas, shared personal stories and examples of how early entrepreneurial education helps girls build self-efficacy, gain confidence, and access real opportunities.

In March 2025, we took the stage at FinTech Americas to announce a powerful alliance with the newly launched FemTech initiative—aimed at promoting women in tech, finance, and innovation. This collaboration is expanding the reach of She’s Digital, JA’s regional program that equips women with in-demand digital and soft skills. We invited the broader ecosystem to join as sponsors, mentors, or employers, helping drive inclusive growth and transform the region’s talent pipeline.

Most recently, at South Summit Brazil, JA leaders took part in two key panels. Noël Zemborain explored how experiential learning and public-private partnerships can bridge the relevance gap in education, better preparing youth for tomorrow’s workforce. Alexandre Mutran, Executive Director of JA Brazil, joined a panel on sustainability as a driver of business profitability, emphasizing how education can empower young people to build a more equitable and sustainable future.

As we continue to bring our mission to these global stages, we invite the JA network to celebrate and amplify these milestones. Together, we are not just participating in the conversation—we are shaping the future of work, entrepreneurship and education across the Americas.

JA AFRICA

Across Africa, JA marked Global Money Week 2025 with impactful and engaging activities in various countries, all geared toward equipping youth with the tools to navigate their financial futures with confidence.

This year’s theme, “Think Before You Follow, Wise Money Tomorrow,” encouraged young people to critically assess financial decisions, especially in today’s fast-paced, digitally influenced world. It emphasized the value of reflection over impulse, and understanding over imitation, particularly in matters related to money. Read more about the Global Money Week activities that took place across the Africa region.

MILESTONES

GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS

JA Philippines is leading the way in micro-credentialing, aligning with the latest directives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education. The new learning experiences respond to the growing demand for skills-based, outcome-driven education, especially in business and data analytics for senior high school and tertiary learners. Even before CHED’s formal guidance in March 2025, JA Philippines had pioneered competency-based programs for over a decade, with standout offerings like the Registered Marketing and Business Professional certifications.

Building on this strong foundation, we’re now launching modular, stackable micro-credentials in financial management and data analytics. These programs are delivered through a flexible model that includes faculty-led instruction and fully online, self-paced modules with embedded assessments and certification exams. To ensure each credential reflects both academic rigor and industry needs, JA is establishing consultative councils composed of educators and business leaders. JA Philippines is also working with Emmalyn Green to explore additional partnerships, reaffirming its role at the forefront of education innovation in the Philippines.

AWARDS

In addition to its inspiring new government partnership, JA Philippines has earned international recognition at the 2025 Stevie Awards for its innovative, community-driven initiatives. The organization brought home three honors across key categories celebrating innovation in education, finance, and communication.

In the Awards for Innovative Achievement, JA Philippines received a Silver Stevie for Cha-Ching’s Million-Step Journey, a transformative financial education initiative, and a Bronze Stevie—in partnership with Wells Fargo—for JA Personal Finance, which equips Filipino youth with tools for financial stability.

In the Awards for Innovation in Communications/Public Relations, JA Philippines and Johnson & Johnson were awarded a Silver Stevie for the WiSTEM2D Bridges Project, which empowers specially-abled young women in the Philippines to pursue STEM careers and redefine what’s possible.

These awards underscore JA Philippines’ ongoing commitment to meaningful, inclusive innovation in youth development.

ANNIVERSARY

Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina (USA) celebrated 50 years (see more)

April 2025 OneJA Newsletter