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Pathways To Learning... Since 2005
Hong Kong Registered School 566985
ITS Education Asia 20th Anniversary

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Key Takeaways

Certificate Signed by Top UN Leaders

Receive a prestigious certificate signed by top UN Leaders.

Coveted Recommendation Letter

Stand out with a personalized recommendation letter from the Chair of the Project Decision-Making Committee.

Master the Skills that Matter

Develop a rock-solid foundation in critical thinking, cost-benefit analysis, real-world policymaking, charisma, and communication.

Unlock UN-Level Mentorship

Get personalized guidance from top UN experts who have extensive international experience.

Accelerator Highlights

Two Specialized Tracks

Participants can specialize in either Geopolitics & Sustainable Futures or Digital Transformation & Impact Finance.

Intensive Capstone Project

Stand out with a personalized recommendation letter from the Chair of the Project Decision-Making Committee.

Elevated Mentorship

Develop a rock-solid foundation in critical thinking, cost-benefit analysis, real-world policymaking, charisma, and communication.

Final Presentation

The program culminates in a presentation to a UN Panel of Experts, offering invaluable exposure and feedback on shaping global policies.

Who Should Join The Accelerator

UN Expert Faculty

Dr. Jafar Javan

  • Former Director, United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), with over 30 years in various UN functions
  • Chair of Advisory Board, The Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change featuring UNSSC, Nelson Mandela Foundation and worldwide top universities
  • Professor of Practice, IE University, Spain
  • Leader in Residence, Collin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, CCNY, New York

Erik Solheim

  • Former Under-Secretary-General of UN and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • Former Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development
  • Experienced peace negotiator, notably for the Sri Lanka peace process
  • President Europe - Asia Center

David Guhl

  • Director of UNESCO International Jazz Day, promoting global dialogue and cultural exchange through music
  • Former diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, assistant to Ambassador Terry Branstad, recognized for his leadership in crisis management and international coordination, supporting the safe return of hundreds of citizens in emergency situations

Jiaqi Chen

  • Founder, Next Impact Learning Hub
  • Founded Catalyst Next and served as Associate Director
  • Former Strategy & Business Development Manager at Catalyst Advisory, supporting various UN reform initiatives
  • Began UN career with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation & Change Management Unit with a digital transformation project

Expert Educators Guiding Your Accelerator Journey

Maya Gobert

  • Judge of Blue Ocean Competition & Conrad Challenge
  • Cornell grad with distinction with global experience in finance, marketing, and education.
  • Mentored students worldwide into Ivy League and top universities.

Avi Hegland-Fisher

  • JD, University of Pennsylvania Law, excels as an educator.
  • Awarded for 200+ pro bono hours, she now tutors students in writing, testing, and college admissions.

Program Schedule | All sessions are virtual.

  • Session 1: February 23, 2026, 9pm PT / February 24, 2026, 1pm Beijing time
  • Session 2: February 26, 2026, 9pm PT / February 27, 2026, 1pm Beijing time
  • Session 3: February 28, 2026, 9pm PT / March 1, 2026, 1 pm Beijing time
  • Session 4: March 2, 2026, 9pm PT / March 3, 2026, 1pm Beijing time
  • Session 5: March 5, 2026, 9pm PT / March 6, 2026, 1pm Beijing time
  • Session 6: March 9, 2026, 10pm PT / March 10, 2026, 1pm Beijing time
  • Session 7 (UN Expert Panel): March 12, 2026, 10pm PT / March 13, 2026, 1pm Beijing time

Bootcamp Syllabus

Session 1:

Diving into Real-World Problem-Solving (Track Debut)

Introduction to real UN case studies and analysis.

Session 2:

Capstone Project Kick-off & Team Brainstorming

Team formation and niche area ideation.

Session 3:

Live Workshopping Session 1 with UN Experts

In-depth review of project proposals and data strategy with UN Mentors.

Session 4:

Critical Thinking & Analysis / Project Outlining

Developing the Capstone presentation skeleton and determining workload division.

Session 5:

Charisma & Communication / Presentation Skills

Learning how to make compelling presentations and applying insights directly to the final pitch.

