08_13_23 Closing Ceremony – social media5170

What Makes the AFS Youth Assembly Unique

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 empowers the next generation 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 into action.

With 20,000 alumni from 160 countries, the AFS Youth Assembly is one of the world’s largest and longest running youth events focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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Meet our Outstanding Alumni

Over the past 20 years, more than 20,000 young global leaders participated in the Youth Assembly. Our Alumni are driving incredible impact in their communities and around the world, advancing sustainable development and creating positive change.
IMG_8688-2-Louise-Emmanuelle-Mabulo

Louise Mabulo, Philippines

Founder, The Cacao Project

Louise Emmanuelle d.G. Mabulo is a chef, farmer, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder of The Cacao Project, which cultivates resilient and climate-smart livelihoods, positioning farmers for sustainable success in San Fernando, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Louise is a National Geographic Young Explorer, a featured honouree for Forbes Asia’s list ‘30 Under 30’, featured as one of BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring and Influential Women of the Year, a Young Champion of the Earth under the United Nations Environment Programme, Young Activists Summit Laureate, an honouree of Tatler’s ‘Generation T’, and one of the World’s 50 Next Game-changing Producers listed by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awarding Body. She is the host of the cooking show ‘Simply Sarap’, promoting cultural diplomacy under the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. She is also the host of #GenGeo Conversations under National Geographic Society, and NatGeo Presents: Earth Day Stories: Diet vs. Planet Documentary series. Louise strives toward empowering farmers and advancing climate action & environmental stewardship through her work.

Louise was the winner of the Resolution project fellowship at the Youth Assembly in 2017, kickstarting her impact journey. She later became a Youth Assembly Ambassador and Mentor for thousands of youth around the world.

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IMG_9511 – Moemen Sobh

Moemen Sobh, Egypt

Founder, Visenleer

Moemen currently serves on the Youth Assembly Advisory Council. Moemen Sobh from Egypt won the 2023 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens at the Youth Assembly for his project for his initiative Visenleer. Visenleer is a regenerative initiative in the MENA region that creates sustainable textile materials using only ocean waste. Visenleer’s goal is to create a greener and more sustainable alternative to animal and faux leather, and in doing so, create a new revenue stream for the fishing community. Moemen received $10,000 to invest in their project and one year of mentorship from a representative of J.P. Morgan, helping him advance his impact.

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Khaled YA28 – Khaled Abdulwahed

Khaled Abdulwahed, Canada and Syria

Administrative Manager, Molham Volunteering Team

Khaled was awarded the 2023 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens Special Recognition and now serves as a Youth Assembly Ambassador and Youth Advisory Council Member. Khaled Abdulwahed is a passionate community leader who is dedicated to empowering refugees and advancing the UN Social Development Goals. Forced to leave his home country, Syria, as a teenager, Khaled experienced the harsh realities of displacement first-hand. His struggles as a refugee in Lebanon motivated him to begin working with one of the largest refugee-led NGOs, Molham Volunteering Team. Dear to Khaled’s heart is improving access to quality education in refugee camps, which he firmly believes is key to empowering today’s youth and preparing them for a world of opportunities. Khaled coordinated many vital projects that promoted equitable access to food, water, health care, education and housing for Syrian refugees and IDPs.”

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20 Years of Making an Impact

The Youth Assembly was established in 2004 by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation to empower young leaders and provide a platform for their voices in global development discussions. Young people have always been a focus of the organization, exemplified by the founder himself who began the endeavor to change the world as a 19-year-old.

In 2004, the organization in conjunction with its partnership with the United Nations held its first session of The Youth Assembly (YA). One of the primary objectives of these assemblies was to expose young leaders to the UN and its work. For the next 13 years, The Youth Assemblies were held at the United Nations and attracted young people from over 160 countries.

Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and its flagship program, the Youth Assembly, become a part of AFS Intercultural Programs in 2021. Today, the assemblies bring together 600+ young people every year and have become the premier event for young leaders and changemakers.

Explore the timeline of major milestones of the AFS Youth Assembly over the last 20 years:

Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF) and its flagship program, The Youth Assembly, 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.

Since its launch in 2004, the Youth Assembly has been a global gathering of young leaders, social entrepreneurs, activists, and champions of sustainable development. It provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and partnership between youth, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations. At the Assembly, young people have access to tools, knowledge, and skills to create action oriented solutions that help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Youth Assembly delegates, aged 18 to 32, come from over 100 countries. Each Assembly attracts between 600-800 youth delegates.

Find out more about the past Youth Assemblies

How Did the Youth Assembly Change Your Life?

Share your Youth Assembly impact story with us, and we will share it with the Youth Assembly community!

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Partner with Us

Be a part of this unique global gathering of young leaders addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Send a delegation, become a program partner, sponsor the event or support scholarships.

Discover ways you can partner with the Youth Assembly