National Communities
Country-based communities across North America, Latin America, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
Youth 18 Explained
What Does Youth 18 Mean?
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.
Official definition
Youth 18 in One Statement
Youth 18 (Y18) is a non-governmental international leadership organisation and the next-generation initiative of Global 18.
Youth 18 accepts eligible members and Fellowship candidates with a substantive connection to one of its 18 national or regional communities.
The framework
15 National Communities + 3 Regional Communities = Youth 18
Regional Communities
The European Union, African Union and ASEAN extend participation through three wider regional frameworks.
One Community Framework
The combined structure used for membership, Fellowship participation, programmes and international exchange.
Fifteen country-based communities
National Communities
United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Australia.
View the World MapThree wider communities
Regional Communities
European Union, African Union, ASEAN.
These three regional communities are counted alongside the 15 national communities to form the number 18.
Institutional relationship
Youth 18 and Global 18
Youth 18 is the next-generation initiative of Global 18. It applies the Global 18 geographic framework to leadership development, Fellowship, mentorship, dialogue, collaborative projects and the Youth 18 Summit.
The name Youth 18 therefore describes the organisation and its community structure. It is not an age category, a list of 18 countries or an edition number.
Direct answers
Youth 18 Questions
What is Youth 18?
Youth 18 (Y18) is a non-governmental international leadership organisation and the next-generation initiative of Global 18.
What does the number 18 mean in Youth 18?
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.
Is Youth 18 limited to people who are 18 years old?
No. The number identifies the organisation's 18-community framework; it does not describe a participant's age.
Which communities make up Youth 18?
Youth 18 comprises 15 national communities—the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Australia—and three regional communities: the European Union, African Union and ASEAN.
How is Youth 18 related to Global 18?
Youth 18 is the next-generation initiative of Global 18 and uses the same framework of 15 national communities and three regional communities for leadership development, Fellowship, mentorship, dialogue and collaborative work.