2024 AFS Youth Assembly Program

August 16-18, 2024 at the Convene Brookfield Place in New York City

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Forge Our Shared Future

The theme of the 2024 AFS Youth Assembly is “Forge Our Shared Future.” The AFS Youth Assembly is a global platform that cultivates an international network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, action and impact.
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Program

See what sessions are on the program, as well as when and where they are happening!

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Speakers

Get to know the leaders and experts who will speak at the AFS Youth Assembly by reading their bios!

Meet the speakers

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Concept Notes

Prepare and maximize you experience: get a deep dive into the content of each panel and workshop!

Read the Concept Note for the event.

Read the Concept Notes

Four Tracks Focusing on Climate Action, the Future of Education, Tackling Humanitarian Crises and Food Security

Two days (August 17 and August 18) filled with sessions designed to tackle the event theme “Forge Our Shared Future” at the Convene Brookfield Place
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Future of Education: Leveraging Technology & Innovation

Knowledge Partner: UNESCO
  • Panels tackling topics like: Digital Technologies in Education and Fine Tuning Skills for Jobs of Tomorrow
  • Speakers including: Priyadarshani Joshi, UNESCO GEM Report; Frederico Menino, Open Society Foundation; Mariama Kabia, HP Foundation; Patrick Freeman, IREX; Lisa Petro, Generation Global; Foluyinka Fakoya, Global Partnership for Education; Faith Abiodun, UWC International; Roberto Dib Ashur, Ministro de Economía in Brazil
  • Hands-on workshops with leaders in the field, like UNESCO GEM Report, Schwarzman Scholars and AFS Intercultural Programs

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Transform Our Future: Unite for Climate Action

Knowledge Partner: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI)
  • Panels tackling topics like: Humanitarian Crises in Climate Change: People-Centered Solutions and Shifting the Narrative to Drive Climate Action
  • Speakers including: Michael Sheldrick, Global Citizen; Nisreen Elsaim, Former Chair of the UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; Ibrahim Ozdemir, Uskudar University and Clark University; Arielle Tannenbaum, Program Manager, Attribution Science, Climate Central; George Behrakis, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Climate Solutions Fund
  • Hands-on workshops with leaders in the field, like the World Bank and Anand Verma, ExpectAI
  • Find out more about this track in our podcast with Laur Hesse Fisher, MIT ESI

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Global Shocks: Tackling Humanitarian Crises

  • Panels tackling topics like: World Humanitarian Needs and Rebuilding from Humanitarian Crisis
  • Speakers including: Amanuel Mehari, IOM; Allan Goodman, IIE; James Carli, USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
  • Hands-on workshops with leaders in the field, like UNESCO
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Food Security: Strengthen Global Food Systems

  • Panels tackling topics like: Advancing Food Systems
  • Speakers including: Annette Nielsen, NYC Food Policy Center; Peter Umunay, Global Environment Facility
  • Hands-on workshops with leaders in the field
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August 17 and August 18 at the Convene Brookfield Place

Special Events Designed to Foster Impact, Networking and Youth Action

  • Plenary addresses with leaders like Michael Sheldrick, Global Citizen; Ana Rold, Diplomatic Courier; and more representatives of AFS Youth Assembly partners
  • Opportunities Fair: Top universities, world-changing organizations, institutions, and agencies to showcase their campaigns, initiatives, and volunteer/career opportunities to an exceptional cohort of young leaders and changemakers from around the world
  • AFS Award for Young Global Citizens: The Award recognizes young people for their commitment to improving the global community and whose actions contribute to a more just, peaceful, and tolerant world. The winner will receive $10,000, and two additional $2,500 prizes will be awarded to the runners up
  • Youth at the Front Lines: Action & Impact Hub: In this exhibit style event, selected Youth Assembly Delegates will present their work to fellow Delegates, network and find meaningful ways to collaborate on projects around the world. Delegates presenting at the event will be featured and be able to show off impact created locally and globally
  • Youth Assembly Ambassador Award Ceremony: AFS Youth Assembly Ambassadors are students and young professionals from around the world who are looking to become pioneers in their community, help youth have a voice at the global stage and represent the mission of The AFS Youth Assembly
  • SDG Zone by DHL with Youth Leaders
  • Speed Skills Exchange
  • Networking: Meet the Speakers
  • Interactive Sessions on leadership, building inclusive healthcare systems, AI, life skills, and more
  • Alumni Spotlights
  • Closing Ceremony & Culture Fest
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Meet Our Partners