The Journey Starts Before Takeoff

Travel is about more than just touring a destination—it’s also about the transformation that happens along the way. That’s why we’re excited to offer Norm Hull Leaders… the Global Citizens Education Program.

This free program, developed in partnership between Your Big Year and Peace Through Tourism, is designed to prepare youth leaders to be strong Peace Leaders and make the most of their future travel experiences—before, during, and after their trip.

What’s the Program?

Through the Global Citizen Education Program, Peace Leaders discover how travel connects them to the wider world and to learn practical skill for cross-community/cross-cultural engagement. Leaders explore what it means to be a responsible global citizen and how their attitudes and actions during & after travel can help foster peace and understanding in both their community and the world.

Global Citizens Challenge is open to any leaders who want to build their Peace Leadership skills base. The event is a four-day virtual workshop running from Feb. 26–Mar. 1, and is geared to help Peace Leaders approach their next journey with intention and purpose. Although the full program is 4 days, participants are also welcome to pick and choose which specific workshops and/or times best work for them. Even though we recommend the full 4-day workshop for maximum impact, the bottom lines is any of the workshops are valuable and become transformative. Completion of 4 or more workshops, qualifies the participant to receive a “Global Citizen-Peace Ambassador” Certificate (*see qualifying elements under “Certificates”). Click Here to view the Global Citizen Education workshop schedule.

Classroom Study Guide – In preparation for the event, group leaders/educators will receive a study guide with learning activities focused on global citizenship education providing ideas and tools to better understand how to foster peace through travel.

Peace-Building Activities – Downloadable resources will be available that are designed specifically for youth travelers. At the heart of our program is the “Travelling with CARE” framework, which encourages travelers to embrace 4 key, yet simple, peacebuilding principles (see below), to be employed while travelling and/or throughout their own community. The value is in practicing what was leaned and to pay it forward.

Upon completion of the Global Citizens Challenge* and/or after “Traveling with CARE”, participants can complete a brief application form that outlines their peace-building efforts. Once received & confirmed by us, each approved applicant will receive a “Global Citizen-Peace Ambassador” certificate.

*To complete the challenge & receive a “Global Citizens-Peace Ambassador” Certificate, each participate will need to do at least 3 things:
1. Attend any 4 sessions (including one PenPal session) across the four days
2. Complete 80% of the questions on the International Action Hub (Miro - an interactive whiteboard).
3. Submit a reflection around their experience

For specific session recommendations, we suggest the following (Click Here for the daily workshop schedule):
- 1 x PenPal session (offered daily)
- 1 x Virtual Destination Tour (Pittsburgh attractions: Rivers of Steel & Heinz History Center)
- 1 x Panel (Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) Professional panel (Saturday Feb. 28 at 11:00 am ET/8:00am PT)
- 1 x Any other session of their choice

**By traveling with purpose & “CARE”, travelers become stronger Global Citizens, laying a foundation for a positive future peace**

Register for the Global Citizen Challenge Now
(February 26 - March 1, 2026)

Individual Application

Group Application