Youth 18 — An Initiative of Global 18
Youth 18 participants gathered at an international convening

Youth 18 · An Initiative of Global 18

Youth 18: Leadership for the World Ahead.

Youth 18 (Y18) is a non-governmental international leadership organisation accepting eligible members across 18 communities: 15 national communities plus the European Union, African Union and ASEAN. Through fellowship, mentorship, international dialogue and collaborative work, it develops leadership across borders and disciplines.

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About Youth 18

A Platform for Emerging Leaders Across 18 Communities

Institutional purpose

Shared responsibility

Judgement strengthened through international perspective

Youth 18 provides a structured international setting in which emerging leaders can strengthen their judgement, broaden their perspective and develop trusted relationships across countries, regions and disciplines.

Participants engage with experienced leaders, examine questions of international significance and work with peers whose professional and cultural perspectives differ from their own.

Emerging leaders in a structured international discussion

Identify

Recognise emerging leaders with demonstrated achievement, integrity and capacity for wider contribution.

Develop

Strengthen leadership judgement through structured learning, reflection and direct engagement with experienced leaders.

Connect

Build trusted relationships across the 18 communities, professional fields and institutional settings.

Contribute

Create opportunities for Fellows to develop knowledge, collaborative projects and work of public significance.

What Youth 18 Means

The 18 Means 15 National Communities and 3 Regional Communities

The number 18 in Youth 18 refers to its permanent community framework: 15 national communities plus three regional communities. It is not an age reference.

The regional communities are the European Union, African Union and ASEAN. Together with the 15 country-based communities, they form the permanent framework for Youth 18 membership, Fellowship participation and international programmes.

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15 National3 Regional18 Total

The Global Framework

Eighteen Communities.
One Generation.
A Shared Responsibility.

Youth 18 draws emerging leaders from the same 15 national communities and three regional communities that form the Global 18 framework.

Each community contributes distinct experience, ambition and perspective to a shared international programme.

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Youth 18 participants representing a wide range of countries and cultures

The Youth 18 Fellowship

A Structured International Leadership Experience

The Fellowship brings together an annual cohort of emerging leaders for leadership development, international dialogue, mentorship and collaborative work.

Youth 18 participants in conversation during an international programme
01

Leadership Foundations

Structured examination of responsibility, judgement, institutions and leadership in complex environments.

02

International Dialogue

Direct exchange across countries, regions, cultures and professional disciplines.

03

Mentorship

Guidance and perspective from experienced leaders within the wider Global 18 community.

04

Collaborative Project

Practical work developed by Fellows across communities and disciplines.

05

Public Insight

Opportunities to develop essays, reports, dialogue summaries and other forms of considered public contribution.

06

Youth 18 Summit

An annual gathering at which Fellows, mentors and institutional leaders examine shared questions and present selected work.

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Programmes

Leadership Developed Through Experience

Structured learning, direct exchange, mentorship and practical collaboration.

01

Leadership Labs

Structured small-group programmes examining judgement, responsibility, institutions, decision-making and global change.

02

Global Dialogues

Focused international discussions connecting Fellows across the 18 communities and professional disciplines.

03

Mentorship

Experienced leaders and specialists provide perspective, challenge assumptions and support responsible development.

04

Collaborative Projects

Fellows work across communities and disciplines to develop research, dialogue, educational work and other approved forms of contribution.

05

Field Engagement

Selected institutional visits and field experiences connect leadership discussion with real organisations, communities and professional environments.

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A large international Youth 18 assembly

Annual Convening

The Youth 18 Summit

The annual gathering of Fellows, mentors, institutional leaders and invited partners across the 18 communities.

Purpose
Leadership dialogue, Fellow presentations and collaborative work
Participation
Fellows, mentors, institutional leaders and invited partners
Access
By invitation and approved registration
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Youth 18 Insights

Perspectives from the Next Generation

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Institutional Partnerships

Support the Next Generation of Global Leadership

Youth 18 works with companies, universities, foundations, research institutions and cultural organisations committed to responsible leadership, international understanding and meaningful opportunity for emerging leaders.

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Youth 18 participants meeting across professional and cultural backgrounds