Young Changemakers Collaborate To Champion Global Goals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games was a momentous gathering — a celebration of human strength, perseverance and discipline while standing as a testament to inclusivity in sports and beyond. More than a sporting event, the Paralympics is a platform that unites people to drive meaningful progress toward a better future.

As many young people around the world strive to create a better future for their generation, technology and sports have emerged as powerful tools for fostering social inclusion and cultural exchange. Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in wireless communications and computing equipment, believes that open collaboration and innovative technology can break down barriers and unite people across borders, languages and cultures.

Building on this spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, Samsung Newsroom brought together Generation17 Young Leaders Shomy Chowdhury and Zubair Junjunia, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leaders Jessie Niles and Omar Bassyouni, for a series of engagements at Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung | Champs-Elysees 125 last week.

Young Leaders Advancing the Global Goals Through Cross-Sector Partnerships

The four Young Leaders connected over their shared commitment to social change advancing the Global Goals, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by their diverse backgrounds and innovative approaches to solving global challenges close to their hearts. From promoting quality education and well-being to championing sustainability and reducing inequalities, their initiatives demonstrated the impact of young changemakers when supported by cross-sector partnerships between businesses and international organizations.

“By bringing together new perspectives and resources from different sectors, we can create innovative solutions that address complex global challenges,” said Junjunia. “My work with ZNotes has shown what we can achieve when technology and community efforts converge to remove the barriers of socio-economic background and create equal access to quality education. Together, we can amplify our efforts to advance the Global Goals.”

“Collaborating across sectors has been key to Ready in Five’s growth. By partnering with educational institutions and corporate organizations, we are incorporating and encouraging movement in everyday activities to promote wellness and drive social change,” Niles shared. “This approach bridges the gap between different stakeholders across sports, education and business, showing that the most innovative solutions emerge when we unite diverse perspectives.”

▲ (From left) Generation17 Young Leaders Shomy Chowdhury and Zubair Junjunia and IOC Young Leaders Omar Bassyouni and Jessie Niles share their thoughts on creating social impact and advancing the Global Goals.

Game Changers: The Intersection of Sports, Education and Emerging Technology

During a panel, the Young Leaders explored the role of sports and technology in advancing accessibility, equity and sustainability. They delved into how innovative technology, such as adaptive sports technology and wearable devices, can enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities and make sports more accessible and empowering.

Team Samsung Galaxy’s Johannes Floors (Para athletics, Germany) — a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world record holder and silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games — shared how technology is opening access to information about disabilities and accessibility.

“When I was growing up, my parents didn’t have the opportunity to search on the internet for the right orthopedic surgeons for me. When I got my amputation surgery, social media was not as prevalent, and there was limited access to learn more about disabilities. But now, you can look up anything on the internet or on social media to educate yourself,” Floors shared. “Thanks to technology, I have received more messages over the past week from parents of children with the same disability as me than ever. It means the world to know that I can help people with disabilities and inspire others.”

Bassyouni emphasized how technology and data analysis support Para athletes. “Every athlete, whether disabled or able-bodied, has strengths and weaknesses. Technology helps identify these strengths and offers insights to enhance them — like which prosthetics work best or what training maximizes performance. Sports isn’t just about the game. It’s about creating an inclusive space where everyone feels valued, regardless of their abilities. It is very important that we strive to create equal access for everyone in every corner of the world.”

Chowdhury shared how digital platforms enhance access. “Through Awareness360, we’ve empowered over 30,000 young people to take action and connect with those often left behind. Platforms like the Samsung Global Goals app have been crucial in scaling our impact. I’ve met many young changemakers who discovered my story through the app which raises awareness and funds to support the Global Goals — helping more people join the global movement for positive change.”

▲ Generation17 Young Leaders, IOC Young Leaders and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Silver Medalist Johannes Floors gathered for a panel at Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung |Champs-Elysees 125.

Embracing ‘Open always wins’

The engagement between Generation17 and the IOC Young Leaders underscored the critical role of youth leadership in shaping a more equitable world. While global sporting events like the Paralympics inspire global unity, technology acts as a catalyst for innovation and a solution to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

From the words of Floors, “Technology and sports may seem like different worlds — but when they come together, they have the power to create lasting, positive change on a global scale. By embracing the mindset of openness, we exchange information, show our values, create memories and celebrate victories. All this comes together through sports, and technology has made it easier than ever.”

By working together, Samsung and the IOC have demonstrated how openness and collaboration — core values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games — have the potential to change the world for the better.

▲ Generation17 Young Leaders, IOC Young Leaders and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Silver Medalist Johannes Floors gathered for a panel at Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung |Champs-Elysees 125.

Elevating the Voice of a Generation To Achieve the Global Goals

Generation17, a joint initiative by Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), elevates the voices of Young Leaders striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. Samsung and the UNDP provide mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they advance their work. The initiative removes barriers for Generation17 Young Leaders to be involved in public affairs, and Young Leaders have attended notable events such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, COP and Climate Week. Generation17 has also strengthened participation on the Samsung Global Goals app which mobilizes users and educates them on ways to support the Global Goals.

IOC Young Leaders Programme Contributes to Olympism 365 Days a Year

Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders Programme empowers young people to leverage the power of sports to make a positive difference in their communities. The Programme contributes to Olympism365, the IOC’s approach to using sports as important enablers of the Global Goals, and specifically to Olympism365’s innovation portfolio that aims to identify, sustain and scale innovative sports-based approaches that deliver concrete impacts in targeted communities.

With the support of the IOC, these inspiring young people have delivered over 160 sport-led projects around the world — promoting education and livelihoods, equality and inclusion, health, peacebuilding and sustainability — to benefit more than 37,000 people.

For more information, please visit IOC Young Leaders Programme and the Olympism365 strategy.