Help shape Thriving Together.
What could happen if learners in different parts of the world used their agency to help people thrive—and learned from one another while doing it?
This is a promising direction, not a finished programme. We are inviting students, educators, researchers, organisations and communities to question it, enrich it and help turn it into something meaningful and possible.
From conversation to a project the world can help shape
A small international group explored learner agency, thriving and the value of connecting students across contexts. Their conversation was synthesised, researched and developed into an initial project direction. That first foundation now opens to wider collaboration.
Conversation
Different experiences and perspectives surfaced shared concerns and possibilities.
First direction
The group’s insights became a working idea, supported by contextual research.
Open collaboration
The public can now challenge, expand, adapt, test and help implement it.
Built through international dialogue
These educators contributed perspectives, questions and ideas that helped the project reach its current starting point. The next stage is an invitation for many more voices to join them.
Angelin Achari
Australia
Independent Schools Queensland →Rayan Katerki
Lebanon
TAMAM Project →Laurence McKell & Andrea Brayford-Ryder
York, United Kingdom
Queen Ethelburga’s →Bek Duyckers
Australia
Future Schools Australia →Sonia Wadhwa
India
Salwan Education Trust →Peter Foster
Queensland, Australia
The Industry School →Sam Irving
Uruguay
The Garzón School →One broad possibility, many ways it could evolve
Thriving Together begins with the belief that agency grows when learners have meaningful opportunities to understand a context, make real choices, act with others and reflect on what happens.
Learners take meaningful action
Students might identify an opportunity connected with thriving and decide how they could contribute in a way that matters locally.
Contexts learn from one another
Young people in different places might exchange perspectives and let those encounters influence their thinking or decisions.
Learning becomes visible
Stories, reflections, portfolios or other forms of evidence might show initiative, listening, adaptation and contribution.
Questions we hope collaborators will help answer
The project needs a diversity of voices before its format, participation model or possible pilot can be defined.
There are many ways to move the idea forward
You do not need to join a formal team. A thoughtful question, a relevant URL, a local story or an introduction to a possible partner can all strengthen the project.
Resources and projects that can inspire what comes next
These links informed the early thinking, but none defines the project. Browse what is useful, challenge what does not fit and suggest perspectives or examples that are missing.
Browse 9 background resources Agency, thriving, participation, evidence, intercultural learning, safeguarding and responsible AI
OECD · Student Agency for 2030
A foundation for agency, co-agency, responsibility, purpose and cultural variation.
WHO / PMNCH · Adolescent Well-being
A five-domain framework connecting health, relationships, safety, learning, agency and resilience.
Lundy Model of Participation
A practical model built around space, voice, audience and influence.
UNICEF · Engaged and Heard!
Guidance for meaningful, equitable adolescent participation and civic engagement.
UNESCO · Meaningful Youth Engagement
Practical guidance for moving beyond tokenism and creating genuine roles for young people.
Review of the Literature on Student Agency
A research base for thinking about authentic evidence of learning and agency.
Council of Europe · Intercultural Competence for All
Guidance for inclusive communication, cultural learning and sustained partnerships.
UNICEF · Youth-Led Action Resources
A collection covering consent, participation, safeguarding and online engagement.
UNESCO · Generative AI in Education
A human-centred framework for privacy, ethical use, age appropriateness and meaningful application.
Explore 10 project inspirations Examples of student-led action, global collaboration, mentoring, storytelling and evidence
Good Life Schools
Positive framing around community, well-being and planetary considerations.
Visit project →Design for Change
A memorable Feel → Imagine → Do → Share process and a global archive of student stories.
Visit project →Roots & Shoots
Asset-based community mapping, local action and celebration of contribution.
Visit project →iEARN Learning Circles
International classroom groups collaborating over time rather than only exchanging finished work.
Visit project →The Goals Project
A time-bounded global structure with age grouping, guidance, facilitation and reflection.
Visit project →Take Action Global
Local inquiry, international connection, action and celebration in a shared experience.
Visit project →UNICEF UPSHIFT
Human-centred design, mentorship, prototyping and support for implementation.
Visit project →Global Social Leaders
Evidence, feedback, check-ins and recognition for courage, adaptation and learning.
Visit project →Global Youth Service Day
A broad action menu spanning service, advocacy, research, kindness and education.
Visit project →The World’s Largest Lesson
Adaptable materials using film, art, storytelling, mapping and community action.
Visit project →See the thinking that came before the project page
The Group 1 insights capture the original themes, questions and possibilities contributed by participants.
Help shape what Thriving Together could become
Use the form to contribute an idea, URL, resource, local context, question, partnership possibility or expression of interest. You can make a small contribution or tell us that you would like to become more deeply involved.
Every submission will help the ChangeEd team understand what the project needs and where future collaboration may be possible.