We are thrilled to announce a strengthened partnership between AFS Intercultural Programs and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) for the 31st Session of the AFS Youth Assembly, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from August 12-14, 2026.
This partnership combines AFS’s century-long expertise in intercultural education with UNITAR’s world-class training in global diplomacy and sustainable development. Together, we aim to provide young leaders with the practical skills and high-level networks needed to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
For the 2026 Youth Assembly, UNITAR will partner to host the Youth Assembly conference and will play a pivotal role in the Geneva International Affairs Academy. Specifically, UNITAR will:
- Provide expert training: Lead sessions on global governance, multilateral diplomacy, and the UN system within the Academy.
- Facilitate diplomacy skills development: Guide participants through UN conference–style debates and negotiation exercises as part of the Academy.
- Grant official certification: Participants in the AFS Youth Assembly will receive a joint UNITAR–AFS Certificate of Participation, while those who complete the UNITAR-led Academy will receive an official UNITAR Certificate of Participation, strengthening their professional credentials in international relations.
Over the years, the AFS Youth Assembly has become a transformative platform that turns youthful energy into tangible global impact, cultivating a vast network of over 20,000 alumni across 160 countries. To deliver on this impact, the AFS Youth Assembly has cultivated collaborations with globally recognized institutions to empower the next generation of leaders. Notable recent partners include institutions like the Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN, UNESCO, New York University (NUY), University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy (Penn CSIS), Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, Misk Foundation, Schwarzman Scholars and many companies, including DHL and AstraZeneca, all of whom have provided critical resources, expertise, and networking opportunities for young changemakers.
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the dedicated training arm of the United Nations system. Its mission is to develop the individual, institutional, and organizational capacities of countries and other United Nations stakeholders through high-quality learning solutions and related knowledge products and services to enhance decision-making and support country-level action. Its support for the AFS Youth Assembly started in 2025 when UNITAR helped to organize a high-level observance of International Youth Day for 800+ young leaders from around the world.
“At UNITAR, our mandate is to strengthen capacities for a more effective and inclusive multilateral system. Partnering with AFS for the 2026 Youth Assembly reflects our commitment to equipping young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and forward-looking competencies required to navigate today’s complex global landscape. In line with the UN 2.0 vision, we are proud to contribute expert-led training that integrates diplomacy, innovation, and sustainable development, ensuring that youth are not only engaged in global dialogue but fully prepared to shape solutions and lead transformative action within their communities and beyond” – Julian Caletti, Associate Programme Officer at Division of Multilateral Diplomacy, UNITAR
“At AFS, we believe that empowering young people to become active global citizens is the most effective way to build a more just and peaceful world. By partnering with UNITAR for the 2026 AFS Youth Assembly, we are bridging the gap between intercultural understanding and high-level multilateral diplomacy. This collaboration ensures that our young leaders don’t just have a vision for a better future, but also possess the expert-led training and diplomatic tools to turn that vision into community impact,” said Daniel Obst, President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs.
About the 2026 AFS Youth Assembly
Hosted in the heart of global diplomacy — Geneva — the 2026 Youth Assembly is themed “Rise. Reimagine. Rebuild: A World for All“. The event will gather hundreds of talented young leaders (ages 18-35) from over 100 countries to move from dialogue to action.
The program is organized around four critical content tracks:
- Reclaiming Development as a Human Right for All.
- Policy, Justice, and Adaptation: Real-World Solutions for Climate Resilience.
- Rethinking Education: Youth Innovation for Future-Ready Skills.
- Bridging Divides: The Power of Connection in a Polarized World.
Delegates will participate in plenaries with global leaders, parallel skill-building workshops, an Opportunities Fair, and the AFS Young Global Citizen Award pitch competition, where finalists compete for a $10,000 USD grant to fund their social impact projects.
Join us this August in Geneva to become part of a 20,000-strong global alumni network of changemakers. Applications are now open at youthassembly.org.