INVITATION: JOIN US AT THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS CEREMONY;
CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS & LET’s CELEBRATE THE #WorldWaterDay & #WaterActionDecade Together… #JUCAwardsCeremony2025 – On Saturday, March 22, 2025 (Virtual)

“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.”
 — Jacques Yves Cousteau.

The invitation is updated with the four new presenters from the 2023 J.U.C. Awards Recipients.

When: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) | 18:00 TR | 16:00 Nigeria |17:00 Burundi | 20:30  India & Sri Lanka (Please check out your Time Zone)

Link to REGISTER (Required – Please Register): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NzeQL8kaTmulnJZDt-j48w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information through Zoom about joining the meeting.

THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS CEREMONY TENTATIVE PROGRAM #JUCAwardsCeremony2025
#WorldWaterDay | #WaterDay2025 | #WaterActionDecade | #22March

OPENING MUSIC BY: 
Mr. ALI TUNA ÖZER, Pianist/Composer, “Aydınlık Yarınlar” (To Bright Tomorrows), IB student at Koç High School in Istanbul (17 years old.) 

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Ms. BİRCAN ÜNVER, Author & Director of the Project , LMGlobal.Org &
Moderator of the Award Ceremony

OPENING REMARKS BY
Ambassador Mr. RAMU DAMODARAN, the First Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative (2010-2021), and Permanent Observer for the University for Peace to the United Nations. 

OPENING REMARKS BY
Prof. OLCAY ÜNVER, Professor of Practice, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Polytechnic School, Environmental and Resource Management Program, Arizona State University;  Member, Water Policy Group & Vice-Chair, United Nations-Water (2018-2020)
; Advisory Board Member of The Light Millennium Global & the Co-Chair of the 2025 Evaluation Committee.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY
[Former] Ambassador  Mr. RODRIGO A. CARAZO of Costa Rica to the United Nations (2018-2022);
Currently, Member of the Human Rights Committee in Geneva, an Advisory Board Member of Light Millennium Global, and a Co-Chair of the 2025 Evaluation Committee.

THE RESEARCH CATEGORY Introduction & Presenter
Ambassador Mr. YOGENDRA KUMAR of India (Retired) & Author of two books & Editor another
The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee Member

THE INNOVATION CATEGORY – Introduction & Presenter:
By Prof. GUNAY SMITH, Professor of Biological and Chemical Sciences at Southside Virginia Community College (Retired.); Adviser, LMGlobal.Org; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee.
Also:
Presenter: Mr. REN JIE, Ph.D. Candidate (2029), School of Marxism, Environmental Politics and Ecological Civilization, Peking University, China; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee

MEDIA Category Introduction & Presenter
By Ms. ILKNUR BORAY, Vice President of the Ataturk Society of America & The World Ataturk Platform; and Member of the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee.
Also:
Presenters:
Miss. KAVISHA AMANDI JAYARATNE, 2023 Media Category 1st Place Winner, Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Miss. R.A. RUKSHANA R.A. 2023 Media Category 2nd Place Winner/Intl. Student Coordinator
IGEN – Contributing Organization, Chennai, India

INTRODUCTION WRITING CATEGORY & PRESENTER 
By Ambassador Mr. RODRIGO A. CARAZO
Also:
Presenters:
Miss. DURU BÜYÜKBASARAN, 2023 Writing/TR First Place Winner, Ankara, Türkiye
And:
Ms. VRUSHALI GAIKWAD, LMGlobal.Org – Youth Board Member (2024-2026), Software Engineer
Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee

INTRODUCTION OF THE SPECIAL AWARDS
By BİRCAN ÜNVER
Presenters:
• President’s Special Award of the Light Millennium
• Jacques Cousteau Special Award by The Light Millennium TV
Ambassador Mr. RAMU DAMODARAN, the First Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative (2010-2021), and Permanent Observer for the University for Peace to the United Nations.
And:
• Special Award by Ataturk Society of America
Ms. İLKNUR BORAY, V.P. Atatürk Society of America & The World Atatürk Platform

OVERALL EXCELLENCE   
Presenter: Mr. MUHAMMET Ali TURAN, Overall Excellence Award Recipient of the 2023 J.U.C. Awards, Ankara, Türkiye

