Elevating young leaders as global problem solvers.
130 countries. Over 3,500 young professionals and students. See how our global collaboration with United Nations experts brings innovative solutions into the sustainable development agenda.
Who we are
The world’s knowledge network on global development by and for young people — in any career, any country.
What we do
South-North Scholars helps young professionals and students in 100+ countries become valued thought patners to experts at the United Nations and global firms working on innovation, development research, and public policy.
We are among the largest youth-led networks for ideas and innovation on the SDGs — and beyond
we’ve engaged
3,500+
with the support of
100+
representing
by launching
leading scholars, UN experts, and corporate executive mentors
young leaders worldwide
132
countries on all inhabited continents
7
global research, dialogue, and innovation programs
Our transformational initiatives
We collaborate with institutions and youth worldwide on:
youth-led innovation (young people work with experts to research key challenges and develop innovative solutions for sustainable development)
inclusive knowledge-sharing (events and trainings to equip young leaders with cutting-edge digital tools and resources, from UN open data platforms to AI tools)
See two examples of our global impact below.
Elevating young people as innovative thought partners to the United Nations.
We launched Solving for Humanity, our global youth innovation challenge for human development, with experts at the UN Development Programme’s Human Development Report Office, convening multicultural teams of youth across 130+ countries. Teams engaged experts from public or private sector firms, authoring data-driven proposals to solve urgent problems in technology, climate action, and global governance. Top teams presented their proposals to UNDP experts. For our work, South-North Scholars was recognized in the UNDP Human Development Report 2023/24, the global report for policymakers.
Photo: Fireside chat hosted by South-North Scholars at our Duke University forum with Dr. Pedro Conceição, Director of the UNDP Human Development Report Office
Building the next generation of interdisciplinary and innovative Global South researchers.
Nexus is the first student-led, peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to research, artwork, and essays that examine critical issues in developing countries of the Global South.
With peer reviewers from Duke, Harvard, and other institutions, Nexus has helped build 100+ young scholars across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas through the journal and our academic conference organized with colleagues at the International Public Policy Association — all while engaging diverse people and perspectives marginalized in traditional research and media discourses.
“We will not be able to end poverty, ensure gender equality, reverse climate change and achieve the SDGs by 2030 if we fail to empower all young people in all their diversity.”
— Jayathma Wickramanayake
Envoy for Youth, UN Secretary-General
Connect with us and help transform future leaders of global development.
For young leaders worldwide
For mentors and advisors
