The Youth Assembly is a unique platform that cultivates a global network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, and entrepreneurship. It empowers the next generation of leaders with opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, trailblazers, and influencers, develop global competence and critical skills, and transform their vision for a better future through innovative action.
The next Youth Assembly will take place in 2022.
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Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF) and its flagship program, The Youth Assembly, will become a part of AFS Intercultural Programs, upon approval by the New York State Charities Bureau. Both organizations bring decades of experience in the world of international education and cultural exchange, and a shared focus on developing the next generation of young leaders.
The Youth Assembly brings together the world’s foremost young leaders and changemakers. The Youth Assembly delegates, age 16 to 32, come from over 100 countries and possess strong leadership potential as well as keen interest in global issues.
Since 2004, our most notable speakers have included UN leaders and senior staff, celebrities, and other luminaries from civil society and the private sector. Past speakers include former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former UN Youth Envoy Ahmad Alhendawi, incumbent UN Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake, Presidents of the UN General Assembly, former UN Youth Champion Monique Coleman, American economist Jeffrey Sachs, Indian-American socio-political activist Arun Gandhi, and youth activists such as Alexandria Villasenor, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, and Amani Al Khatahtbeh.
Since 2004, the Youth Assembly creates an intergenerational space for dialogue among civil society, academia, the private sector, and the youth to tackle innovative solutions to global issues in the 21st century.
The event consists of multi-stakeholder discussions and activities in various formats that touch upon social, economic, and environmental issues, and equip youth with critical skills necessary in today’s global economy.
By taking part in cross-sector dialogues and skill-building workshops, delegates are poised to connect with key leaders and experts in various fields and propose solutions to some of our world’s greatest challenges.
The Youth Assembly was created by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation in 2004 in an effort to amplify youth engagement and participation in global development. Rooted in the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation’s expertise in cultural exchange, the Youth Assembly fosters collaboration between youth and key stakeholders to support the implementation of global commitments such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Youth Assembly will become a part of AFS Intercultural Programs, upon approval by the New York State Charities Bureau.
The Youth Assembly is organized in collaboration with mission and impact-driven companies and organizations to facilitate a holistic approach in developing today’s young leaders. We have worked with prestigious institutions and organizations, such as the United Nations, World Bank Group, UNESCO, ILO, UN Environment, PepsiCo, Microsoft, PwC, the Resolution Project, Thought for Food, Instagram, Virgin Unite, WCS, the Nature Conservancy, the Climate Reality Project, UN SDSN-Youth, Candid (formerly the Foundation Center), BRAC, CARE, Liter of Light, Terracycle, and more.