On 2 February 2026, Global Social Leaders proudly powered the inaugural SPARK Workshop & Challenge launched as part of SPARK.Dubai 2026, a global education initiative hosted by the Varkey Foundation, at the GEMS School of Research & Innovation (SRI) in Dubai.
We brought together young people from across the GEMS Education network for an inspiring half-day experience of leadership, collaboration and social action.
The SPARK Workshop marked the launch of the SPARK Social Action Challenge, a follow-on challenge inviting students to take forward a small, meaningful action in their own school or community. With light-touch support, resources and check-ins from the Global Social Leaders team, students are now continuing their journey, turning inspiration into action.
STUDENT’S BLOG
Throughout the challenge, we are inviting students to share their journey and progress.
Meet Medansh, a student from Jumeirah College, turning conversations about cyberbullying into real change through his podcast Online Scars.
The Spark
“During the SPARK Workshop, what stood out to me the most was how interactive and engaging the activities were. Instead of just listening, we were encouraged to share ideas, discuss with others, and think creatively. One activity that stayed with me was when we worked together to solve a real-world challenge, because it showed me that different people can have very different but equally good ideas.
The workshop made me start thinking differently about how I approach problems. It helped me realise that creativity and teamwork are very important when trying to find solutions. Listening to other perspectives made me more open-minded, and it encouraged me to be more confident in sharing my own thoughts and ideas.”
My SPARK Challenge
“The issue that I care about the most is Mental Health, especially in relation to cyberbullying. I have already taken action on this issue by creating my own podcast called Online Scars, where I interview people about their experiences with cyberbullying and how they cope with it. I started this podcast because I have seen firsthand how damaging cyberbullying can be to a person’s mental health, and I wanted to give others a platform to share their stories and feel heard. Through this project, I have learned how important it is to listen, empathize, and openly discuss mental health challenges, which are often overlooked or ignored. In the future, I want to follow the Power Rule that SPARK introduced and raise more awareness about cyberbullying by conducting talks and workshops throughout Dubai. My goal is to help people understand this issue better and, eventually, expand this initiative globally so more young people can access support and guidance.”
What I’m learning
“So far, I have learned the importance of creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking when solving problems. The SPARK journey has helped me understand that good ideas often come from sharing perspectives and listening to others. One thing that surprised me was how many different solutions people can come up with for the same challenge, which showed me the value of teamwork and open-minded thinking. At times, it was also challenging to step out of my comfort zone and share my ideas confidently, but it helped me grow and become more confident. My next step is to continue developing these skills by asking more questions, thinking deeper about problems, and working with others to create meaningful solutions.”
In One Sentence
“My SPARK journey helped me think more creatively, work better with others, and see problems as opportunities to find new solutions.”
A Call to Action
My message to others is to stay curious, share your ideas confidently, and work together with others, because even small ideas can create meaningful change when people collaborate.
For further information, email: spark.gsl@future-foundations.co.uk
