#JUCAwards2025 | #JUCAwardsCeremony2025 | #WaterActionDecade | #WorldWaterDay2025

Through the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Ceremony on #WorldWaterDay, March 22, 2026, each of the award recipients out of 20 made a one-minute #WaterActionCommitment at the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Ceremony on March 22, 2025
. | Updated on April 3, 2025.

The 2025 J.U.C. Awards Ceremony – Booklet#5 | Newsletter#19

#JUCAwardsCeremony2025: The Youth’s Voices Can Shape A Future Where Clean Water Is Truly Accessible To All.

Summary by Mimoza IRTEM, Youth Rep. of the Light Millennium Global to the United Nations Department of Global Communications (2024)

[LMGlobal.Org] The Light Millennium Global proudly presented the third 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Innovation, and Writing Awards Ceremony to the award-winning international high school students on the #WorldWaterDay on March 22, 2025. The 2025 J.U.C. Awards 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.

The ceremony opened with a piano performance titled, “Aydınlık Yarınlara” (To Bright Tomorrows) composed and performed by Ali Tuna Özer, a student pianist at IB Koc High School (17 years old), followed by welcoming remarks from Bircan Ünver, the project director and moderator.

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Ramu Damodaran: “Water, often taken for granted, has the power to sustain life but also drive competition and conflict.”
Ambassador Ramu Damodaran, the first Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative and Permanent Observer for the University for Peace to the United Nations, delivered opening remarks emphasizing the critical importance of water and the United Nations. He reflected on how water, often taken for granted, has the power to sustain life but also drives competition and conflict. Drawing a parallel, he warned against taking the United Nations for granted, urging young people to recognize its role in maintaining global peace and cooperation. He also honored the memory of John Unver Culkin (J.U.C.), sharing his poem titled, “Homeless” (2008) about kindness and humility. Through this, Ambassador Damodaran underscored the need for collective human action and compassion, asserting that while science can aid progress, true change relies on human will and resolve.

Opening Remarks by Prof. Olcay Ünver: Urged the high school students “to integrate water consciousness into their future careers.”
Professor Olcay Ünver is a Professor of Practice, at Arizona State University Fulton Schools of Engineering Environmental and Resource Management Program; Member, of Water Policy Group & Vice-Chair, United Nations-Water (2018-2020); Advisory Board Member of LMGlobal.org & the Co-Chair of the 2025 Evaluation Committee. Professor Ünver followed with his opening remarks, acknowledging the milestone of the fifth annual World Water Day program organized by Light Millennium. He emphasized the progress made during the Water Action Decade, which will conclude in 2028, and highlighted two major achievements: the development of the Water Action Agenda, which has received over 800 contributions globally, and the revival of the United Nations’ direct focus on water issues. He pointed to the 2023 UN Water Conference as a significant milestone after 47 years without a dedicated global conference on water, signaling the next UN Water Conference in 2026. Addressing the students in attendance, Professor Ünver encouraged them to maintain a broad perspective, recognizing the cross-cutting impact of water across all sectors and disciplines. He urged them to integrate water consciousness into their future careers, whether in science, technology, or other fields, reinforcing the idea that water is fundamental to global sustainability and cooperation.

Keynote Address by Ambassador Rodrigo Carazo: “Water is not only an environmental issue but a fundamental justice issue.“
[Former] Ambassador Rodrigo Carazo, Costa Rica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2018 to 2022 a member of the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva, and the co-chair of the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee, delivered the keynote address. He reflected on the indispensable need for clean water, emphasizing its recognition as a fundamental human right. He also highlighted the 2018 launch of the Water Action Decade, responding to a projected 40% shortfall in freshwater resources by 2030 due to climate change and population growth. Stressing that water is not only an environmental issue but a fundamental justice issue, he pointed out that millions still lack access to safe drinking water, despite global commitments. Ambassador Carazo underscored the role of young people in driving change, encouraging them to use writing, activism, science, and policymaking to advocate for clean water access. He urged them to continue questioning, proposing solutions, and inspiring action, reminding them that their voices can shape a future where clean water is truly accessible to all.

THE INTRODUCERS, PRESENTERS AND THE WINNERS ARE…

The Awards Introduced & Presented by the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Committee, along with three presenters from the 2023 Award Recipients…
The 2025 J.U.C. Awards featured a distinguished group of presenters, whose also as majority are members of the 2025 Evaluation Committee, each contributing their expertise to recognize excellence in various categories. For the Research category, Ambassador Mr. Yogendra Kumar of India, a retired diplomat, author of two books, and editor of another, introduced the awards.

