A Conversation with Elvin Teo, Secretary General of JCI

For over a century, Junior Chamber International (JCI) has been shaping young leaders and changemakers across the globe. With a presence in more than 110 countries and 5,000 communities, JCI stands as one of the world’s largest and most influential youth leadership networks—uniting driven individuals who are committed to creating positive change through action, innovation, and collaboration.

At the helm of this dynamic movement is Elvin Teo, JCI’s Secretary General, who brings over a decade of experience within the organization to his leadership role. Since taking office, Teo has been steering JCI through a transformative phase—modernizing operations, deepening partnerships with international institutions, and ensuring that every member feels the value of belonging to a truly global community.

In this exclusive interview with Chamberpad, Elvin Teo shares his vision for empowering young people, the flagship initiatives that define JCI’s mission, and how the organization continues to balance regional autonomy with a strong global identity. He also offers a glimpse into JCI’s upcoming priorities—focusing on sustainability, female leadership, and innovation and entrepreneurship—and invites partners worldwide to join in shaping a more inclusive and impactful future.

1. Could you please share JCI's vision for empowering young people globally?

“JCI’s vision is to be the leading global network of young leaders. JCI members are present all around the world, in more than 110 countries and 5,000 communities, across all continents. What drives JCI members is the will to create positive change in their communities through leadership development opportunities focused on four key areas: individual development, community action, international cooperation, and business and entrepreneurship.

These opportunities are provided through a wide range of programs, events, training sessions, and community projects that empower young people to develop their skills, expand their networks, and make a meaningful impact. JCI members implement these initiatives to create opportunities for both themselves and other young people worldwide.”

2. Since taking office a few months ago, what have been your top priorities as Secretary General?

“I have been part of this organization for more than ten years, and I can confidently say that JCI truly shapes leaders for a constantly changing world. Having experienced it both as a member and now as Secretary General has given me a unique perspective, understanding what inspires our members and, at the same time, identifying how we can elevate their experience and amplify JCI’s global impact.

Driven by this belief, one of my top priorities has been to transform JCI World Headquarter’s operations and processes to make them more agile, efficient, and member-centered. My goal is to ensure that every JCI member feels the value of belonging to a global movement that drives meaningful and sustainable change.

We are already seeing this transformation take shape, through strategic partnerships with civil society organizations, international agencies, and the private sector, and through the continuous growth of our network as we establish new local organizations around the world.”

3. What are some of JCI's flagship initiatives that have made a significant difference?

“Each of JCI’s opportunity areas has its own flagship programs and initiatives. JCI members around the world create positive impact in their communities through the JCI RISE Initiative (Rebuild, Invest, Sustain, Evolve), , originally launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and continuously evolving ever since. Each year, it promotes projects focused on sustaining and rebuilding economies, fostering workforce motivation, and advancing mental health and well-being, all with the goal of driving recovery and building a better future.

In the field of business and entrepreneurship, the Creative Young Entrepreneur (CYE) program is a pitch competition dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit among today’s brightest minds.

Individual development is strengthened through training, with skill development programs designed exclusively for JCI members to enhance their professional and personal growth. Debate and public speaking competitions at the local, regional, and world levels also play a key role in building communication and leadership capacities among young people.

Finally, international cooperation is one of the most emblematic pillars of JCI. It is promoted through our global events that bring together more than 10.000 JCI members and Senators in five annual conferences annually, one in each region (America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa and the Middle East), plus the World Congress, where participants engage in high-level trainings, networking, business forums, competitions, and awards. Local and national organizations also create twinning partnerships to exchange best practices and replicate successful initiatives across the world.

Within this area, the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) program, established in 1983, recognizes young people who have made extraordinary contributions to society in ten categories, showcasing the impact of youth leadership globally. 

Furthermore, JCI promotes the International Human Duties Initiative, which encourages dialogue and reflection on the responsibilities and shared values that unite humanity, strengthening our collective commitment to peace, respect, and global cooperation. As a cross-cutting element across all areas, leadership remains at the core of JCI, with our “One Year to Lead” principle, which allows members to take on leadership roles in projects, programs, and organizations at all levels: local, national, and international.”

4. JCI has been around for over 100 years. How do you foster collaboration and networking among your members? How do you balance regional autonomy with a strong global identity?

“JCI’s more than 100 years of history are built on strong organizational foundations and the strength of its people, a global network of dedicated members united by a shared purpose and a relentless drive to create positive change. Our legacy is shaped by visionary leadership and a team that constantly looks ahead, seeking new opportunities to strengthen our organization and empower our members.

What truly connects us, no matter where we are in the world, is our shared belief in JCI’s mission, vision, and principles. These values transcend borders and generations, reminding us that we are part of a global movement working together to build a better world through leadership and collaboration.

Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. The richness of our cultures, languages, and experiences fuels creativity and innovation across our network. While each region faces unique challenges, JCI provides the tools, platforms, and opportunities that enable members to design local solutions with global relevance.

At JCI, we think globally and act locally, and that’s what gives our impact real meaning. It’s how we’ve stayed relevant for more than 100 years, and it’s how we’ll continue to inspire and equip the next generation of leaders.”

5. What upcoming events or projects is JCI launching soon or most excited about, and how can we get involved?

“At JCI, we are entering an exciting phase focused on expanding collaborations and creating new opportunities for engagement among our members and partners. Our work is guided by three key thematic areas: Sustainability, Female Leadership, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Across these areas, we are developing initiatives that connect global and local stakeholders to co-create projects with tangible community impact. The aim is to strengthen partnerships that not only advance our global programs but also bring direct benefits to our members, from leadership development and knowledge exchange to access to new platforms and resources.

These upcoming projects are designed to help our members become sustainable leaders, individuals who can drive positive change through responsible innovation, inclusive leadership, and long-term impact.

We’re particularly excited about initiatives that foster collaboration between sectors, encourage shared learning, and integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into our daily actions. We welcome organizations and individuals who share this vision to join us in building solutions that make a real difference locally and globally.”

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Houssem Touil

Founder, Chamberpad