Global Youth Summit 2026: Connecting Young Leaders with Global Partners
More than 20 partner organizations and institutions joined JCI in New York, connecting young leaders with global expertise, networks and decision-makers — and demonstrating the power of partnership to advance youth-led action.
From July 29 to 31, the Global Youth Summit 2026 brought together young leaders, international organizations, diplomatic representatives, businesses, civil society organizations and youth networks in New York for three days of learning, dialogue and collaboration.
Across 9 main sessions, more than 30 speakers and contributors, and representatives from more than 20 partner organizations and institutions, the Summit connected emerging young leaders with experts and decision-makers addressing some of the world's most important challenges.
From decent work and economic empowerment to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, storytelling, diplomacy, the Sustainable Development Goals and global leadership, the programme reflected the diversity of perspectives young leaders need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Partnerships at the heart of the Summit
Throughout the Summit, representatives from organizations and institutions including UN Women,UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNICEF, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, UN Global Compact Network USA, BNI Manhattan, Idealist, the United Nations Foundation, RELX, the SDG Academy, AIESEC and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, among others, shared their expertise and experiences with participants.
The Youth Leadership Lab explored economic empowerment and decent work with Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Alyssa Cortez of UN Global Compact Network USA, Michael Brathwaite of BNI Manhattan and Bradley Bewkes of Idealist.
The Global Changemakers Forum: Storytelling for Global Influence featured Ishaan Shah of the United Nations Foundation, Ximena Girón, alumna of the Masdar Youth for Sustainability Program, and Nesley Fairburn, Founder of Actors Act Studio, exploring storytelling as a tool for leadership and advocacy.
Mirième Hill of RELX connected design thinking and innovation with practical tools and resources to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, while further sessions with partners explored AI and technology, digital transformation, sustainability, the future of work and purpose-driven leadership.
Together, these contributions created opportunities for young leaders to learn from organizations across sectors while enabling partners to engage directly with a diverse international community of emerging leaders.
Creating spaces for global dialogue
The Global Leadership Fireside Chat brought together leaders from diplomacy, international organizations, civil society, business and youth networks.
Participants included H.E. Mr. Tomohiro Mikanagi, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations; H.E. Mr. Wellington Bencosme, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations in New York and Vice-President of ECOSOC; Lopa Banerjee of UN Women; Julius Kramer of the World Scout Committee; Katharine Landon of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation; Luisa Scarcella of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); Ezio Angelini Luengo of Unidos por el Zulia Volunteer Network and Venezuelan Member of the Parliament; and Katarzyna Braczyk of AIESEC USA.
By bringing established leaders and emerging changemakers into the same space, the Summit created opportunities for exchange across generations, sectors and institutions — reinforcing the importance of ensuring young people can participate in global conversations.
From dialogue to commitment at the United Nations
The Summit culminated on July 31 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, where more than 200 participants representing more than 50 countries gathered for the Closing Plenary Session.
The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, co-organizer of the Plenary, was represented by Takatoshi Mori, Minister, while Lopa Banerjee, Director of the Civil Society Division at UN Women, delivered a keynote address on inclusive and equitable leadership for a sustainable future.
Young leaders took center stage through the Youth Ambassadors Pitch, presenting ideas and initiatives developed through the Summit.
A powerful contribution from Katherine Sparkes MBE, Founder of Flamingo Chicks, and the Flamingo Chicks' Agents of Change highlighted the importance of inclusion and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to participate, contribute and lead.
Partner representatives, including Chloe Plaxton of Generation Unlimited of UNICEF, Kate Landon of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, Youngsuk Chi of RELX and Elsevier, and Katarzyna Braczyk of AIESEC, also shared perspectives on volunteering, knowledge and science, strategic partnerships and meaningful youth participation.
The Plenary concluded with Rio Hada of the UN OHCHR New York Office, connecting the Summit's discussions with broader principles of equality, human rights and inclusive participation.
A shared commitment toward 2030
At the heart of the Closing Plenary was the adoption of the Youth Action Resolution, presented by Alejandra Castillo, 2026 JCI President.
Developed through the participation and dialogue of young leaders throughout the Summit, the Resolution calls for stronger youth participation in decision-making, inclusive leadership, progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and meaningful action at local, national and international levels.
It provides a common direction for young leaders and the JCI network to continue transforming global dialogue into measurable action toward the 2030 Agenda.
Building the next generation of partnerships
The Global Youth Summit 2026 demonstrated what can happen when organizations across sectors come together around a shared commitment to young leaders. More than 30 representatives from partner organizations and institutions contributed expertise, perspectives, networks and opportunities, connecting participants with leaders from diplomacy, the United Nations, business, civil society and international youth organizations.
The Summit builds on JCI's long-standing commitment to collaboration. What began as the JCI Partnerships Summit has evolved into the Global Youth Summit, expanding its reach and ambition while keeping partnership at its core.
As the Global Youth Summit continues to grow, so does the opportunity for international institutions, businesses, foundations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and youth networks to be part of it.
By partnering with JCI, organizations can share their expertise, connect with an international community of emerging leaders and help create opportunities for young people to contribute to the issues shaping our shared future.
