- UNITAR and ITS Education Asia invite young people in Asia and the Pacific to apply for the 2026 UNITAR Youth Ambassador Asia-Pacific Programme.
- The 2026 programme will focus on empowering youth across the region to create local solutions for global challenges by developing their ability to address international issues and enhancing their knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals.
- The training sessions will take place online over six Saturdays, from 21 October to 21 November 2026, 11 a.m. JST (UTC +9)/10 a.m. CST (China Standard Time, UTC+8), and culminate in a virtual graduation event.
- The deadline for applications is Saturday, 3 October 2026, 7 p.m. JST (UTC +9).
UNITAR
30 July 2026, Hiroshima, Japan – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and ITS Education Asia Foundation invite motivated youth across Asia-Pacific to apply for the 2026 UNITAR Youth Ambassador Asia-Pacific Programme. The programme will run for 6 weeks, from 17 October to 21 November 2026.
This programme aims to deepen young people’s understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen their entrepreneurial and innovation skills and help them develop ideas to address community problems. At the end of the programme, the Youth Ambassadors will present their self-directed capstone projects to be implemented in their communities to drive positive change. The application deadline is Saturday, 3 October 2026, 7 p.m. JST (UTC +9).
The programme is open to young persons over 18 years old in the Asia-Pacific region. It welcomes both university students and young professionals who would benefit from international exposure, sustainability-focused learning and professional growth.
The programme will be delivered in English, and participants who fulfil all requirements will receive a UNITAR certificate of completion. By the end of the programme, each participant will have a solid SDG-related project that they can further develop in their communities. The participants will be mentored by UNITAR and ITS staff and have the opportunity to engage with experts, academics and policymakers.
Who Is Eligible
The programme is open to motivated Asia-Pacific young people, including university students as well as early-career professionals who meet the following criteria:
- Resides in the Asia-Pacific region
- Between 18 and 30 years old (born on or after 1 January 1996 and before or on 31 December 2007).
- Have good spoken English skills
- Committed to completing the programme
- Can commit approximately 3 hours on Saturdays (11 a.m.-2 p.m. JST) for each session
- Has experience in impactful local community work
- Demonstrates good research skills and background knowledge of sustainability
- Passionate to succeed and make a lasting positive difference in their communities
Applicants must have a referee, not related to the applicant, who can attest to the applicant’s experiences and abilities regarding community work and vouch for the applicant’s general abilities concerning attendance, diligence, research ability and knowledge of sustainability. This referee can be a schoolteacher, professor or another appropriate figure.
Programme Details
Cost
The programme cost is USD 900 per participant.
Schedule
The programme sessions will be on the following Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. JST (UTC +9).
- 17 October: Welcome, introduction to the UN/SDGs
- 24 October: Workshop on identifying issues in the SDGs context and problem framing/ideation
- 31 October: Workshop on teambuilding and intercultural communication
- 7 November: Interactive session on leadership in SDGs and session brainstorming
- 14 November: Tips on how to present and apply lessons learned from the programme back at community
- 21 November: Graduation day and final presentations on community outreach
How to Apply
Apply from the ITS website by Saturday, 3 October 2026, 7 p.m. JST (UTC +9)
Contact
UNITAR Hiroshima Project Office, Division for Prosperity: Kelvianto Shenyoputro
Email: hiroshima@unitar.org
ITS Education Asia: Danny Harrington
Email: info@itseducation.asia
* Kindly note that applications will not be accepted by email.
About ITS Education Asia
ITS Education Asia (ITS) provides flexible learning options primarily aimed at helping students without access to mainstream schooling. ITS is accredited with the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, Pearson plc, Cambridge Assessment, Chartered Institute of Taxation, In-Q-Tel, Minerva University and more. ITS also has a range of support services available to students who remain in traditional schools but need enhanced learning and support. In addition, the non-profit ITS Foundation delivers sustainability education through a variety of programmes and is closely aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda. Learn more at itseducation.asia.
About UNITAR
Established in 1965, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the dedicated training arm of the United Nations. Its mission is to strengthen knowledge and skills through high-quality training, research and innovative learning solutions.
Through strategic partnerships and a global learning platform, UNITAR builds skills of individuals, and enhances capacities of institutions and organizations, particularly those in vulnerable contexts, to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact for the Future.