From empowering children with the ‘I CAN Mindset’ to the global impact of the FIDS framework, the I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023 in Ahmedabad showcased the incredible potential within every child to drive positive change.

The I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023, held in the vibrant city of Ahmedabad from November 30 till December 3, was a beacon of inspiration and change. Organised by Design for Change (DFC), the global celebration showcased the remarkable power of children to effect positive transformations in their communities and beyond.

With the theme Local Change, Global Impact, this four-day fun-filled celebration brought together over 500 participants (children, teachers, parents, partners and general public) from over 37 countries to celebrate the “I CAN” spirit. This milestone occasion, organised by Design for Change Global, featured 40+ inspiring student stories of change, in 30+ languages, 16 workshops, 5 performances, 3 Masterclass panellists and a two-day Global Partner Meet.

The event featured a diverse gathering of children from Argentina Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Ecuador, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, TÜRKİYE, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and India. Dressed in their traditional attire and proudly carrying the flags of their respective nations, these young superheroes engaged in a vibrant display of unity. Student council representatives from eight countries organised the cultural evening as part of the initiative titled ‘DFCs Got Talent’.

The Summit’s overarching purpose was to empower young minds to become leaders of change. Central to this initiative was the promotion of the ‘I CAN Mindset,’ facilitated by the FIDS (Feel, Imagine, Do, Share) framework developed by Design for Change. This simplified design thinking process encourages children to identify issues, imagine solutions, take action, and share their stories of change with the world. Children from across the globe illuminated the summit with their tales of transformation, illustrating the global impact of their projects addressing over 12 Sustainable Development Goals.

These young minds have not just identified local issues but crafted solutions with potential global resonance. They shared compelling narratives on how they influenced the world through initiatives such as combating poverty, championing circular fashion, fostering cross-border friendships, raising awareness on mental health, dismantling malignant misogyny, bridging religious divides, countering cyberbullying, advocating for inclusion, and establishing a public library for a village. Each story showcased the superheroes’ implementation of robust solutions to address the pressing challenges of our time.

• The project from Taiwan, Asia ‘Searching for the Lost Niao Ta Shi Fishing Village’ was designed for special education students to immerse in a profound ocean experience. Students crafted picture books capturing the scenic fishing village, recording the sound of waves, and observing birds stepping on stones, showcasing a unique ocean experience. The students extended the experience globally by sending picture book postcards and reading their Hualien ocean poem in English, sharing the beauty of Hualien’s ocean with children worldwide.
• The Middle East story from UAE ‘Edible Water Bubbles’ focused on addressing the suffering of marine life owing to plastic pollution. To combat the impact of plastic bottles on the environment, the team devised a solution using Sodium Alginate and Calcium Lactate, creating Sodium Lactate, a gel-like material to replace single-use plastics.
• In the African story of change from Zambia ‘Useful Litter-Glass’, students ingeniously repurposed discarded bottles into glass cups, beakers, and security features for wall fences. Ensuring safety through sanding, these items served dual purposes at school and home, while leftover materials were utilised for community construction projects.
• The Latin American project from Ecuador, ‘The Social Project Foundation’ tackled food and water challenges in the Punta Piedra community. They built a garden, installed a waterhole, and created a water tower for irrigation. Additionally, the project included community training, showcasing a holistic approach to meeting essential needs.
• One of the European projects ‘Tackle poverty in Lucca’ focused on alleviating poverty, especially among migrant children of Lucca (Italy). Through a fundraising event featuring a kamishibai-animated story (Japanese theatre), funds were collected for Caritas International, underscoring the potent combination of storytelling and community support for impoverished migrant children.

Founder of the Design For Change (DFC) movement since 2009, Kiran Bir Sethi, a renowned global eduhero (a Rockefeller Foundation Young Innovator, Light of Freedom Vital Voices Global Partnership, and Global Teacher Prize finalist) also launched her book Every Child Can – Riverside School’s Design-Led Approach to Empowering Children. The book shares the story of Riverside School, a uniquely innovative school that focuses on developing a child’s agency and character at the heart of education. The book reveals some ground-breaking ideas, tools, processes and practices based on the design process that went into building Riverside, a school that encourages confident, empowered and humane citizens with an I CAN mindset. Riverside also received the World’s Best School Prize 2023 in the category of innovation.

