Connect, Empower, Transform: Chile GCC 2023

The #ChileGCC2023 is our annual in-person Convention designed to propel Melton Fellows and community members toward a future of advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and true Global Citizenship.

At this year’s convention, we’re delving into targeted themes, mastering essential skills, and embracing challenges that shape our world. Through immersive activities, engaging local Project Visits, and the vibrant Global Citizenship Festival open to all, we’re bridging the gap between local communities in Temuco and Melton Fellows and community members worldwide. It’s a fusion of insights, cultures, and ideas that leads to tangible actions for a brighter tomorrow.

Official Partner and Host for the #ChileGCC2023 – Universidad de La Frontera 

As a renowned university of South Chile situated in the heart of La Araucanía Región, Universidad de La Frontera is a public university founded in 1981 in Temuco, Chile.

Meet Melton Fellows, local partners, and social impact trailblazers as we amplify each other’s potential and lay the foundation for real change at both local and global scales. Together, we’re not just dreaming of a better world – we’re actively building it.

Goals of the Global Citizenship Convention 2023

Melton Fellows and partners, mark your calendars for the week that will redefine your perspective, empower your passion, and connect you with our diverse network. Let's celebrate the unity of purpose, the power of collaboration, and the joy of creating a world where Global Citizenship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals are more than ideals – they're the reality we're crafting together.

We invite you to embark on a journey that resonates with the four pillars of our Global Citizenship Impact Model: Understanding of Self, Making Sense of the World, Collaborations across Boundaries, and Enabling and Driving Change.

Hosted by Universidad de La Frontera, (a public and state institution of higher education, among the best in Chile, located in Temuco, Araucania Region), this Global Citizenship Convention is modeled around some important goals.

Nurturing Global Citizens: Our primary aim is to nurture participants as adept global citizens and ambassadors of Global Citizenship, guided by the innovative Global Citizenship Impact Model we propose.

Contextualizing Impact: Through direct involvement in local initiatives related to global issues at our host university, and its neighboring communities, participants will gain a firsthand understanding of the far-reaching impacts of challenges and actions.

Cultivating Global Skills: We’re dedicated to cultivating participants’ ability to navigate diverse cultures and comprehend global dynamics by immersing them in experiential learning opportunities.

Building Melton Foundation Community: This event serves as a platform for reconnection and reinforcement of the Melton Fellows community, fostering deeper relationships and collective empowerment.

Temuco: Culture, connection and conservation

Temuco, situated in Chile's La Araucanía region, is one of our most cherished Melton Foundation Hub regions. As a vibrant hub of intercultural interaction among communities in southern Chile, Temuco has a powerful history and is surrounded by pristine forests, mountains, and lakes. Temuco is the ideal epicenter for dialogues encompassing cultural fusion, environmental preservation, and the ongoing pursuits for sustainable well-being across global communities.

It was the year 1994 when the Melton Foundation welcomed our Temuco hub into the family. Universidad de La Frontera, based in Temuco, Chile, joined during the third Global Citizenship Symposium of the Melton Foundation, turning into the first institution in South America to become a collaborator of the Foundation and one of our strongest partnerships to date.

UFRO Temuco is also the pioneering center of the Melton Foundation’s Global Citizenship University Course, where students from all specialties enroll to develop global competencies. After a successful first iteration, UFRO Temuco has now decided to make the Global Citizenship Elective a permanent offer to its students.

Further, Temuco has been our playground to build the ‘Ecosystem of Civil Society  Organizations’, a local coalition of civil society and non-profit organizations in the Araucanía region.

Here are some other things we love about Temuco, and we’re sure you will too!

• Cultural Nexus: Serving as a melting pot of diverse cultures, Temuco stands as a crossroads for vibrant intercultural exchanges, fostering a unique tapestry of traditions and perspectives.
• Natural Abundance: Set against a backdrop of awe-inspiring landscapes, Temuco offers an abundance of natural wonders, including forests, mountains, and ecologically significant conservation areas.
• Historical Significance: With a rich historical narrative, Temuco’s past intertwines with its modern identity, making it an intriguing place where heritage and progress co-exist.
• Sustainability Hub: Temuco’s commitment to sustainable practices and its engagement with pressing environmental challenges establish it as a vital hub for discussions on global sustainability and lasting eco-conscious solutions.

Melton Fellows, join us at the #ChileGCC2023 in Temuco, Chile, and let’s shape the future, one meaningful connection and innovative action at a time!

GCC Projects: A hands-on experience in the local community!

During our project visits, Melton Fellows will gain insight into Chilean culture, customs, and programs by joining project teams to organize, engage in, and execute activities alongside local collaborators at the GCC. Our participants will carry this knowledge back to their own communities to bridge the gap between global and local initiatives.