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It is time now to take a few moments and rejoice in our collective Impact from 2022, a bonafide testament to our footprint as Global Citizens on the world.!

A leading proponent of global citizenship practice worldwide, the Melton Foundation celebrated 30 years of shaping young minds through experiential learning, skill development, and intercultural exposure in 2021! We have built a 500+ network of Fellows who carry out impact projects around the world, and our association with the 17 UN SDGs further acts as an impetus for our Fellows and partners to join hands and carve a better future together through actionable, and sustainable programs.

For us, 2020 was the time to rise to the challenges and use the presence of obstacles to create a positive impetus for action around Global Citizenship.

The Melton Foundation looks back at over 25 years of shaping young minds through experiential learning, skill development, and intercultural exposure. Join us as we walk you through all of the collaborative action, thought and ethical leadership initiatives, and transformative experiences that shaped 2019!

Li Jiale (Cashion)

Melton Fellow since 2017, China

The Melton Fellowship has taught me how to use design thinking, how to collaborate with others, and how to apply what we’ve learned from our training sessions to solve concrete global problems. It has offered me a platform to present to others how an individual can contribute to big communities. I value the fellowship at the Melton Foundation deeply, as it has given me a great sense of belonging and fulfillment.

Nickhil Sharma

Melton Fellow since 2011, India

The Melton Foundation has contributed tremendously to my professional and personal network over the last few years. Through my participation in several Melton opportunities, in the Global Citizenship Orientation, and through interesting and professionally organized events like the Co-Lab. I have built a network in many parts of the EU, to whom I reached out when I was job hunting. Further, several Melton Fellows in India are currently helping me with my start-up in Bangalore. I have learned to facilitate extensive dialogues between diverse groups and garnered the confidence to use my skills to their fullest potential. I am grateful for the support I continue to receive from this wonderful network of networks.

Vernice Richards

Melton Fellow since 2004, USA

Working with the Melton Foundation continues to present a unique opportunity to further my personal and professional mission to identify, support, and instill high- performance Skills. The introduction to the SDGs has certainly inspired a greater insight into what is happening on the world stage and as a result increased my scope. Teaching, learning, and growing with an organization and its members who have taught me so much and continue to influence my own growth as an agent of change is exciting and fulfilling.

Lena Schmit

Melton Fellow since 2015, Germany

How many people does it need to keep a spirit alive? The answer is clear: just the right ones. This is my outcome from our work in the Melton Foundation. Our local presence in Jena constitutes a small team of five Melton Fellows. Melton > meetings for me are unconventional, yet special, because the topics, the ideas that come up, but especially the way we approach them are all treated with extraordinary consciousness, empathy, critical questioning, and most of all respect and appreciation. These values have never gotten lost no matter how big or small our Melton Meetings were.

Francisca Cantos

Melton Fellow since 2014, Chile

Since I was a young girl, I was eager to work on something meaningful, and the Melton Foundation fellowship was an eye-opening experience. My projects, and initiatives as a proud Melton Fellow and Global Citizen were fulfilling. I found experiences, bonds, and a safe space where I could develop my ideas and contribute back to our vast global village through my skills. At the Melton Foundation, I have always been encouraged to reach my fullest potential, and I am truly grateful!

Vladimir Fomene

Melton Fellow since 2015, Ghana

The Melton Foundation is a global laboratory where I refine my social projects ideas, and share my cultural and professional experience with my peers. As part of my participation at our yearly conference, I was given the stage to share my learning from working on a new approach to Malaria diagnosis using artificial intelligence. The audience came from all over the world and was mostly made up of young college students. This experience was exciting and gave me an opportunity to master courage in the face of public speaking fear. Above all, as part of the fellowship I learned about diverse cultures and formed lasting friendships with peers from India, China, Chile, Germany, and the USA

Global Citizenship Convention 2023,
Temuco, Chile

At the Temuco GCC we delved 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 Festiva, we bridged the gap between local communities in Temuco and Melton Fellows and community members worldwide.

Global Citizenship Convention 2022,
Jena, Germany

The much anticipated Jena GCC 2022, which took place after 3 years due to the pandemic, began with the fellows entering the venue full of energy and excitement. Their enthusiasm and spirit set the tone for the rest of the week, as most were meeting in person for the first time.

