Celebrating young leaders whose achievements are making a difference across borders, Junior Chamber International (JCI) has announced the 2026 Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the World during a global press conference at the Marriott Hotel in Clark.
The 10 honorees, all below 40 years old, were selected from a highly competitive international pool for their outstanding contributions to professional excellence, humanitarian service, innovation, and social development.
During the November announcement, the awardees shared their personal journeys, guiding principles, and visions for the future, highlighting how resilience, innovation, and community action can help address pressing global challenges.
A Distinguished Panel of Global Judges
The selection process was led by an international panel composed of JCI President Alejandra Castillo, Idealist.org Founder and Executive Director Ami Dar, and United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Head of Education and Training Shannon Kobran.
The 2026 JCI TOYP World Honorees
This year’s awardees represent diverse fields and countries:
– Emna Mizouni – Tunisia, Cultural Achievement
– Linda Montilla-Celis – Venezuela, Academic Leadership
– Ehab Badwi – Syria, Children, Peace and Human Rights
– Khadija Maalej – Tunisia, Children, Peace and Human Rights
– Tatsuro Hoshino – Japan, Children, Peace and Human Rights
– Summer Okibe – Nigeria, Children, Peace and Human Rights
– Michelle Tiong – Malaysia, Academic Leadership
– Yassine Belghith – Tunisia, Medical Innovation
– Kenneth Smith – USA, Scientific and Technological Achievement
– Muzoon Rakan al Mellehan – Syria, Children, Peace and Human Rights
Recognizing Excellence Since 1947
Established in 1947, the JCI TOYP program has spent nearly eight decades recognizing exceptional young leaders whose achievements and contributions create positive change in their communities and beyond.
The prestigious recognition has previously honored influential personalities, including former US presidents John F. Kennedy and Gerald Ford, entertainment icon Elvis Presley, martial arts legend and philanthropist Jackie Chan, and Philippine democracy champion Benigno Aquino Jr.
The 2026 honorees now join this distinguished international roster, underscoring JCI’s continuing commitment to recognizing young people whose leadership, ideas, and service help shape a better future.
