Doyou want tochange the world?Apply now to IYC26

2026 International Youth Conference

When problems seem too complex and the future uncertain, it is young people who must step up and lead with clarity of vision.

We believe in young people's ability to guide society through today's challenges with generosity and grace

Once a year, the IYTT recruits 24 young leaders, thinkers, and artists aged 18-26 to become IYTT Youth Fellows through an open call to participate to the yearly International Youth Conference taking place in a rotating place in the world. Youth Fellows contribute to the creation of the IYTT Participation Toolbox, an ever-evolving collection of innovative participatory methods spearheaded by the Open Chair Democracy Talks, they foster participation by actively contributing to communal life in their communities while being part of a global network of like-minded individuals.

This year the IYTT is headed to Seoul! IYC26 will take place from August 31 to September 3, 2026, graciously hosted by the Global Green Growth Institute!

What will you do at IYC26?

You and 23 additional young individuals will shape democratic change. Your overall assignment will be to jointly develop twelve tangible proposals on how to reclaim dignity, openness, and democracy in the 2020s and beyond. Over four days of structured deliberative sessions,* your will be guided by four facilitators to develop your proposals and present them to the public in an open session on the final day of the conference. To inspire and structure your work, we provide a facilitated program and invite researchers, executive professionals, and experienced change-makers to serve as speakers and commentators.

All sessions of the conference will be carried out in English. To ensure that the works of the conference proceed smoothly we require that all participants speak and write fluent English.

We will cover the cost of your travel, accommodation, and meals for people who reside within South Korea at the time of the conference.*

* Some expenses associated with travel, such as passport fees, local transport and transit, and meals during travel will be borne by participants themselves.

And the IYTT journey goes on...

You will leave the conference as an IYTT Youth Fellow, with new friends, and access to a global network of young activists, professionals, and leaders spanning four continents. You will be ready to go from words to deeds by using the various IYTT methods in collaboration with Youth Fellows overseas, and you will develop new methods and activities to innovate democracy at the local and global level. The conference will boost your network and leadership capacity, broaden your knowledge, train you as a democracy entrepreneur and strengthen your voice on the global stage.

Apply now!

Apply to the conference by submitting a personal presentation and a statement of motivation for your participation (in English language) at the link below. Anyone aged 18-to-26 living in South Korea at the time of the conference is welcome to apply, regardless of citizenship.

The application deadline is 7th June 2026.

We are grateful to our sponsors and partners for supporting the 8th International Youth Conference

Sten A Olssons Stiftelseför Forskning och Kultur

IYC26 Sponsor



Younan Movement

VALID

IYC26 Partners

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