Global Leaders Ignite Change

During the annual online meeting of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform, influential figures from Europe and Latin America convened to reflect on the past year’s achievements and set forth their priorities for 2026. The meeting, held on December 18, 2025, marked the fifth anniversary of the platform’s inception and underscored its role as a significant conduit for humanitarian diplomacy and educational initiatives.

The discussion featured prominent participants including Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and founder of the summit; Bo Tengberg, First Gentleman of Denmark; Sirje Karis, First Lady of Estonia; Lucrecia Peinado, First Lady of Guatemala and President of ALMA; Aleš Musar, First Gentleman of Slovenia; and representatives from the Austrian First Lady’s office. The assembly reviewed the platform’s half-decade of activity, celebrating its expansion and the impact of its various programs which now reach 14 countries.

A highlight of the summit was the introduction of “Snapshots from Ukraine: Untold Stories of Teenagers,” a virtual educational initiative designed to provide international students aged 14-18 with a deeper understanding of the Ukrainian crisis, its origins, and its impacts on youth. This initiative, along with the global communications campaign “Every Generation Leaves Its Mark. Education Shapes Its Legacy,” launched in partnership with UNICEF, has reached over 78 million people across 32 countries.

In her address, Olena Zelenska expressed pride in the platform’s achievements and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration. “We have much to be proud of, and all of this has been made possible thanks to your engagement and the engagement of our colleagues. I hope that today we will not only look back but also plan our next year together,” she stated.

As the platform moves forward, it aims to further strengthen its international ties through participation in global events and by engaging new partners. The leaders shared a vision of maintaining the summit as a robust mechanism for international cooperation, focusing on education’s pivotal role in societal strengthening and global challenge mitigation.