Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2003

Participating in the IYTT Youth Conference will deepen my understanding of how democratic participation can be practiced across different cultural and social contexts. As I plan to pursue research in lifelong learning, I am particularly interested in how young people sustain civic engagement over time and how education can support people in maintaining a sense of agency while navigating social change. The conference offers an opportunity to explore these questions through collaboration with participants from diverse backgrounds. The insights I gain will inform both my future research and the educational programs I hope to develop in Korea.

I hope to contribute by engaging openly with participants from different backgrounds. Through my experiences designing participatory educational programs, working in international development, and participating in youth policy initiatives, I have learned the importance of having thoughtful conversations while working toward shared understanding. I will contribute to a collaborative environment where different perspectives can be discussed with respect and curiosity.

My experiences have led me to think about democratic participation through the lens of education and youth engagement. I am interested in how institutions create opportunities for participation and how those opportunities influence people’s willingness to engage in public life. I hope to contribute perspectives on representation and youth engagement while working with other participants to develop practical proposals that strengthen open and democratic societies.

Nationality: Swedish

Year of Birth: 2003

I hope to unlearn the assumption that things have to stay as they’ve always been. Meeting people from around the world with visions of a better world will help me in that journey.

I believe there is something deeply democratic about simple conversation. In the willingness to talk and engage with each other regardless of whether we agree. That’s why I intend to start as many conversations as I can and ask just as many questions. This, I believe, is how the powerless come to realize their power.

Alongside representing the youth of today, I want to speak for the youth of tomorrow. The generations who have no seat at the table, yet who will live longest with the consequences of decisions made today. That’s why I want to work together with my peers to develop ideas for how to think about openness and democracy not just as they exist now, but as they need to evolve to further include the voices of tomorrow.

Nationality: Afghanistan

Year of birth: 2000

Participating in IYC26 will strengthen my ability to turn ideas into practical action. As a Master’s student in Data Science at Dong-A University and a GKS scholar from Afghanistan, I have learned the importance of resilience and leadership, but this conference will help me develop another essential skill: collaborative democratic problem-solving. Working with participants from different countries will challenge my perspectives, improve my communication and facilitation skills, and teach me how to transform diverse opinions into meaningful proposals.

Socially, I will contribute by creating an inclusive and respectful environment where every participant feels heard. Having lived across different cultures and worked with students from diverse backgrounds, I value dialogue and believe that some of the best ideas emerge when people with different experiences genuinely listen to one another. I hope to build lasting friendships and encourage conversations that continue beyond the conference.

Regarding the values of an open and democratic society, I will contribute a perspective shaped by lived experience. Coming from Afghanistan, where millions of girls are currently denied the right to education, I have witnessed what happens when participation, equality, and freedom are restricted. At the same time, studying in South Korea has shown me the opportunities that open societies can create. I hope to contribute ideas on how technology, education, and youth participation can strengthen democratic values, ensuring that dignity, inclusion, and opportunity are accessible to everyone, especially those whose voices are too often left out.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2005

Engaging with diverse youth participants will broaden my perspective and hone my ability to address complex global challenges from a multilateral viewpoint. I will contribute by being an active, empathetic listener and a collaborative team player within the conference. I will contribute to the conference by bringing the value of ‘Spatial Justice’. Through this, I hope to enrich our dialogue on inclusive governance.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2007

As a first-year International Studies student, I haven’t settled on a specific research focus yet, but I have a strong interest in governance, political economy, and social justice. I see this conference as a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the ideas and frameworks IYTT works with, such as democracy innovation, peacebuilding, and civic participation, and to learn from peers and experts who are already applying these concepts in practice. I hope to return with a broader and more grounded understanding of what open, democratic societies actually require, beyond what I’ve encountered in coursework so far.

I led my high school’s English debate club and organized a school-wide tournament, which gave me experience creating space for structured, respectful discussion among people with different views. I plan to bring that same approach to the conference, actively participating in discussions, listening carefully to other participants’ perspectives, and helping foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing.

I believe an open and democratic society depends on continuously testing its own values rather than assuming they are settled, asking who is actually included and where the gaps between principle and practice remain. I hope to contribute genuine curiosity, a willingness to have my assumptions challenged, and the habit, built through years of debate, of examining an issue from multiple sides before forming a position. I’d like to help push our discussions toward practical, honest reflection on how democratic values can be more fully realized.