ENCOURAGEMENT  AWARDS – Non-Monetary Awards  
• Presenters: Dr. DAHLIA SABRI, Chair, IWRA-Egypt Chapter; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee;
And:
Ms. VRUSHALI GAIKWAD, LMGlobal.Org – Youth Board Member (2024-2026), Software Engineer
Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee

CONCLUDING REMARKS  

H.E. Mr. TEBURORO TITO, Ambassador to the U.S. and Permanent Representative to the U.N. – Kiribati Mission To the United Nations

THANK YOU NOTES / CERTIFICATES / CLOSING SECTION
a) Certificates by Ms. MİMOZA İRTEM, Project Assistant, Tech Support/Co-host of the Award Ceremony &
b) THANK YOU Notes & WHAT IS NEXT? & ANNOUNCEMENTS by the Moderator

INVITATION: JOIN US AT THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS CEREMONY (Virtual), CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS & LET’s CELEBRATE THE #WorldWaterDay & #WaterActionDecade Together…

[LMGlobal.Org] The Light Millennium Global proudly presents the third (bi-annual) 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Innovation, and Writing Awards Ceremony to the award-winning international high school students. The 2025 J.U.C. Awards have been dedicated to the #WaterActionDecade theme, along with the following concept, “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.”
 by Jacques Yves Cousteau (1910-1997) as an inspiration source across all four categories, which was initially announced on March 24, 2024. This led to the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee introducing a “Special Award” to honor the name of Jacques Yves Cousteau, which is sponsored by #LightMillenniumTV and will be announced at the Award Ceremony.
As a result of that, the Organization has increased the number of monetary awards from 13 to 16, while the number of non-monetary awards remains unchanged as per the Guidelines. The other two newly introduced Special Awards are one sponsored by the Atatürk Society of America, while the other one by the President of LMGlobal.org 

The Encouragement Awards Category as non-monetary awards remains unchanged as per the Guidelines, whose submissions were mainly ranked in the Fourth Place in each initially announced category, such as Media, Research, Innovation & Writing Categories. The award recipients of this category will be recognized through an “Encouragement Award” Certificate and an equal presentation time at the Award Ceremony for a one-minute #WaterActionCommitment to be considered in the print book project as an outcome of the 2025 J.U.C. Awards, which is projected to come out in December 2025 or during the 2026 World Water Day in March.

What will the Winners of the High school students receive (monetary awards)?
1. Overall Excellence $500 | 1st Place in each category $300 | 2nd Place in each category $200 | 3rd Place in each category $100 | Each Special Award recipient will receive $200 monetary awards.

The Awards will be presented by esteemed speakers, co-chairs, and members of the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee, along with the four 2023 J.U.C. Awards Overall, Writing, Media award recipients based in India & Türkiye.

The submissions to the 2025 J.U.C. Awards were received in five countries: Burundi, India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Türkiye.

We invite you to join us at the [virtual] Awards Ceremony to celebrate and congratulate our bright, award-winning students on Saturday, March 22, 2025, on the #WorldWaterDay at 11:00 AM EST to recognize the top three awardees in each category and Overall Excellence winner, while also getting inspired and committing to the Water Action Decade!

Let’s come together to celebrate the next generation of #ChangeMakers and reaffirm our dedication to protecting our planet’s most precious resource—water!

When: Saturday, Mar 22, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) | 18:00 TR | 16:00 Nigeria | 17:00 Burundi | 20:30  India & Sri Lanka (Please check your time zone)
Link to REGISTER (Required):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NzeQL8kaTmulnJZDt-j48w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information through Zoom about joining the meeting.

Newsletter #16 | February 27, 2025 | Brief Bios of the Award Winning Students
NOW, WE HAVE THE WINNERS… 
RIGOROUS EVALUATION PROCESS HAS BEEN CONCLUDED. #JUCAwards2025
https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=0a57be70a4f41fe1e5468789e&id=a4a6eda2cc

Newsletter #15| February 17, 2025 
LET’S MEET THE FINALIST OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS! #JUCAwards2025 

BRIEF BIOS OF THE SPEAKERS, PRESENTERS & EVALUATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Opening Music by: Mr. ALI TUNA ÖZER, Pianist/Composer, “Aydınlık Yarınlar” (To Bright Tomorrows), IB student at Koç High School in Istanbul, a 17-year old, 11th grade IB student at Koç High School in Istanbul. He has been playing piano since  he was 5 years old and composing since he was 14 years old

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Ms. BİRCAN ÜNVER, M.A., Author & Director of the J.U.C. Awards Project, LMGlobal.Org; Moderator of the Award Ceremony
Bircan, Producer, Originator, Founder-President & Head Rep. of The Light Millennium, Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization (LMGlobal.Org) to the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC).