Global Citizenship Convention 2019,
Bangalore, India

What better place to celebrate intercultural melange, discuss and deliberate on socio- technical challenges, than the multicultural, diverse and the new age silicon valley of India, Bangalore! From 23- 29 September 2019, we set out to explore the intersection of Sustainability, Technology, and Social Innovation in a weeklong celebration of ideas, learning, and effectual collaboration!

Global Citizenship Convention 2018,
Phoenix, AZ, USA

When we envisioned an event different from any we’ve hosted in the past, little did we know how far-reaching and impactful it would be. From 22-29 October 2018, the #USAgcc2018 took the conversation “Outside The Lines” together with Net Impact.

Global Citizenship Convention 2017,
Berekuso, Ghana

From August 13-19, 2017 we gathered at Ashesi University College to help answer one big question: “What is the role of a Global Citizen in a world that is in flux?” This is what you missed … or maybe didn’t.

1991

The Melton Foundation, established by Bill Melton and Patricia Smith, collaborated with Westmar University and Friedrich Schiller Universität in its first year to mentor eight Melton Fellows, under the leadership of Chuck and Harriot Semke as the initial Foundation Directors.

1992

The BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE) in Bangalore, India, promptly joined a partnership in response to a call, and the Melton Foundation delivered its inaugural Senior Fellow in 1992, with three university partners involved in the initiative.

1993

Friedrich Schiller Universität in Jena, Germany, became the fourth university to partner with the Melton Foundation, joining Zhejiang University from Hangzhou, China.

1994

The Melton Foundation expanded its global network by welcoming Universidad de La Frontera from Temuco, Chile, during the third Global Citizenship Symposium, making it the first South American institution to collaborate with the foundation.

1995

Dillard University, based in New Orleans, USA, joined the Melton Foundation in 1995, becoming the second American institution to do so. This partnership resulted in the creation of the first group of DU Fellows and the formation of the Board of Alumni, led by Debb Vanderhaar- Arens until 1999.

1996

Melton Fellows hosted the inaugural Global Citizenship Symposium at the UFRO Campus in Chile, marking a milestone as it expanded its global events across all five member countries. The symposium also allowed Fellows to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of Chile’s southern forests.

1997

Dillard University in the USA hosted its first Symposium, featuring presentations, cultural activities, and workshops under the leadership of Directors Dr. Charles Semke and Harriet Semke and Alumni Director Dr. Debb Vanderhaar-Arens.

1998

The 1998 Symposium took place in FSU (Jena), Germany, where Fellows explored various cities, strengthened bonds through teamwork, and selected a new Lead Fellow, all while enjoying cultural presentations and workshops, creating lasting memories.

1999

In 1999, the BMSCE campus in Bangalore, India, held its second Symposium, celebrated for its vibrant multicultural experiences. That same year, the Melton Foundation hosted its inaugural Alumni meeting in Berlin, uniting alumni worldwide to discuss building a strong community.

2000

The inaugural New Fellow Orientation (NFO) occurred in Washington, USA, in 2000, conceived by Santiago Ramirez, Jose Manuel Abarca, and Siddharth Yedur. NFO facilitates fellows’ mutual understanding, offering workshops to enhance their skills for impactful contributions at the Symposium.

2001

The UFRO campus in Temuco, Chile, hosted its second Symposium, characterized by intercultural bonding, immersive learning experiences, and cultural exchange through workshops and dances. Fellows also explored the local culture during visits to rural areas, Pucón, a lake, and hot springs.

2002

In 2002, the Melton Foundation hosted its annual Symposium at Dillard University, focusing on “Reimagining Global Leadership for the 21st Century.” The event featured United Nations workshops, expert panels, and cultural presentations during its week-long duration.

2003

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität hosted the annual Symposium with the theme of “Getting closer – reaching out,” aiming to foster stronger connections among fellows. Special activities aligned with this theme were organized by the Melton Foundation, including a team-building exercise in Jena.