I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023 featured a stellar lineup of Masterclass Panellists, including Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), that delved into the realms of education, innovation, and creativity, supported by robust data at the Global Partner Meet. The masterclass, featuring Vishwanathan Anand, a five-time world chess champion; Anto Philip, co-founder and CEO of Under 25 Universe; and Shaheen Mistri, Founder & CEO of Teach For India, brought diverse expertise that enriched the Summit’s discussions on fostering change and empowerment. Nitesh Kumar, a Paralympian and a symbol of determination on the badminton court, delivered a powerful I CAN Talk, revealing a strength that propels him beyond challenges.

The children enjoyed the city tour, exploring Adalaj Stepwell, Gandhi Ashram, and the Vessel Museum. They immersed themselves in a cultural experience, surrounded by the lively energy of local music, art, and dance at Vishala which concluded with a Gujarati thali comprising local cuisines, delicacies, and warm desi hospitality. Moreover, the children left a lasting impact by bringing traditional toys from their home countries and leaving them in the city as part of their cultural legacy at the Khoj Museum.

The event was further enriched by captivating performances that transcended cultural boundaries. “Ilha Formosa! Life in Taiwan Beyond Semiconductors” took the audience on a fascinating journey through an acrobatic performance accompanied by an inspiring documentary, shedding light on the multifaceted diversity of Taiwan. The Drum Circle, curated by Rujul Vora, created a rhythmic tapestry of collaboration, uniting participants in a harmonious celebration of unity. Adding a lyrical touch to the proceedings, Kabiraa, THE RAPPER, skillfully rhymed words in a fashion that resonated with all, imparting a relatable and universal message to everyone fortunate enough to be in attendance. The presentations by Riverside students, Sharvari’s mesmerizing blindfold reading and the vibrant Reckless Garba Group led by Luckybhai, showcased diverse talents, including the energetic and culturally rich performance of the traditional Gujarati folk dance Garba.

These performances not only entertained but also encapsulated the spirit of global collaboration and creativity that defined the I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023. Another outstanding feature was the Happy Street initiative, transforming the streets into a vehicle-free zone to promote culture, community, and safety for children. Organised by aProCh (a Protagonist in Every Child), this community-based initiative allowed for planned activities, making the streets a vibrant hub for performances, workshops, sports, games, crafts, art, fitness sessions, and fun activities.

The heartwarming tapestry of participant responses as the I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023 unfolded its transformative impact. Participants expressed their gratitude, with one attendee from Spain enthusing “Four days of joy, empathy, kindness, ultimate love and a wild desire to change and be the change, deeply inspired us.” Another participant from Zimbabwe highlighted the global impact, saying, “DFC’s efforts in bringing together a diverse group of country partners and children were truly inspirational and have been a game changer for all of us involved. The Summit provided global insights and a valuable platform for collaboration and learning.”

The I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023 stands as a testament to the potential within every child to make a difference. Starting in 2012 in India, this celebration has travelled across the world spreading its magic in Mexico, China, Spain, Taiwan, Rome (Italy), Singapore, Brazil, Malaysia & Uruguay in 2022 and came back to India as the ‘I Can Children’s Global Summit 2023’.

As the summit resonates with participants worldwide, the announcement of the I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2024 in Dubai signals a commitment to sustaining the momentum of positive change on a global scale.

The Summit’s resounding message echoes louder than ever: children are key players in designing a just and humane world. The I CAN Mindset, coupled with the FIDS framework, not only transforms individual lives but also has the potential to reshape the entire education sector. The Summit showcased the importance of cultivating empathy, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the agency of students as equal participants in shaping our collective future.

Also read: I CAN Vatican Global Summit