2026 Youth Leadership & Policy Insight Forum Concludes Successfully
Connecting Emerging Leaders Across Continents to Explore Public Policy, Global Governance, and Social Responsibility
By keyang Pang and Bo Xiao
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — June 6, 2026 — The inaugural Youth Leadership & Policy Insight Forum (YLPI), organized by the Los Angeles-based KJ Institute, concluded successfully on June 6, bringing together more than 50 students, scholars, researchers, community leaders, and public affairs professionals from the United States, South Korea, Malaysia, and other regions for a meaningful dialogue on youth leadership, public policy, global governance, and social responsibility.
Conducted virtually, the forum welcomed participants from Seoul, Busan, Kuala Lumpur, California, Florida, and beyond. Through a diverse lineup of speakers from academia, business, government, and nonprofit sectors, the event highlighted the growing importance of international collaboration in preparing the next generation of global leaders.
The forum opened with welcoming remarks from Jennifer Liu, President of the YLPI Organizing Committee, who emphasized that in an era defined by globalization and rapid transformation, cultivating young leaders with international perspectives, social responsibility, and innovative thinking has become more important than ever.
Former California Assemblymember Mike Eng who was also the former Mayor of the city of Monterey Park, former Vice President of the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees, and currently the Vice President and elected Director of the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District，served as moderator and officially opened the forum, introducing the event’s mission and distinguished guests.
A distinguished group of keynote speakers shared insights on leadership, civic engagement, international cooperation, technological innovation, and global governance.
U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu congratulated organizers on the successful launch of the forum and announced the recipients of the inaugural YLPI Youth Leadership Awards. Drawing from her own decades of public service, she encouraged young people to become active participants in civic life and to contribute not only through academic excellence but also through leadership and community engagement.
Joining the forum virtually, A.C. Green, NBA champion and President of the A.C. Green Youth Foundation, shared personal lessons on integrity, perseverance, service, and leadership. He encouraged young leaders to pursue excellence while remaining committed to making a positive impact on their communities.
Additional keynote speakers included Dr. Fangfei Dong, Senior Fellow at the USC Gould School of Law Center for Transnational Law and Business and Executive Director of Women in International Trade Orange County; Professor Zeljana Zmire of the Graduate School of International Studies at Pusan National University; and Dr. Xiuli (Tina) Chen, researcher affiliated with Hanyang University’s Department of Global Strategy and Intelligence Studies and credited producer of the Academy Award-winning film Hacksaw Ridge.
Their presentations explored topics including international cooperation, technological transformation, geopolitics, interdisciplinary innovation, and the future of global governance. Collectively, they encouraged participants to utilize platforms such as YLPI to broaden their academic horizons, strengthen international connections, and explore meaningful pathways toward future leadership.
A major highlight of the forum was the featured presentation by Louie Liu, recipient of the YLPI Gold Medal for Global Youth Leadership and Policy Impact, the forum’s highest youth leadership distinction.
Liu shared the inspiration and journey behind Better Health, Better Lives, a humanitarian initiative he founded after witnessing healthcare disparities among underserved Indigenous communities in Malaysia. During a visit to Orang Asli villages two years ago, he observed firsthand the challenges caused by limited access to healthcare services, sanitation infrastructure, and health education. Motivated by the belief that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to live a healthy life, he transformed concern into action.
Through collaboration with healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, volunteers, and community partners, Liu successfully mobilized support for the initiative. Working alongside the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the Lions Club of Serdang, and various local organizations, the project has provided health screenings, deworming treatment, nutritional assistance, educational resources, and community outreach programs that have significantly improved the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Building upon these efforts, Liu established a collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), one of Malaysia’s leading public research universities, to advance research on G6PD deficiency, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
Building upon these efforts, Liu established a collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), one of Malaysia’s leading public research universities, to advance research on G6PD deficiency, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Beyond scientific research, the partnership is expected to create opportunities for university students to participate in community service, healthcare outreach, leadership development, and social innovation initiatives.
Reflecting on his leadership journey, Liu shared three lessons that have guided his growth: passion matters more than age, meaningful change requires patience, and lasting impact begins with the courage to take the first step. He encouraged fellow young people not to wait for perfect circumstances before pursuing meaningful action and social change.
In addition to Liu, the 2026 YLPI Award recipients included:
- YLPI Global Changemaker Award — Ethan Wong
- YLPI Global Citizen Leadership Award — Yayi Wang
- YLPI Cross-Cultural Leadership and Humanitarian Impact Award — Yuannan (Kemi) Huang
- YLPI Rising Voices in Policy and Public Service Award — ZhenHai Wang
The award recipients also shared reflections on their academic achievements, community service experiences, and leadership development journeys，and Director of Areteem Institute Kelly Ren, also praised YLPI for creating an international platform that promotes youth leadership, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding.
The inaugural forum received strong support from professors, researchers, and academic partners affiliated with Hanyang University, Pusan National University, the University of Southern California, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), among others.
Looking ahead, YLPI organizers announced plans to expand international participation, deepen policy research and leadership development initiatives, and strengthen global youth engagement networks.
Following the forum, representatives from UKM expressed interest in exploring collaboration opportunities for the second YLPI Forum in 2027, reflecting the growing international momentum behind the initiative.
“The success of the inaugural YLPI Forum demonstrates the tremendous potential of international dialogue and youth engagement,” said Jennifer Liu. “By bringing together students, scholars, policymakers, and community leaders from around the world, we are building a platform that promotes understanding, innovation, and responsible leadership for future generations.”
About the Youth Leadership & Policy Insight Forum (YLPI)
The Youth Leadership & Policy Insight Forum (YLPI) is an international platform dedicated to cultivating future policy leaders and advancing research, dialogue, and practical solutions on critical issues of global governance.
Jointly founded by KJI/UNE, YLPI connects universities, policy institutes, scholars, community leaders, and emerging changemakers through annual forums, Policy & Strategy Labs, research and publication initiatives, leadership development programs, and a growing global internship network.
YLPI believes that young people should not merely be recipients of policy, but active contributors to shaping the future of society. By bridging academic excellence, public service, and international collaboration, YLPI empowers the next generation of leaders to move from insight to action and from participation to impact.
