Seventeen’s Joshua tells youth at UNESCO: ‘Your dreams matter’

Joshua of Seventeen used his voice to deliver a message of hope and encouragement as he addressed young people from around the world during a UNESCO event in Paris.

The K-pop star represented all 13 members of Seventeen at the “UNESCO x SEVENTEEN: Celebrating Youth, Creativity and Well-Being Together” event held at UNESCO headquarters.

Speaking as one of the group’s UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth, Joshua encouraged the next generation to continue believing in themselves and the dreams they hope to achieve.Throughout his speech, Joshua stressed that no dream is too small or too ambitious.

He encouraged young people not to let anyone, including themselves, question their potential, reminding them that every aspiration deserves a chance to grow.

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Looking back on Seventeen’s work with UNESCO, Joshua shared how meeting young people from different countries has changed the group’s perspective.

The singer said SEVENTEEN had “realized that there are dreams everywhere” through the partnership and explained that the group hopes to become the “small voice that says, ‘We believe in you.’”

He then reaffirmed Seventeen’s promise to continue supporting young dreamers.

“We will sing, we will whisper, and sometimes we will shout out to remind you that your dreams matter,” Joshua said. “They matter to you, they matter to the world, and they matter deeply to us, SEVENTEEN.”

Seventeen’s dream

Joshua also reflected on Seventeen’s own journey, saying the group’s success did not happen overnight. After spending more than a decade together, he said they learned that personal growth is never achieved alone. Instead, trust, teamwork and having people who believe in one another make it possible to keep moving forward.

He reassured attendees that they are not pursuing their goals by themselves, adding that “Your dreams are also Seventeen’s dreams,” as he pledged the group’s continued support for youth around the world.

The event also celebrated the expansion of the Global Youth Grant Scheme, a joint initiative between UNESCO and Seventeen that is now entering its next phase. The program provides funding, mentorship and opportunities for youth-led projects focused on creativity, education, sports, arts and mental well-being.

Seventeen has been working with UNESCO since 2022 to promote youth development. In 2024, the group was officially named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth, further strengthening its advocacy.

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