Registration is open for youth ages 18-32 with a proven track record of leadership experience, school, or community involvement and are interested in global affairs, sustainable development, and youth issues.

The Youth Assembly will be held on August 11-13, 2023 in New York City. It will be an in-person event. If the organizer cancels the in person event due to Covid-19 pandemic or other events beyond its control, the organizer may, at its discretion, hold the event virtually. 

AFS Intercultural Programs Inc. spearheads every session of The Youth Assembly in 2023 with the support and partnership of notable organizations and companies. Friendship Ambassadors Foundation organized the event until 2020. 

Face masks will be required during the entirety of the event. 

All attendees must abide by NYC public vaccination requirements for indoor public activities: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines-keytonyc.page. In addition, all international attendees must abide by the US Department of State and CDC vaccinations requirements for entering the USA: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html

According to the UN, the definition of youth is “more fluid than other fixed age-groups.” Various organizations have their own definition of youth. At The Youth Assembly, we do not have a strict definition of youth, but have defined a certain age range for who is considered a “Delegate” for our program planning purposes. A Delegate should be between the ages of 18-32 at the time of application. 

Due to capacity there is an extremely limited number of spaces for people applying as Observers (for participants over 32 years of age). If you are applying as an Observer please indicate your motivation for attending on your application for review. Please note due to limited space we will only be able to accept a small number of Observers to attend the Youth Assembly.

The Applicant Questionnaire will be used to evaluate your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be evaluated based on the applicant’s work or involvement, achievements, and interest in sustainable development.

Upon submission of the form, you will receive an auto-response email. Submission of the registration form does not automatically guarantee acceptance. A refund will be issued to registrants who did not meet our eligibility requirements. 

Generally, delegates apply for B-2 visas (tourism). Please note that international applicants who are based outside the United States are responsible for obtaining their own visa to travel to the US. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to find out how. Acceptance to The Youth Assembly does NOT guarantee the issuance of a visa or admission into the United States. Visa issuance is entirely contingent on U.S. Embassies’ and Consulates’ discretion. Admission into the United States is contingent on U.S. Customs and Immigration Authorities’ discretion at the point-of-entry.

Please also note that the organizers’ (AFS Intercultural Programs) responsibility is limited only to supplying an invitation letter. AFS cannot make personal phone calls or requests on your behalf to specific Embassies or Consulates. Intervention with the diplomatic and consular affairs by a host organization is not possible, and reliance on such phone calls may slow your application process or decrease your chances of obtaining a visa. 

​​Due to the pandemic, many countries have longer than usual wait times for interview appointments at U.S. embassies. Please consider investigating wait times for embassy interviews before applying to the Youth Assembly:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

We suggest applicants check local organizations and associations, such as the Lions or Rotary clubs in their area, for sponsorship opportunities. Former delegates have found that a search through the internet, academic scholarships, and local and national sources can also be a source of subsidy and support.

You can also utilize our fundraising guide, which provides suggestions to help with self-funding efforts.

All events at The Youth Assembly are carried out in English. Interpretation services (including sign languages) may be arranged with an external agency at a cost to the participant. For inquiries, please contact us at [email protected].

Yes, your companion will also need to register for the event. Discounted fee may be offered to the companion/caregiver once their information is verified. 

Unfortunately, failure to complete the payment by the indicated deadline will result in your application and registration being withdrawn. If you need more time, you may request an extension. However, extension requests will only be approved on a case-to-case basis and with possible increased/late fee.

In an effort to promote diversity in all its forms, AFS is pleased to introduce a Delegation Program for the 28th Session of the Youth Assembly. Interested organizations are required to fill out the Delegation Program Application Form. This form will be reviewed, and a determination will be made on the group’s registration eligibility. Qualifying groups will receive an email with instructions on how to complete registration of its delegates. Please note that a Delegation must have 5 or more members.

As stated in the terms, the Registration Fee is non-transferable (you cannot transfer it to another person, or to a future edition of the Youth Assembly) and, except as provided below, it is non-refundable in the event of cancellation by the Participant for any circumstances and reasons whatsoever.  These circumstances and reasons may include, but are not to be limited to, medical conditions, family conditions, impossibility to travel due to Covid restrictions or any other government restriction, issues related to visa applications, etc.  Upon submitting application forms and paying the Registration Fee, AFS reviews, processes, and may accept those applications.  In return for this service, accepted applicants may not request a refund or credit or dispute the charges before, during, and after the YA Program, except for receiving partial refunds of the Registration Fee as listed below:

• On or before December 31, 2022 (12am EST time): 100% of Registration Fee
• On or before April 1 2023 (12am EST time): 50% of Registration Fee

• On or before May 1, 2023 (12am EST time): 25% of Registration Fee 
• After May 1, 2023 (12am EST time): No refunds available

To request your registration cancellation, please write to [email protected].

No. Participants who sign up for the Conference option are responsible for their own travel arrangements, including accommodation, meals, flight, airport transfers, and visa application fees.

The Registration Fee is non-transferable (you cannot transfer it to another person, or to a future edition of the Youth Assembly) and, except as provided below, it is non-refundable in the event of cancellation by the Participant for any circumstances and reasons whatsoever.  These circumstances and reasons may include, but are not to be limited to, medical conditions, family conditions, impossibility to travel due to Covid restrictions or any other government restriction, issues related to visa applications, etc.  Upon submitting application forms and paying the Registration Fee, AFS reviews, processes, and may accept those applications.  In return for this service, accepted applicants may not request a refund or credit or dispute the charges before, during, and after the YA Program, except for receiving partial refunds of the Registration Fee as listed in the Terms and Conditions.

No. The Registration Fee is non-transferable (you cannot transfer it to another person, or to a future edition of the Youth Assembly) and, except as provided below, it is non-refundable in the event of cancellation by the Participant for any circumstances and reasons whatsoever.  These circumstances and reasons may include, but are not to be limited to, medical conditions, family conditions, impossibility to travel due to Covid restrictions or any other government restriction, issues related to visa applications, etc.  Upon submitting application forms and paying the Registration Fee, AFS reviews, processes, and may accept those applications.  In return for this service, accepted applicants may not request a refund or credit or dispute the charges before, during, and after the YA Program, except for receiving partial refunds of the Registration Fee as listed in the Terms and Conditions.

You will receive a formal admission email, which you will need to present to the Youth Assembly Representative during check-in (before the conference formally starts). Please expect to receive updates from time to time regarding the check-in information and conference agenda, as well as many exciting opportunities for the participants. In case you are not getting any updates, please check your spam box and/or reach out to us at [email protected].

If you have applied for a visa, please notify us first about its status on or before June 30, 2023. You will receive your formal admission email once you have confirmed your visa status.

For the Conference option, an administration fee of $300 per person (super early-bird rate till December 31, 2022) is due upon applying. Please note the fee will increase to $375.00 for early-bird registration starting on January 2, 2023 – February 9, 2023. The fee will increase to $445 in regular registration from February 10 – June 1, 2023. The late registration fee will be $495 from June 1 – June 30, 2023. 

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible to avoid paying a higher fee. All applicants admitted during this time will be Delegates of the Youth Assembly. 

All events at The Youth Assembly are carried out in English. Additionally, all applications must be submitted in English.