India–Korea Forum hosts an international dialogue on youth leadership, responsible AI, climate action, inclusion, innovation, and sustainable development at the Seoul Global Center.
Seoul, South Korea | 2 October 2026 — The India–Korea Forum (IKF) successfully hosted the NextGen Global Dialogue on Sustainable Development 2026 at the Seoul Global Center on 2 October 2026, bringing together young scholars, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Held under the theme “Youth Leadership for a Peaceful, Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” the Dialogue created a platform for the next generation to exchange ideas on some of the most pressing challenges facing societies today and to explore how youth leadership, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Empowering the Next Generation
Opening the Dialogue, Prof. Rajiv Kumar, Director of the India–Korea Forum, emphasized the importance of creating meaningful spaces where young people are not simply participants in conversations about the future but are active contributors to shaping it.
He highlighted IKF’s commitment to strengthening next-generation networks and creating opportunities that connect ideas and research with practical action, international collaboration, and leadership.
The programme was structured around three interconnected sessions moving from inclusion and global citizenship, through technology and climate innovation, to entrepreneurship and action.
The sessions were moderated by Ms. Sudharani Lonavath, IKF 2026 Spring Fellow, who facilitated the discussions and exchanges among speakers and participants throughout the Dialogue.
Youth, Inclusion & Global Citizenship: Building a Future for All
The first session explored the role of young people in advancing inclusive societies, global citizenship, peace, and sustainable development.
The session featured Mr. ByeongKyu Jun, Ms. Sanya Srivastava, Ms. Ibtsam Qureshi, and Dr. Sudeshana Pandey, bringing perspectives from public policy, international business, foreign studies, communications, and research.
Their contributions highlighted the importance of empowering young people to participate meaningfully in addressing challenges that increasingly transcend national borders.
AI, Climate & Innovation: Rethinking Our Sustainable Future
The second session focused on one of the defining questions of the coming decade: how can technological innovation contribute to sustainable development while remaining responsible and inclusive?
Discussions examined the intersection of artificial intelligence, climate action, innovation, technology, and the changing global economy.
The session featured Prof. Shijith Kumar P M, Ms. Marmolejo Sandoval Estefania, Mr. Hyunwoo Cho, Ms. Awantika Prerna Toppo, and Dr. Vinod K Subramani.
The conversation underscored both the opportunities created by emerging technologies and the importance of ensuring that innovation contributes to broader societal and environmental goals.
Ideas into Action: Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Sustainable Communities
The third session shifted the conversation from ideas toward implementation.
Featuring Ms. Bomin Kim, Mr. Jay Lee, and Ms. Steffi Lionel the session explored entrepreneurship, innovation, business, and community-building as practical pathways for creating sustainable social impact.
Speakers considered how entrepreneurial thinking and innovative initiatives can help transform ambitious ideas into tangible solutions for communities.
From Dialogue to Action
A major component of the programme was the closing roundtable, “From Dialogue to Action,” which encouraged speakers and participants to reflect on how ideas emerging from academic, policy, technological, and entrepreneurial discussions can be translated into concrete initiatives and longer-term collaboration.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Rajiv Kumar, followed by networking and refreshments, giving participants an opportunity to build connections across universities, research institutions, businesses, and professional communities.
“The future of sustainable development will not be shaped by governments or institutions alone. It will also be shaped by the ideas, choices, innovations, and leadership of the next generation. Through this Dialogue, the India–Korea Forum seeks to provide young people with a platform where their voices can move from conversation to collaboration and from ideas to action.”
— Prof. Rajiv Kumar, Director, India–Korea Forum
Connecting India, Korea and the Wider World
The NextGen Global Dialogue on Sustainable Development 2026 reflects the India–Korea Forum’s broader effort to build platforms connecting India, Korea, and the wider international community, while creating greater space for emerging scholars and next-generation leaders.
By bringing together perspectives from academia, public policy, technology, business, entrepreneurship, and civil society, the Dialogue sought to encourage interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches to sustainable development.
The event also forms part of IKF’s expanding initiatives to promote next-generation leadership, knowledge exchange, international networking, and future-oriented cooperation.