Bircan has been leading and producing all aspects of LMGlobal.Org’s e-publications and public programs and The Light Millennium Television (#LMTV; #LightMillenniumTV) Programs since 2000. Officially formed in New York in 2001.
 She carried out The Light Millennium’s association with the U.N. as an NGO in 2005 and has been Head-NGO Rep. to the UNDGC since then.
 Bircan is the Peace and Goodwill Ambassador for Anuvibha (based in Jaipur, India) to the United Nations.
 She is a recipient of various national (U.S.) and international awards and recognitions. 
Bircan is the author of four Turkish and one English book in print including “Hope Never Fades” (2023, concept & compiled).

She holds a master’s degree (M.A.) in Media Studies from the New School University (1999, NYC), and a B.A. in Fine Arts from the Mimar Sinan University (1988).

OPENING REMARKS BY
Ambassador Mr. RAMU DAMODARAN,  the First Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative (2010-2021), and currently, Permanent Observer for the University for Peace to the United Nations.  
Mr. Damodaran joined the United Nations Department of Global Communications in 1996; his responsibilities in the Department have included oversight of relationships with civil society, the creative community, and celebrity advocates, publications (including as Chief Editor of the UN Chronicle), the Dag Hammarskjold Library and the United Nations Academic Impact which he was asked by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to devise and lead. He has also been secretary of the United Nations General Assembly’s Committee on Information since 2011. He completed his career with the United Nations in May 2021.
His earlier Secretariat assignments included the Departments of Special Political Questions and Peacekeeping as well as speechwriting in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. He was spokesman for the “Durban Review” human rights conference in 2009 and has fulfilled a range of speaking engagements on behalf of the Organization over his career.
As a member of the Indian Foreign Service, where he was promoted to the rank of ambassador, he served as executive assistant to the Prime Minister of India between 1991 and 1994 and earlier in the Ministries of External Affairs, Home Affairs, Defence, Planning, and Human Resource Development. Before joining government service in India, he worked as a television news anchor, radio producer and host, and university correspondent for All India Radio and the Hindustan Times Evening News. His radio feature on university students in Delhi won the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union award. Ramu also served as President of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council.

OPENING REMARKS by
Prof. OLCAY ÜNVER, Professor of Practice, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Polytechnic School, Environmental and Resource Management Program, Arizona State University;  Member, Water Policy Group & Vice-Chair, United Nations-Water (2018-2020)
;
Advisory Board Member of The Light Millennium Global & and Co-Chair of the 2025 Evaluation Committee
Prof. Olcay Ünver is a global leader in water policy. He is currently a Professor of Practice at the Environmental and Resource Management Program at Arizona State University and a member of the Water Policy Group. He served as Vice Chair of UN-Water from 2018 to 2020 and is senior water advisor to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

In his public service career spanning three decades, he led FAO’s water programs and activities, UN-Water’s World Water Assessment Programme, and UNESCO’s Program Office on Global Water Assessment.
Before joining the United Nations, he was a distinguished professor of water resources at Kent State University, Ohio, and President of the Southeastern Anatolia Project in Turkey, where he transformed a large infrastructure project into a sustainable socioeconomic development program.
In 1999, he was listed among the 19 “European Visionaries” by Time Magazine and was featured in the New York Times for his efforts towards sustainable, human-centered development. He served as Secretary General and Vice President of IWRA (International Water Resources Association), and Governor and Treasurer of World Water Council.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY
[Former] Ambassador  Mr. RODRIGO A. CARAZO of Costa Rica to the United Nations (2018-2022); Currently, Member of the Human Rights Committee in Geneva; Advisory Board Member of the Light Millennium Global, and Co-Chair of the 2025 Evaluation Committee
Rodrigo Alberto Carazo Zeledón (born 1948) is a Costa Rican politician, economist, lawyer, and political scientist who was elected in June 2022 to a four-year term (from January 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2026) as a member of the UN Human Rights Committee by the state parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Mr. Carazo served as the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations from 2018-2022, and chaired several committees at the UN during his tenure, among them being Vice President (2021) and President (January-June 2022) of UNICEF.
Mr. Carazo’s professional development in the public sector includes being the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Costa Rica (1993-1997) and being a member of the Legislative Assembly (2002-2006).

