125 young leaders from around the world have been awarded scholarships to participate in the 2024 AFS Youth Assembly (August 16-18, 2024 in New York City), thanks to generous sponsorship from bp, a global integrated energy company. The scholarship winners were selected from more than 2,100 scholarship applicants from 153 countries.
The scholarships support participation in four different AFS Youth Assembly Academies, focusing on Climate Entrepreneurship, Changemaking, International Affairs and Global Education. These Academies are enriching program tracks that offer a comprehensive theme-based experience beyond the flagship Youth Assembly conference with a series of seminars, organization site visits and exclusive special events to facilitate learning, connection, engagement and action beyond the conference. The Academies are delivered in partnership with higher education institutions including the Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University (NYU) Center for Global Affairs , and offer certificates to all participants.
The 2024 scholarship winners come from 56 countries and were selected in a rigorous, competitive process. They include young changemakers and alumni of AFS Global STEM programs (a suite of full-scholarship STEM and social impact study abroad programs); young educators keen to infuse intercultural learning and sustainability in their classrooms and beyond; and climate entrepreneurs engaged in innovative solutions towards a just and more sustainable energy transition.
The AFS Youth Assembly is a global platform that cultivates an international network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, action and impact. It is one of the world’s largest youth events focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals with more than 20,000 alumni from 160 countries since 2004. In 2024, the event will gather hundreds of young leaders between the ages of 18 and 32 from around the world under the theme “Forge Our Shared Future.” The Delegates will tackle ways to advance youth leadership in areas of:
- Global Shocks: Tackling Humanitarian Crises
- Future of Education: Leveraging Technology & Innovation
- Save our Planet: Unite for Climate Action
- Food Security: Strengthen Global Food Systems.
The impact of the AFS Youth Assembly is clearly felt by all the Delegates who join this event. Ereeny Hozain, a 21-year-old from Egypt describes their experience in this way: “The AFS Youth Assembly empowered me to embrace my role as a changemaker and encouraged me to take action towards positive change in my community. It has enhanced my leadership skills, communication abilities, and problem-solving capabilities. Moreover, the networking opportunities provided at the AFS Youth Assembly have expanded my professional connections and opened doors for potential collaborations.”
In 2023, one in four Delegates attended the AFS Youth Assembly with a scholarship or financial support. The goal of the event organizers is to continue providing scholarships at this rate or higher, in order to make the AFS Youth Assembly as inclusive and equitable as possible for young people worldwide. Prominent past partners include bp, DHL, Scwartzman Scholars, the Stanley Ho Foundation and AKCG Public Relations Counselors. Find out more about possibilities to partner with the AFS Youth Assembly.
Applications and more information about the AFS Youth Assembly are available at www.youthassembly.org.
The Youth Assembly is organized by AFS Intercultural Programs, an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.