JA at GEC 2025: Youth, Diplomacy, and the Power of Self-Belief
June 10, 2025
The world isn’t just changing—it’s accelerating. Powered by bold entrepreneurs and strengthened by resilient ecosystems, this transformation was on full display at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, where over 5,000 changemakers from nearly 200 countries came together to shape what’s next.
Founders. Investors. Policymakers. Ecosystem builders. Educators. Innovators. GEC brought them all under one roof—alongside the voices we believe are most important of all: young people.
And JA was there. From staff and volunteers to alumni and student leaders, JA’s global presence was everywhere—on stage, in workshops, and in powerful hallway conversations that sparked ideas and ignited change.
Youth Advocacy Is Not About Age—It’s About Action
At our featured workshop—“Shaping the Future of Diplomacy Through Youth-Led Action and Community-Building”—we didn’t just host a panel. We issued a call to arms. Co-led by Sarah Rapp and Tere Stouffer, with a guest appearance by JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani, the session brought together a cross-section of youth leaders, educators, and global influencers to explore how entrepreneurship, storytelling, and community-building can serve as tools of diplomacy in an interconnected world.
Using personal narratives, reflective prompts, and group discussions, we explored how grassroots action can influence global policy—and how everyday people can lead extraordinary change.
The message was clear:
You don’t need a title to lead.
Youth advocacy is a mindset, not a demographic.
Diplomacy begins with connection.
Attendees didn’t just leave inspired—they left mobilized. Each one committed to a tangible action they’ll take within 30 days to advance youth-led change in their community or organization.
Self-Efficacy Is the New Superpower
In his GEC keynote, Asheesh Advani introduced a bold new definition of success. In today’s unpredictable world, he argued, achievement is no longer about climbing a ladder or sticking to a rigid plan; instead, it’s about adaptability, purpose, and belief in one’s ability to succeed, regardless of the challenges.
That belief—self-efficacy—isn’t just a feel-good concept. It’s a powerful, research-backed predictor of entrepreneurial success. More than IQ, experience, or background, self-efficacy drives the willingness to take risks, bounce back from failure, and build something from nothing.
The takeaway? If we want to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, we must help them believe in their future success. That means building ecosystems of mentorship, role models, and real-world learning—environments that help students see their own potential and give them the tools to act on it.
As Asheesh said, the world must create hundreds of millions of new jobs in the coming years. The solution isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s entrepreneurship. And self-efficacy is the spark that will light the way.
From diplomacy to digital disruption, JA's presence at GEC made one thing clear: When young people have the tools, mentors, and belief systems they need, there is no limit to what they can create, not just for themselves, but for the world.