THE RESEARCH CATEGORY Presented by:
Ambassador Mr. YOGENDRA KUMAR of India (Retired) & Author of two books & Editor another, Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee
Ambassador Yogendra Kumar retired from the Indian Foreign Service in 2012 in the rank of Vice Minister. At the time of his retirement, he was Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, with concurrent accreditation to the Pacific island countries of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. He has, earlier, been High Commissioner to Namibia and Ambassador to Tajikistan (2000-03) during which period he also handled the Afghanistan affairs; he was also the Indian Consul General at Tashkent covering the whole of Central Asia. He has, at different times, served in Indian diplomatic missions at Moscow, London, Islamabad and Brussels. In New Delhi, he has served on the faculty of the National Defence College and, in the Ministry of External Affairs, he has handled multilateral organisations/dialogues (G8-G5 Dialogue, ASEAN, EAS, IBSA, IORA etc), Soviet and East European affairs, and Central Asian affairs after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Continuing association with Indian and foreign think tanks, he has been writing and speaking on foreign policy and security affairs to Indian and foreign readers/audiences besides contributing to books published in India and abroad since his retirement. His book, ‘Diplomatic Dimension of Maritime Challenges for India in the 21st Century’, has been published in 2015 by the Pentagon Press. He has edited and contributed to the book, ‘Whither Indian Ocean Maritime Order?’, containing presentations/articles by eminent security and foreign service experts at a seminar organised by him in November, 2016, on Prime Minister’s landmark speech on Indian Ocean policy; published by Knowledge World in 2017, this book was presented by the Indian delegation to the participating delegations, headed by their respective heads of state/government, at the First Indian Ocean Rim Association Leaders’ Summit in Jakarta in March, 2017. In 2020, Routledge have published his book, ‘Geopolitics in the Era of Globalisation: Mapping an Alternative Global Future’, in US, Europe and South Asia editions; he examines in it the dynamics of geopolitical changes post-Cold War and the current global challenges therefrom.

THE INNOVATION CATEGORY Presented by 
By Prof. GUNAY SMITH, Professor of Biological and Chemical Sciences at Southside Virginia Community College (Retired.); Adviser, LMGlobal.Org
Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee 
Dr. Gunay Smith is a biochemist and educator with extensive experience in academia, research, and advisory roles. She is an alumnus of Robert College School of Chemical Engineering and Bogazici University in Istanbul Turkey where she obtained MSc in Chemical Engineering.
With PhD in Biochemistry from Istanbul University’s Cerrahpasa Medical School and a background in chemical engineering, Dr. Smith has dedicated her career to advancing scientific knowledge, mentoring future leaders, and fostering international collaboration in education and research.
As associate professor at Bilkent University Molecular Biology and Genetics Department in Ankara, Turkey and professor at Southside Virginia Community College, VA she has played a pivotal role in curriculum development, interdisciplinary research, and student mentorship. Her expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cellular physiology has contributed to groundbreaking studies. She has several peer reviewed publications and authorships of chapters in two books.
Her professional journey spans decades of teaching and research across institutions such as TUBITAK, Turkey , Baylor College of Medicine, Houston  TX and Geisinger Clinic Weis Research Institute in PA. These experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of translational science, healthcare challenges, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in solving global issues.
Beyond academia, Dr. Smith brings a global perspective to advisory roles, leveraging her experience in nonprofit initiatives, scientific research, and cross-cultural engagement.
Committed to fostering science education, ethical research practices, and sustainable development, Dr. Smith is an advocate for equity in STEM education and international partnerships that drive meaningful global impact. 

