GSL SPARK Challenge launches at SPARK.Dubai 2026

250 students from 24 GEMS schools took part in the half-day workshop, supported by:

• Five Global Social Leaders coaches from the UK
• Global Teacher Prize Ambassadors, and
• GEMS Youth Parliamentarians, who acted as peer mentors alongside younger students.

Students worked in mixed-school groups, exploring issues they care deeply about, developing early ideas for positive change, and building the confidence to share those ideas publicly.

One of the most powerful moments of the day saw over 70 students take the stage to share their ideas during the closing session!

From workshop to 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.

Building a global movement

Reflecting on the day, Jonathan Harper FRSA, Co-Founder of Global Social Leaders, shared:

SPARK shows what’s possible when students come together across schools and see that their ideas matter, other young people like them care and that they have a role to play in shaping change.  It was awe-inspiring to hear students share what action they want to take on stage after just a few hours together.

The workshop was made possible through the support of GEMS SRI, GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation, whose commitment to developing future changemakers underpins SPARK.Dubai 2026 and the wider Global Teacher Prize community.

What’s next?

Following the workshop:

• Students are completing reflections and beginning their SPARK Challenges with check-ins in March, May and a final submission and celebration in October
• Families and schools will receive resources and updates, and
• Schools are invited to take part in the GSL Virtual Festival later this year.

We’re incredibly proud of the students, teachers, ambassadors, youth parliemantarians and partners who made this inaugural SPARK Workshop such a success and excited to see how the SPARK challenges develop.