2004

The 13th Annual Symposium, hosted by BMS College of Engineering in Bangalore, India, focused on “Integrating Cultures by Leveraging Technologies.” The event featured diverse cultural presentations and insights into various cultures, including the Mapuche people, African Americans, and Europe’s concept through a play by FSU members.

2005

A Symposium took place in Hangzhou, China, blending local culture with global perspectives.

2006

UFRO University’s 15th annual Symposium offered a diverse program, showcasing natural wonders like Villarica Volcano and lush forests, cultural experiences including China’s National Day celebration, and stimulating discussions with cultural performances.

2007

The FSU Symposium was a turning point for the Melton Foundation, sparking conversations about its role in a digital age dominated by social media giants. Simultaneously, Melton Fellows at the ZU Campus focused on education and community-building, including a film festival, while the UFRO campus addressed global warming through various events.

2008

Dillard University in New Orleans hosted the Symposium and organized Melton Week, including an ‘Indian films’ themed party.

2009

The Indian Ambassador visited the UFRO Campus in Temuco, with fellows presenting an India picture exhibition. In the same year, the annual Symposium became the Global Citizenship Conference (GCC) at BMS, Bangalore, including a Melton Foundation fundraising campaign and a leadership fund establishment.

2010

The ‘China now!’ symposium held in China was unique for its integration of TEDx, featuring participants from the Melton Foundation and the university community. It set a high standard for cultural presentations with its diverse and impressive lineup of speakers.

2011

UFRO hosted its second Melton Foundation TEDx event, marking the inaugural TEDx event on its campus, featuring diverse international presenters sharing their stories, complemented by captivating performances of Indian traditional music and dance by two BMS Senior Fellows.

2012

The Melton Foundation marked a significant year with the launch of its Global Citizenship Celebration in Jena, Germany, introducing diverse workshops and site visits to explore themes like multiple identities, politics, media, business, sustainability, ethics, and responsibilities, alongside the adoption of a new global citizenship-focused mission and strategy.

2013

The Melton Foundation partnered with Noumenm and America Solidaria to address Bassin Thomas village’s needs in Haiti, where Fellows learned about international aid’s complexities through motorcycle repairs, sustainable agriculture, and cholera prevention workshops during a week-long experience.

2014

Ashesi University College joined the Melton Foundation Network as the sixth partner university globally, simultaneously Dillard University hosted the 2014 Global Citizenship Conference.

2015

The Global Citizenship Conference for 2015 was held in Hangzhou, China.

2016

The Melton Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a journey from a small intercultural group to a 500-strong network of Senior and Junior Fellows in Temuco, Chile.

2017

Ashesi University held its inaugural Global Citizenship Conference, highlighting a documentary on Melton Fellows’ global engagement in Ghana and introducing ‘Samagra’ in Bangalore, India, along with the launch of the ‘Global Solvers Accelerator’ within the Melton Fellowship’s Leadership Track.

2018

Global Solvers Co-Lab, in collaboration with Co-Lab: 489 UN-limited, brought together brilliant minds to advance the UN SDGs. As a result, today we have a new entry into the Melton Fellowship, the ‘Global Solvers Accelerator’ also known as the Leadership Track!

2019

The Global Citizenship Conference held in India brought together 300 practitioners and over 25 collaborators for a pioneering open Global Citizenship Week celebration.

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid adaptation and transformation within our network, including initiatives like the COVID-19 Response Fund in Chile and the creation of virtual events that united Melton Fellows worldwide.

2021

The Melton Foundation organized an Anti- Discrimination Townhall during Global Citizenship Week 2021 and collaborated with conveners.org to promote anti- racism, acceptance, equality, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as core principles.

2022

The SIETAR Europa Congress 2022, held in Malta at the University of Malta’s Valletta Campus, focused on the theme of “Re- Thinking Interculturalism.” With 300 interculturalists in attendance, the Melton Foundation delegation aimed to explore innovative approaches to revitalizing intercultural collaboration.

2023

The annual Chile Global Citizenship Convention held from 22-29 October 2023 took place in Temuco, hosted by MF partner university, Universidad de La Frontera. It aimed to connect, empower, and transform Melton Fellows and community members.