About Us
“This program changed my life and my mind.“
– Student in the inaugural Jóvenes en Acción (Youth in Action) Program
For over 20 years, the Y-PLAN Global initiative has facilitated more than 20 global exchange programs, working with more than 5,000 students and community/civic leaders from 4 continents from over 20 countries. Our award-winning action research model builds leadership skills and trains participants in creative problem-solving to foster justice and joy in communities across the globe.
Whether in local communities abroad or at our home base at the University of California, Berkeley, students and adult participants work with civic leaders in reciprocal exchange, addressing the most pressing issues facing our world. Our work is guided by a commitment to global leadership collaborations focused on forming an intergenerational community of practice, taking action driven by youth leadership, and supporting a culture of lifelong learning.
Building on nearly two this decades of collaboration, we have now formalized this partnership between UC Berkeley’s Y-PLAN and Global Seed’s work in international exchange, into a new initiative, Y-PLAN Global. Our work is focused on building capacity among organizations, schools, higher education and civic entities to foster justice and joy throughout communities the world over.
Origins & History
Started in 2000 at the University of California, Berkeley, Y-PLAN (Youth – Plan, Learn, Act, Now) is a unique model for authentic, civic learning partnering K-12 students with civic leaders to collaboratively tackle our cities’ biggest challenges – from sea level rise to affordable housing and accessible transportation.
In doing so, they also become more prepared for college, careers, and civic life. Over the last 20 years, Y-PLAN has engaged thousands of young people and hundreds of schools, teachers, and civic partners across the United States and around the globe.
Learn more about the power of engaging young people in transforming our cities in our new book: Planning Cities with Young People and Schools: Forging Justice and Generating Joy by Routledge Press.
Global Seed’s history began in the closing days of the Soviet Union. After decades of separation, American and Soviet youth were eager to meet and collaborate in building a new world. Using a new communication technology called “email”, Global Seed fostered online connections, ultimately leading to young Americans and Soviets physically meeting in both Russia and the United States to connect, share ideas, build capacity and change the world. Since then, working in different settings and formats, Global Seed has crafted programming designed to fulfill the goals and ambitions of a wide variety of stakeholders. With clients ranging from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. embassy in Mexico and the U.S.-Japan Council, Global Seed has created and honed programming all over the world while building expertise in particular subject areas such as youth coming from crisis situations.
Our signature programs feature learning excursions designed to allow participants to delve deeply into society. For example, Global Seed’s learning excursion in San Francisco explores neighborhoods which give San Francisco its unique history and character. As a boutique operation, we excel in attention to detail and customer satisfaction. Clients can select from a menu of services ranging from basic logistical support to full program design and execution. We take pride in providing best-in-class customer service with a high-touch, expert team.