THE INNOVATION CATEGORY (Third-Award) Presented by 
Mr. REN JIE, Ph.D. Candidate (2029), School of Marxism, Environmental Politics and Ecological Civilization, Peking University, China; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee
Ren Jie is a PhD candidate at the School of Marxism at Peking University, specializing in environmental politics and China’s ecological civilization. His research focuses on ecological justice and the theory and practice of China’s ecological civilization,
with several publications in leading academic journals. Ren Jie has also served as an intern at the World Health Organization (WHO), where he gained practical experience in global health policies and their intersection with environmental sustainability. Additionally, he has conducted academic visits and exchanges in Japan, Hong Kong, and other regions.Previously, as president of the Qingfeng Environmental Protection Association at Shandong University, he led over 500 students in coastal cleanup initiatives, fostering environmental awareness and community engagement. Ren Jie’s academic and professional endeavors reflect his commitment to advancing ecological civilization and sustainable development through interdisciplinary research and active participation in global and local environmental initiatives. 

MEDIA CATEGORY Presented by
By Ms. ILKNUR BORAY, Vice President of the Ataturk Society of America &
The World Ataturk Platform; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation  Committee Member
İlknur Boray, First Vice President of The Ataturk World Platform and the Ataturk Society of America, spoke on “Teaching Peace Through Global Learning with ICTs.” Ms. Boray’s talk was concentrated on the educational reforms started and initiated by the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938). Ataturk was a firm believer in the power of science and reasoning. He also established friendship with all neighbors of the Republic, by forming the seeds of peace in that part of the world and beyond. From reading to geography, he was involved in every detail of making subjects more clear and accessible to students and to the public in general. The literacy rate was only around 10% in the country, in 1923, when the republic was established formally. Ataturk’s reforms on education had a great impact on modernizing the country. His forward thinking, and reforms in many fields; education being an important one, continue to be a shining light leading the way to a modern, science-based education system, that promotes peace; despite attempts and the oppressive approach of the current regime in today’s Turkiye. 
Ms. Boray underlined Ataturk’s vision on the importance of the education system and curriculum being scientific and followed this issue with great importance with a quote by Atatürk:  “For everything in the world, for material things, for spiritual things, for success, the most real guide is science and knowledge. To seek a guide other than science and knowledge is negligence, ignorance, and misguidance.”

WRITING CATEGORY (Third Place) Presented by: 
Ms. VRUSHALI GAIKWAD, LMGlobal.Org – Youth Board Member (2024-2026), Software Engineer; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee
Ms. Gaikwad, Software Engineer, MS in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology
Vrushali Gaikwad is an accomplished Software Engineer with a rich background in the field of Computer Engineering and Information Technology. She is currently working as a Software Engineer at Warner Bros. & Discovery at Live Media Core Organization. She holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology and a Software Engineering certification from SIT. Her research interests and expertise include Video processing and multimedia technology. She is a co-founder of Video research labs at Stevens that is focused on building innovative technologies to improve video quality experience by using AI algorithms. She also serves as a mentor in guiding the next generation of engineers and researchers in the field of software engineering. She participated in various research workshops, and seminars, such as the NAB Show, Marconi Society, etc., and software development programs. In addition to her academic achievements, Vrushali is an active contributor to non-profit organizations such as Unicef, NAMI, Opportunity Village, and more.

ENCOURAGEMENT  AWARDS – Presented by 
Dr. DAHLIA SABRI, Board member at IWRA and Chair of the IWRA-Egypt Chapter
Dr. Sabri is an Adviser in water resources engineering; Member, The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee
Dahlia holds a Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering from the University of TU-Berlin, Germany, a Master of Science in Water Resources-Engineering from Lund University, Sweden, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt.
Dahlia has worked with the UN, EU, government agencies, and the private sector in the MENA region, Sweden, and Germany. She is an expert on water reuse, groundwater, and soil salinity modeling. Her main skills are in smart water management, numerical models, hydraulics, and hydrology. She is involved as a manager and designer on major infrastructure projects in the MENA region, including Egypt, Qatar, and Kuwait. This includes the design and modeling of water transmission and distribution networks, irrigation and treated sewage effluent systems, urban drainage, green infrastructure, and wastewater networks. She is a Board member at IWRA (International Water Resources Association), Chair of the IWRA-Egypt Chapter, and Founder of MEYAH NGO.

