Youth united across cultures creating solutions
for a better world!
Culturewise Youth
Our Mission
Connecting youth in communities entering the digital landscape with global peers through digital access, cross-cultural collaboration, and co-creation through:
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Digital, cross-cultural project-based exchanges for youth
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Educational products & resources (children's books, videos and lessons for educators)
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Immersive intercultural experiences
We address two interconnected problems:
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Young people most impacted by global challenges are often the least connected to opportunity and global networks
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Young people with more access often lack:
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understanding of these challenges
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true ideas of lived realities of these global peers
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skills to interact collaboratively and sensitively
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Impact
Our Impact So Far (as Dogon Dreams, founded 2023)
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Supported 250 displaced or vulnerable children in accessing education
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Equipped 5 schools with desks, chalkboards, and essential supplies
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Supported women’s small businesses, strengthening family income and child nutrition
We are continuing this work while integrating a broader model of global youth collaboration.
Current Initiatives
Our Current Partner Community
We are partnered with Dogon villages living along the UNESCO World Heritage site of The Cliffs of Bandiagara.
Our programs share their culture in culturally sensitive, community lead ways; connect their youth to others around the globe, and support their educational and development initiatives.
There is a significant lag in global youth's preparedness to interact cross-culturally
Citation: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2018). Global Competence for an Inclusive World: Preparing our Youth for an Inclusive World. OECD Publishing.
Research shows our model delivers proven educational and social benefits:
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Builds intercultural competence: Student exchange and virtual programs strengthen communication, cultural awareness, and reflective thinking. (Syam et al., 2024; Kelly et al., 2023)
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Fills gaps in access and understanding: Only ~4% of students receive consistent, positive messages about other cultures; without support, many develop simplistic or pity-based views. (UC Davis; Harvard School of Education; Li et al., 2025)
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Reduces prejudice and fosters cooperation: Positive, equal-status, goal-oriented contact—especially through remote collaboration—improves cross-cultural interactions. (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006, p. 763; Kelly et al., 2023)
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Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving: Collaborative intercultural projects significantly boost students’ analytical and reflective skills. (Liang et al. & Liu et al., 2023)
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Addresses inequity in global competence: Students without access to exchanges, collaboration, and cultural learning opportunities are at a measurable disadvantage. (Zhang et al., 2025)
Get Merch!
All profits go towards youth programming and supporting sustainable development in our partner communities.
Board of Directors
JACQUELINE KING-PRESANT, President. Alternative Education, Team Leadership. United States
RODRIGO CRESPO, Vice President. International Business Leadership. United States
SOUBA GIRIDHARN, Treasurer. Climate Risk, Sustainable Finance. India
SARAH JEFFERSON, Secretary. Leadership in Humanitarian NGOs. France
ANDREW PEARLMAN, Director of Development. Humanitarian Development. Philippines/United Kingdom
NAOMI MUCHIRI, Board Member. International Marketing. United States/Kenya
JOSEPH BENKIRAN, Board Member. Entrepreneurial Leadership, Architect. France
ISAIE DOUGNON, Board Member. Professor of Anthropology: Migration and Humanitarian Issues. United States/Mali
We are aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals...
“We commit to ensuring that all people, especially young people, have access to quality education that fosters critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and respect for human rights, in order to contribute to a more just, equitable, and peaceful world.”— UN Summit of the Future, 2023 Declaration
Our Partners
Unis Vers Terre