RESEARCH CATEGORY
• R2 Çağan Aras İncel – First Place (Ankara, Türkiye): Grey Water Systems for Sustainable Urban Water Management: A Case Study Approach

• R4 Shai Rukhshan – Second Place (Chennai, India) Water Scarcity Challenge And Solution

• R5 S.M. Vebinesh – Third Place (Chennai, India) Water Purification Using Organic Materials

The Innovation category was presented by Prof. Günay Smith, a retired Professor of Biological and Chemical Sciences at Southside Virginia Community College and an adviser at LMGlobal.Org, alongside Mr. Ren Jie, a Ph.D. candidate at Peking University in China.

INNOVATION CATEGORY
• INV6 Rukiye Özçelik – First Place (Istanbul, Türkiye) AquaGuard: THE FUTURE OF WATER PROTECTION

• INV1 Defne Aslan – Second Place (Istanbul, Türkiye) OxHygiene

• INV4 Kağan İpek – Third Place (Istanbul, Türkiye) Sustainable Water Management

The Media category was introduced by Ms. Iknur Boray, Vice President of the Atatürk Society of America & The World Atatürk Platform, with presenters Miss Kavisha Amandi Jayaratne, the 2023 Media Category 1st Place Winner from Sri Lanka, and Miss R.A. Rukshana R.A., the 2023 Media Category 2nd Place Winner from India. The both presenters, passed their torch to the first and second place winners of the 2025 in a symbolic form, which were the case category and level for them in 2023.

MEDIA CATEGORY
• M4 Nushadi Hasarangi – First Place (Colombo, Sri Lanka) The Drop – Universal access to safe water

• M3 Sehas Gamage – Second Place (Colombo, Sri Lanka) A.C.E. Ocean Guardian

• M6 Jowish J. Agnelo – Third Place (Chennai, India) Water For Life

The Writing category was presented by Ambassador Mr. Rodrigo A. Carazo, with Ms. Vrushali Gaikwad, a Youth Board Member at LMGlobal.Org and software engineer.

WRITING CATEGORY
• W15 Defne Durdağı – First Place, Türkiye In The Arms of Fate, We Must Confide

• W10 Sinem Gül Tekin – Second Place, Türkiye Beyond the Surface: Examining Military and Corporate Accountability on Water

• W04 Helitha Rehan – Third Place, Sri Lanka Drop of Hope

The Special Awards segment was introduced by Bircan Ünver, with Ambassador Mr. Ramu Damodaran, former Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative, presenting the Jacques Cousteau Special Award. Ms. Iknur Boray also presented the third Special Award by the Atatürk Society of America.

SPECIAL AWARDS
• INV2 Harish Gyani – President’s Award (Chennai, India) Water: Our Precious Resource
Video-1 (Applicant presents his submitted PowerPoint presentation)
Video-2 (Same as above as part 2 of 2)
Video-3 (An additional supportive video)

• R1 Azra Bildik – Ataturk Society of America’s Special Award (Istanbul, Türkiye) Save The Marine

• INV7 S.M. Vikaash Kumar – The Jacques Cousteau Special Award (Chennai, India)
Nanotechnology based waste water Treatment System for Textile Industry

Mr. Muhammet Ali Turan, the recipient of the Overall Excellence Award in 2023, he passed on the torch to the recipient of the 2025 Overall Excellence, which came out in the Media Category and received the highest score within four categories.

OVERALL EXCELLENCE: M2 Supuni S. Jayaratne (Colombo, Sri Lanka) A Drop of Hope (Animation)
VIDEO

The Encouragement Awards were presented by Dr. Dahlia Sabri, Chair of the IWRA-Egypt Chapter, and Mr. Ren Jie.

ENCOURAGEMENT AWARDS (Non-Monetary)

• M1 Ange Louella Horimbe (Burundi) Water Action Decade

• INV8 Thirandi Perera (Colombo, Sri Lanka) The Water Cycle and Life Cyle Are One.

• R3 Ogbu Kamsimelvin (Nigeria) Water Action Decade

• W13 Yağmur Erdinç (Istanbul, Türkiye) Arid Dreams Of A Thirsty Girl

Concluding Remarks by Ambassador Teburoro Tito: The importance of water as a precious and sacred resource.
The virtual award ceremony concluded with remarks from H.E. Mr. Teburoro Tito, Ambassador to the U.S. and Permanent Representative of Kiribati to the United Nations, reinforcing the importance of innovation and collaboration in addressing global challenges. Ambassador Tito expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the awards ceremony, emphasizing the importance of water as a precious and sacred resource, especially for island nations like his, where water scarcity is a significant issue. He also praised the Light Millennium organization for encouraging young people to engage with environmental issues like water conservation and fostering global collaboration. He encouraged the young participants to continue their efforts, emphasizing that they are called to contribute to the world’s betterment, recognizing that each person has a purpose and mission to fulfill. Ambassador Tito concluded by motivating the youth to keep striving for excellence and to always work towards improving the world, as they will one day become the leaders shaping a better future for all.