THANK YOU  CERTIFICATES / CLOSING SECTION
Ms. MİMOZA İRTEM, Project Assistant, Tech Support/Co-host of the Award Ceremony  & UN Youth Representative at LMGlobal.Org

Mimoza has a strong background in development, communications, and project management. Currently serving as a Project Development Assistant and UN Youth Representative at Light Millennium Global, Mimoza manages outreach efforts and project development for the organization. Her previous experience includes roles at The Writing Revolution, where she developed fundraising materials and coordinated donor engagement initiatives, and Mercado Global, where she honed her grant writing skills. Mimoza holds a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Computing and a Minor in Anthropology from UCLA. Passionate about social impact, Mimoza is committed to enhancing the visibility and effectiveness of organizations dedicated to making a difference.

THE 2023 J.U.C. AWARD WINNERS JOIN US AS GUEST PRESENTERS TO PASS ON THE TORCH TO THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARD WINNERS:
Presenter: Mr. MUHAMMET Ali TURAN
Overall Excellence Award Recipient of the 2023 J.U.C. Awards –
Writing#7/TR100 – “Same Mindset in Different Centuries” 
Şehit Velit Bekdaş Anatolian High School, Ankara, Türkiye

Miss. DURU BÜYÜKBAŞARAN
2023 Writing/TR100 First Place Winner
W1/TR100: “Peace at Home, Peace in the World”
Ankara University Developmental Foundation Private Anatolian High School (ANKÜ), Ankara, Türkiye

Miss. KAVISHA AMANDI JAYARATHNE
2023 Media Category, First Place Winner,
M1: “See the Human” (Gender Equality)
Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Miss. R.A. RUKHSHANA
2023 Media Category, Second Place Winner
M2: “My Favorite SDG#7”
Velammal Vidyalaya, CBSE, Chennai, India &
The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Intl. Student Coordinator & IGEN – Contributing Organization, Chennai, India

DISCLOSURE: 1. All the 2023 J.U.C. Awards evaluated submissions are available through this website: www.lmglobal.org
2. The #HopeNeverFades book (2023, in print), compiled the contents of both the 2021 & 2023 J.U.C. Awards; Overall, First and Second Place award winning pieces.

GLOBAL PARTICIPATION AND IMPACT

The 2025 J.U.C. Awards received submissions from students at several schools and organizations around the world, including:

• Darüşşafaka High School (Istanbul, Türkiye)
• Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• The Institution of Green Engineers (IGEN) (Chennai, India)
• Association of Young Leaders United for Sustainable Development (Burundi)

The program’s success is also due to the dedicated efforts of its student coordinators:

• Duygu Büyükbaşaran (Türkiye)
• Rukhshana R.A. (India)
• Lyonga Jewis (Cameroon)
• Mimoza Irtem (Türkiye)

NOW, WE HAVE THE WINNERS… (Brief Bios of the Students)
#JUCAwards2025 RIGOROUS EVALUATION PROCESS HAS BEEN CONCLUDED.

ABOUT THE J.U.C. AWARDS

The 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Writing & Innovation Awards dedicated to the #WaterActionDecade, challenging high school students to address global water issues, has concluded with a strong showing of young talent. The program has steadily grown since 2021 as a bi-annual program, receiving 48 submissions from five countries: Burundi, India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Türkiye for 2025.

Brief History of the J.U.C. Awards

The J.U.C. Media, Research, and Writing Awards were initiated in 2020 by the Light Millennium, a global humanitarian organization. The program was inspired by the legacy of John Unver Culkin (J.U.C.) and aims to empower young people to address global challenges through creative expression and critical thinking. The J.U.C. Awards foster a new generation of global citizens committed to sustainable development by providing a platform for students to showcase their talents and ideas.

“In Loving Memory of J.U.C.”; the 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Writing & Innovation Awards designed for international High School students by The Light Millennium, Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization (LMGlobal.Org, 2001, New York) With Tax-Exempt Status#501(c)3.

