Celebrating International Youth Day at WHO Headquarters! 🌍

 

AFS YOUTH ASSEMBLY International Youth Day Let's celebrate youth! Today, AFS Intercultural Programs celebrates young people worldwide as we bring together hundreds of delegates, leaders, educators, and changemakers in Geneva, Switzerland, for International Youth Day and the 31st Session of the AFS Youth Assembly. This event is organized in collaboration with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Hosted at the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters, this year’s gathering centers on the theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”. Find out more. WHAT WE’RE EXPLORING TODAY Participants and high-level speakers are engaging in intergenerational dialogues around key global priorities: Education & digital inclusion: Expanding access to quality learning, digital skills, and connectivity for youth in vulnerable contexts. Climate resilience & decent work: Strengthening action on climate vulnerability, green jobs, and sustainable livelihoods. Youth leadership & decision-making: Moving from youth as beneficiaries to equal partners in global governance, aligning with the Pact for the Future and the UN Global Digital Compact. Join us in this celebration by watching the livestream! Date: August 12, 2026 Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CET Location: WHO Headquarters (Geneva) & Online Tune in to the live stream! HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS Yumna Khan, Director of the AFS Youth Assembly and Strategic Youth Initiatives Daniel Obst, President & CEO, AFS Intercultural Programs Rabih El Haddad, Director, Multilateral Diplomacy Division at UNITAR Dr. Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs H.E. Mrs. Nikola Gillhoff, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations Office, Geneva Annica Floren, Acting Head, Youth, Education, Research, and Culture Unit, European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships Sheila Kulubya, External Affairs Officer, Multilateral Affairs, World Bank Group Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation Mashael AlZoghaibi, Executive Director of Global Engagements, Misk Foundation Caillum Hedderman, President, European Youth Forum Ilan Enverga, Founder, Global Changemaker Schools & Global Focal Point for Education at UN MGCY Oluwadamilola Akintewe, Founder, Project Rebirth Mohammad Shehadat, Founder, Youth for Peace Initiative Caillum Hedderman, President, European Youth Forum Nazrin Jafarova, Youth Advocate & Azerbaijani Diaspora Representative For decades, AFS Intercultural Programs has empowered young people through global citizenship, intercultural exchange, and leadership programs. The AFS Youth Assembly continues to equip thousands of young leaders worldwide with the tools and networks needed to build a more just and sustainable world. Follow along for live highlights on Instagram @theyouthassembly! Sincerely, The AFS Youth Assembly team Want to know more about the AFS Youth Assembly? 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 brings together the world’s foremost young leaders and changemakers between the ages of 18 to 35 from over 100 countries. Find out more.