UN Impact Sprint 2026

Former Controller and Director at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and a global expert in blockchain, finance, and development technology.

Former UN Resident Coordinator with senior leadership experience across UNDP, UN Women, and UN peace operations.

Students met their mentors in Session 1, brought early concepts for critique in Session 3, and returned with polished presentations in Session 6 - so the hardest questions came before the showcase, not during it.

The principles of humanitarian assistance, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus - plus how blockchain, satellite mapping, artificial intelligence, and digital identity systems are transforming humanitarian response.

Students identified the global challenges they cared most about, selected relevant SDGs and targets, defined a real-world problem, conducted initial research, and developed early solution concepts.

Students presented early project concepts to Advit Nath and Ruby Sandhu-Rojon and received personalized feedback on problem selection, feasibility, innovation, SDG alignment, and practical implementation strategy.

How to communicate complex ideas: structuring persuasive presentations, storytelling technique, visual communication, and public speaking - delivering solutions with confidence and clarity.

Students refined their presentations using critical thinking and design thinking frameworks: evidence-based reasoning, human-centered design, solution validation, and pilot implementation strategy.

Mentors challenged students to strengthen practical implementation, long-term sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and potential real-world impact - the last chance to refine before the showcase.

Students presented completed capstone projects to a panel of UN experts and took live questions - showcasing their research and creativity alongside their ability to defend an idea in real time.

A blockchain-based tracking system that records every stage of food aid distribution, from donor commitment to final delivery. Built on IFAD's existing TRACE platform with smart contracts, SMS verification, and public dashboards to cut diversion in conflict zones and keep donors funding the pipeline. SDG 2, 16 and 17.

A micro-finance mini-grant programme funding resident-managed water kiosks in one of the world's largest informal settlements - incremental, community-run improvements that deliver safe drinking water now while creating local economic opportunity and advancing gender equality. SDG 6 and 11.

A no-cost digital platform connecting underserved youth to affordable programs, donated equipment, scholarships, mentorship, and coaching - bringing athletes, coaches, donors, and community organizations onto one platform so opportunity follows talent rather than family finances. SDG 3, 4 and 10.

A three-phase strategy for the freshwater consumed by the data centers that train AI models: water-aware workload scheduling, expanded recycled water infrastructure, and next-generation cooling technologies - changes an operator could realistically adopt. SDG 6, 9, 12 and 13.

Mobile health units paired with mobile phone-based surgical telemedicine, so healthcare workers can deliver emergency and primary care where infrastructure, supply chains, and staffing have broken down - continuity through a crisis, not just surge response during one. SDG 3.