Conclusion
Each award-winning student in four categories and out of 20 including Encouragement Award recipients, made #OneMinute #WaterActionCommitment on #WorldWaterDay as a part of their acceptance speech based in India, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Nigeria. All the one-minute commitments requested in writing are to be considered for inclusion in the related book project. The award-winning students’ ages ranged from 14 to 18; all were present except one based in Burundi who could not connect due to an Internet connection issue. Representatives from Darüşşafaka High School and Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy were present at the Award Ceremony, along with the contributing organizations IGEN (India) & AJLUDD in Burundi.

Two award-winning videos screened: Overall Excellence and First Place in Media Category.

Project assistant Mimoza Irtem presented the 2025 J.U.C. Awards certificates to the Award Winning Students that followed the eligible applicants whose submissions went through the evaluation process but did not receive an award. Their effort and contribution to the #WaterActionDecade were recognized by the Evaluation Committee.

For the closing session, Bircan Ünver announced the Showcase of the Outcome of the 2025 J.U.C. Awards, which is scheduled for April 26, 2025, and the concept of the 2027 J.U.C. Awards, which is on “Bilingualism.” She indicated that its Guidelines will be posted on the www.lmglobal.org site by October 2025. The event received 110 registrants.

MEMBERS OF THE 2023 EVALUATION COMMITTEE:
Co-chairs: [Former] Ambassador Mr. Rodrigo A. Carazo & Prof. Olcay Ünver Members: Ambassador Yogendra Kumar [Retired], Prof. Victor Lawrence, Prof. Günay Smith [Retired.], Dr. Dahlia Sabri, İlknur Boray, Bircan Ünver, Vrushali Gaikwad, Ren Jie, PhD Candidate
Project Author & Director: Bircan Ünver, M.A.
Project Assistant: Mimoza Irtem

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) 

And:
• Ataturk Society of America, for the Special Awards

International Student Coordinators: 

•  Duygu Büyükbaşaran (Türkiye) 

•  Rukhshana R.A. (India) 

•  Lyonga Jewis (Cameroon) 

•  Mimoza Irtem (Türkiye) 


SPECIAL THANKS TO: 

• UN Department of Global Communications, the Team of the UNDGC Bi-Weekly Announcements;
• UN NGO colleague, Harvey Dupiton for his outreach support through his UN International Affairs group;
• UN NGO colleague, John L. German for sharing/recirculating the related newsletter#18 to his list server. 


WHAT IS NEXT? 


As a bi-annual program for international high school students, the 2025 Awards Evaluation Committee decided to dedicate the next one for the 2027 J.U.C. Awards to the concept of “Bilingualism”, in connection with the International Mother Language Day to be presented around #IMLD in February 2027 (21 February). 


As it is presented.

Booklet: 2025 J.U.C. Awards / Booklet#5

2020: The Story of the J.U.C. M-R-W-A

#JUCAwardsCeremony2025: Welcoming Remarks by Bircan Ünver

Related Newsletters:

Newsletter#19 | March 27, 2025
The Youth’s “Voices Can Shape A Future Where Clean Water Is Truly Accessible To All.” 

Newsletter #18 | March 18, 2025
Invitation: Let’s Celebrate #WorldWaterDay Together with the 
2025 J.U.C. Award Winners & Make #OneMinute #WaterActionCommitment on 22 March 2025 #JUCAwardsCeremony2025  

Newsletter #16 | February 27, 2025
Now, We Have The Winners… #JUCAwards2025: The Rigorous Evaluation Process Has Been Concluded.

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

Newsletter #7 | December 5, 2024
Global Youth Rise to the Water Challenge: 2025 J.U.C. Awards Inspire Young Minds #JUCAwards2025

INVITATION: JOIN US AT THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS CEREMONY; CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS & LET’s CELEBRATE THE #WorldWaterDay on March 22, 2025 (Virtual)

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

LET’S MEET THE FIRST-ROUND FINALISTS OF THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS

The 2025 J.U.C. MEDIA, RESEARCH, WRITING & INNOVATION AWARDS – Received Submissions

CALL TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR ENTRIES TO THE 2025 J.U.C. AWARDS: “THE WATER CYCLE AND THE LIFE CYCLE ARE ONE”

©2020-2025 J.U.C. Awards – A Bi-Annual Program for international high school students by The Light Millennium Global | www.lmglobal.org