Seventeen’s Joshua pledges continued support for young people’s dreams at UNESCO event

SEOUL – Seventeen member Joshua returned to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on June 25, delivering a speech on behalf of the K-pop boy band that reaffirmed their commitment to supporting young people through creativity, collaboration and well-being.

Speaking at the commemorative event – UNESCO x Seventeen: Celebrating Youth, Creativity And Well-Being Together – he reflected on the group’s journey since becoming UNESCO’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Youth in 2024 and highlighted the impact of the Global Youth Grant Scheme, launched in partnership with the organisation.

“Today marks Seventeen’s third visit to UNESCO headquarters, a place where returning is always meaningful,” said the South Korea-based American singer.

“Upon our appointment, we shared with UNESCO a core belief that young people should be empowered to lead change.”

The grant initiative, Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being, was established through a US$1 million (S$1.3 million) donation made by Seventeen after being appointed as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth.

The fund supports youth-led projects focused on music, art, sports, mental health and community development.

In 2025, the group also donated proceeds from the Joopiter Presents: sacai x Seventeen charity auction, allowing UNESCO to provide extra support to 10 outstanding projects selected from the programme’s first 100 participating youth groups.

Rather than focusing only on funding, Joshua, 30, emphasised young participants’ ability to drive change in their own communities.

“Beyond the numbers, what really matters are the stories,” he said. “We have seen young people use music and dance for healing, art for mental well-being and sports to build confidence.”

He added that two aspects of the projects stood out most to the members.

“No project was done by just one person. They came together, joined forces and made it happen as a team,” he said. “They did not need someone to tell them what to do. Because they are the ones who know the challenges of their communities best, they are the ones who found the best solutions.”

Joshua also drew parallels between the grant recipients’ experiences and Seventeen’s journey as a group. “As 13 individuals sharing one dream for over a decade, we faced our own uncertainties, having to reinvent ourselves, embrace new challenges and push beyond our limits,” he said.

“Through those experiences, we learnt that growth is never achieved alone. It thrives on trust and the belief that we are stronger together.”

Closing his speech, Joshua also pledged that Seventeen would continue supporting young people through the group’s role as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth. “We will sing, we will whisper and sometimes we will shout out to remind you that your dreams matter,” he said. “They matter to you, they matter to the world, and they matter deeply to us, Seventeen.”

The event also celebrated the achievements of young leaders participating in the Going Together initiative and was attended by UNESCO deputy director-general Asa Charlotte Regner, youth representatives and project participants from around the world.

Seventeen first collaborated with UNESCO in November 2023, becoming the first K-pop act to hold a special session at the organisation’s Youth Forum.

In June 2024, the group were appointed UNESCO’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Youth. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK