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Global Young Leaders Network

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Published: Thursday, 21 May 2020 Author: Global Youth Advancement Network

The Global Youth Advancement Network (GYAN) is engaging with MSU students through a new group called the Global Young Leaders Network (GYLN), an international network sponsored by the Sunwah Foundation.  GYLN’s vision is to provide a platform for young leaders to develop their international outlook, leadership skills, and commitment to public and social services.

GYLN Introductory Meeting
Global young leaders meet at the introductory session.

This vision not only aligns with GYAN’s goals, but also affords MSU students the opportunity to engage with international peers at conferences and summits, be eligible for scholarships and internships, and interact with high-level officials through leadership training. GYLN chapters can be found in China, Vietnam, Japan, Canada, the UK, and Cambodia.

MSU’s GYLN chapter, the first in the US, is off to a great start with a core group of committed students. During the semester, students thoughtfully deliberated and drafted the chapter’s charter which will guide the chapter going forward. Currently, group members are submitting proposals for projects that make an impact in their communities and respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The chapter held two in-person meetings before the start of the COVID-19 quarantine, and have continued meeting virtually several times with GYAN staff to keep momentum.

GYLN Brainstorm

Students remain optimistic for the future, even in the midst of the global pandemic. Here is what a few GYLN members have to say:

Abby, MSU Freshman 2019-2020

“Already, GYLN has helped me grow more confident as a leader and allowed me to better understand the power of the student voice. The passion our team has for this work is clear in our discussions with one another. I am most excited to be working with a group of like-minded, goal-oriented people who are searching for impactful ways to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Peyton, MSU Freshman 2019-2020

"I love how GYLN is grounded in student leadership. GYLN is unique because members have the ability to use their creativity to propose their own projects. From the planning to finance to public relations, there are so many marketable skills that can come from GYLN through our projects."

"Already, GYLN has helped me grow more confident as a leader and allowed me to better understand the power of the student voice."

More information about the Sunwah Foundation

MSU and the Sunwah Foundation have a shared legacy of promoting international engagement. The Sunwah Group, a Hong Kong based conglomerate led by Chairman Dr. Jonathan Choi, is committed to returning some of the rewards of its own success to the communities it serves. Since the 1970s, the Choi family has provided financial support for the establishment of kindergartens, primary schools and colleges in Zhongshan, Hong Kong, and Macau, establishing the Sunwah Foundation to facilitate this community engagement. The Sunwah Foundation’s scope of services include education in science and technology, and in recent years, has extended to arts and culture as well.

The Foundation looks forward to expand to the US by creating a GYLN chapter at MSU and opening a Jonathan KS Choi cultural center on the campus. The MSU chapter and center will be linked with the Foundation’s global network to promote understanding, appreciation and respect for the unique culture of each country and to generate goodwill, paving the way to a more harmonious world.