Session 6:

Live Workshopping Session 2 with UN Experts

Personalized team feedback with UN Expert Mentors.

Session 7: UN Global Solutions Panel

Final Capstone Presentations to a panel of UN experts, providing invaluable exposure and final feedback.

Testimoniall from last summer

Dr. Jafar Javan - Opening Remarks “Youth, Leadership and the Power to Begin”

Ameesha S. · Grade 10 · Singapore · Oxbridge aspirant (Politics / History)

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had to learn and collaborate with you, the UN officials, and my peers at the UN Bootcamp. From the very start, I was inspired by the caliber of the instructors and the depth of the topics we covered. The capstone project, in particular, was a highlight for me. It was a chance to apply everything we learned in a hands-on way, and the late-night work sessions with my teammates were invaluable. I learned so much about effective project management, from initial brainstorming to refining a final presentation. This experience has left me feeling energized and inspired to build on this momentum, especially with the connections I've made and the new skills I've gained. Thank you again for this truly incredible experience.”

UN Final Panel session

Josh Z. · Grade 11 · US · Stanford+HYPSM aspirant (Economics)

“My experience at the UN Bootcamp was incredibly rewarding, especially the research I did to prepare for our capstone project. I found myself diving into topics I had only a surface-level understanding of before, and the process of gathering data and synthesizing information was deeply engaging. The program provided a perfect environment for this kind of deep-dive learning, giving us the tools to not only research effectively but also to translate our findings into a compelling project. The collaboration with my peers was another highlight, as we worked together to refine our ideas and build a cohesive presentation. I am hoping to continue building on what I learned, using the skills and knowledge from the bootcamp to pursue further projects and research in this field.”

Sample Capstone Projects

⚙️

SUSTAINABILITY

Youth-Driven Carbon Coin Initiative Empowering Sustainable Choices

The "Youth-Driven Carbon Coin Initiative" successfully delivered a functional prototype and compelling video pitch, demonstrating a novel rewards system designed to incentivize sustainable actions and promote awareness of UN SDG 13: Climate Action. Through rigorous research, collaborative design, and technical execution, the team developed a user-friendly app prototype integrated with a robust carbon coin calculation model, effectively translating everyday sustainable behaviors into tangible rewards. The final two-minute video pitch, accompanied by a comprehensive presentation and project report, effectively communicated the project's vision and potential impact, showcasing a powerful tool for youth engagement in climate action.

⚙️

FINANCE

Microfinance IVR for Lending Access Improving Financial Access for Women in the Global South

This project proposed a voice-based microfinance system designed to make financial services more accessible for women borrowers in the Global South. The initiative introduced an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform that allows clients to check loan balances, repayment schedules, and request support using any basic mobile phone - without the need for internet or literacy skills. By simplifying access to microfinance information, this initiative enhances transparency, reduces the workload of field officers, and strengthens women’s participation in local financial systems. The project contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting digital inclusion and economic empowerment through low-tech innovation.

⚙️

TECHNOLOGY / INNOVATION

AI for Social Goods Preserving Endangered Languages with Chatbots

The "LinguaViva: Latin Learning Chatbot" project successfully developed a functional AI-powered chatbot prototype, designed to facilitate the learning of endangered languages, specifically Latin, through engaging daily scenarios. The team, consisting of a Linguistic/Content Lead, AI/Technical Lead, and Design/User Experience Lead, meticulously researched Latin grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context, creating a comprehensive database and engaging learning scenarios. The AI/Technical Lead then implemented these elements into a functional chatbot, leveraging NLP capabilities and training the model to handle user interactions effectively. Finally, the Design/User Experience Lead crafted a user-friendly interface and conducted user testing, refining the chatbot for optimal usability. The final presentation, supported by a demonstration video, highlighted the chatbot's potential as an innovative educational tool, directly contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education by promoting inclusive and technology-driven learning opportunities. Additionally, by integrating advanced AI techniques to support cultural and linguistic preservation, the project underscored the transformative role of technology in addressing global educational challenges.

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