A new generation of young leaders will assemble in New York City on this International Youth Day with the goal of reshaping the world. 600 young people will create international action networks and engage in discussions with leaders in changemaking, including international institutions, advocacy groups, multinational corporations, and impact-driven organisations, while gathered at the 27th Session of The Youth Assembly (August 12–14).
According to Daniel Obst, president and chief executive officer of the international not-for-profit organisation AFS Intercultural Programs, “We must put young people at the heart of achieving positive change in the world.” “We are thrilled to offer this worldwide platform that will help them influence the society they want to live in. We know young people have the ideas and abilities to make a difference.” The Youth Assembly program will tackle pressing challenges related to Youth, Global Health, Global Citizenship, Technology and Inclusion, aligning with the United Nations Secretary General’s Report on Our Common Agenda. The event launches on International Youth Day—both as a way to celebrate and also to focus on the greatest asset the world has, our youngest generations. Given the urgency that 1.2 billion young people around the world demonstrate towards taking action for a better world, The Youth Assembly will provide opportunities for long-term planning and meaningful, diverse and effective youth engagement in tackling current and future challenges. The opening ceremony scheduled to take place at the UN will set the tone of reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development throughout the event.
Thanks to sponsors including bp, Schwarzman Scholars, AstraZeneca, DHL, and others, one out of every four delegates has received funding to attend this event, guaranteeing equity and inclusion. Delegates will compete for the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens, valued $10,000 and intended to support ongoing social impact projects that target the UN Sustainable Development Goals, among other possibilities (SDGs). AFS International Programs, famous for its intercultural learning programmes that equip young people with global skills and the desire to make a difference, is the organisation behind the Youth Assembly. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Candid, DoSomething.org, the Institute of International Education, Pencils for Promise, pwc, Terracycle, UN Habitat, UNICEF, University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy, USAID, the World Bank, and many others are just a few of the program’s partners.