BOOKLETS

2023 J.U.C. Awards / Booklet#3
https://lightmillennium.org/juc-awards/2023/juc-awards-booklet3-2023-final.pdf
2021 J.U.C. Awards / Booklet#2 https://www.lmglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-jucawards-booklet-with-bios-for-june-4.pdf
2020 J.U.C. Awards / Booklet#1 http://www.lightmillennium.org/juc-awards/concept-definition-timeline-quideline-nd-potential-scholarship.pdf

REFERENCES

#JUCAWARDS2025: NOW, WE HAVE THE WINNERS…THE RIGOROUS EVALUATION PROCESS HAS BEEN CONCLUDED. | March 14, 2025

#JUCAwards2025: NOW, WE HAVE THE WINNERS…THE RIGOROUS EVALUATION PROCESS HAS BEEN CONCLUDED.

Related Newsletters:
Newsletter #17 | March 13, 2025:
INVITATION: JOIN US AT THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS CEREMONY (Virtual), CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS & LET’s CELEBRATE THE #WorldWaterDay & #WaterActionDecade Together…
https://mailchi.mp/lightmillennium/light-millennium-march13-2025-newsletter17?e=6ea1912ec7

• UN DGC Weekly / Bi-Weekly – The Week of the 10th of March 2025:
https://mailchi.mp/un/announcements-for-civil-society-10march2025x2-13674861?e=6063b9e641

Newsletter #16 | February 27, 2025

Now, We Have The Winners… 
#JUCAwards2025: The Rigorous Evaluation Process Has Been Concluded.Newsletter #15 |
https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=0a57be70a4f41fe1e5468789e&id=a4a6eda2cc

Newsletter#15 | February 17, 2025

Let’s Meet the Finalists of the First Round of the Evaluation Process for the 2025 J.U.C. Awards

https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=0a57be70a4f41fe1e5468789e&id=d25c1e625b

Newsletter #7 | December 5, 2024
Global Youth Rise to the Water Challenge: 2025 J.U.C. Awards Inspire Young Minds #JUCAwards2025
https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=0a57be70a4f41fe1e5468789e&id=7ca4081e36

• THE OUTCOME OF THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS FIRST-ROUND EVALUATION PROCESS https://www.lmglobal.org/2025/02/17/lets-meet-the-first-round-finalists-of-the-2025-j-u-c-awards/

• 2025 Research, Innovation & Writing Category Submissions: https://www.lmglobal.org/2025/01/04/the-2025-j-u-c-media-research-writing-innovation-awards-received-submissions /

• 2025 Media Category: https://www.lmglobal.org/2025/01/04/jucmediaawards-the-2025-j-u-c-media-awards-submissions/https://www.lmglo bal.org/2024/12/05/global-youth-rise-to-the-water-challenge-2025-j-u-c-awards-inspire-young-minds-jucawards2025/

• Summary of the INFORMATIVE SESSION ON THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS https://www.lmglobal.org/2024/06/29/summary-informative-session-on-the-2025-j-u-c-awards/

• An Interview: On the 2025 J.U.C. Awards https://www.lmglobal.org/2024/06/29/an-interview-on-the-2025-j-u-c-awards-with-bircan-unver/

• 2024: Initial Call/Guidelines: https://www.lmglobal.org/2024/03/14/call-to-high-school-students-for-entries-to-the-2025-j-u-c-awards-the-water-cycl e-and-the-life-cycle-are-one/

• Book #HopeNeverFades – Launching Event https://www.lmglobal.org/2023/10/18/hope-never-fades-book-launching-at-the-40th-tuyap-istanbul-bookfair-on-nov-3- 2023/

• Media Release: https://www.lmglobal.org/2023/10/22/new-book-hope-never-fades-a-compilation-based-on-the-2021-2023-j-u-c-award s/

• Video #HopeNeverFades https://vimeo.com/854235354

• (2023) The Outcome of the 2023 J.U.C. Awards: “THE BIGGEST BATTLE IS THE BATTLE AGAINST IGNORANCE
https://www.lmglobal.org/2023/07/04/the-biggest-battle-is-the-battle-against-ignorance-outcome-of-the-2023-j-u-c-aw ards/

• (2021) The winners are… The 2021 J.U.C. Awards presented… https://www.lmglobal.org/2021/06/12/the-winners-are-the-2021-juc-awards-presented/

• (2020) The Story of the J.U.C. M.R.W. Awards https://lightmillennium.org/juc-awards/juc-media-research-writing-awards-story.pdf

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