Nationality: United Kingdom

Year of birth: 2006

One of the things I am most looking forward to is hearing how people from different countries and cultures define democracy, policy, development and community. These concepts are discussed so frequently that it can be easy to assume everyone understands them in the same way, when in reality they are often shaped by local institutions and lived experiences. Having lived and studied in the UK, US and Nigeria, I have already seen how differently societies can prioritise issues. Questions around housing, public space, education or civic participation can produce very different answers depending on where someone grew up and what challenges their community faces. I hope the conference will challenge some of my own assumptions and expose me to perspectives that I would not naturally encounter within my academic or social circles.
I enjoy bringing people together and creating spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences and perspectives. For the past several years, I have volunteered at a summer camp for young African children and teenagers, where a large part of my role has involved organising activities for young people to connect with one another, build confidence and leadership skills, and feel included within a new environment. That experience taught me that communities are often built through smaller conversations where people can feel comfortable and open, rather than formal activities alone. I hope to bring that same approach to the conference. Gatherings, like such, bring together people who may never otherwise meet and I would like to contribute to a space where participants feel comfortable engaging with one another beyond their national or academic backgrounds.
Additionally, having researched cities and neighbourhoods that are very different from those in which I grew up, I have developed a strong appreciation for the ways local culture, history and demographics shape people’s values and priorities. At the conference, I hope to contribute perspectives from my experiences living between different environments, while also learning from others. I want to engage in discussions about how democratic societies can balance diversity of opinion with social cohesion, and how we can ensure that smaller or less visible perspectives are not overlooked in public debate and decision-making.

Nationality: China

Year of birth: 2004

As a business student at Kyung Hee University, I often see how markets and institutions shape people’s lives — but I believe it is citizens, not systems, who ultimately drive change. This conference will push my personal development by challenging me to think beyond my discipline, to test my ideas against peers from vastly different backgrounds, and to grow from a student who studies society into a young person who acts within it. Socially, I bring energy and genuine curiosity: I love bringing people together, whether over a shared meal or a late-night debate, and I will work to make sure no voice in our group goes unheard. On the values of an open and democratic society, I want to contribute a perspective from a generation of young Koreans who have witnessed how fragile — and how powerful — democratic participation can be. I believe democracy is not something we inherit, but something we practice daily, and I come to Seoul ready to practice it with all of you.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2007

Participating in the IYTT conference is an exciting opportunity to engage with young people who are passionate about building a more open, democratic, and inclusive world. I look forward to exchanging ideas on democracy, human rights, and the challenges facing our societies while learning from the diverse experiences of fellow participants. As a social welfare student, I am particularly interested in how values such as human dignity and equality can be translated into tangible, meaningful policies that improve people’s everyday lives.

I hope to contribute by approaching conversations with curiosity, empathy, and an openness to different perspectives. My interests in social welfare, public policy, and science and technology studies often lead me to connect ideas across disciplines, and I enjoy discussions that challenge assumptions and inspire new ways of thinking.

Growing up in South Korea has shaped my understanding of democracy as an ongoing process that requires continuous civic engagement and dialogue. I hope to bring this perspective while learning from others who share a commitment to strengthening democratic values and creating positive social change.

Nationality: India

Year of Birth: 2000

The IYTT presents a valuable opportunity for both academic and personal growth. I believe participation in IYTT would push me outside the boundaries of my usual academic and culture bubble. Engaging with people from different backgrounds, cultures and political systems will sharpen my ability to think critically about democratic values, rather than accepting them as abstract textbook concepts.
I want to get better at explaining what I actually work on, AI governance, accountability, public trust, to people who haven’t read the same papers I have. That’s a different skill than writing for an academic audience, and I think it’s one I’m still weak at. This conference will help me become a more confident communicator and strengthen my ability to translate academic knowledge into practical discussions that can contribute to society. Between the discussions and just the day-to-day of being around that many different backgrounds, I think this will do more for how I think and communicate than another semester of reading would.
Having lived in both India and Korea, I’ve had to figure out myself an unfamiliar culture more than once, which honestly teaches you fast how to ask questions without being awkward about it, and how to actually listen instead of waiting for your turn to talk. I want to bring that into the conference itself, especially with people who might be quieter in group settings or a bit out of their depth in a new country.
I like being the one who starts a conversation at a meal or during a break rather than sticking to people I already know, that’s usually where I’ve made my best friends at past events, not in the formal sessions. I’ll happily talk about what kind of living difference between India and Korea has actually been like, and I’m just as interested in hearing what other people’s version of “adjusting to somewhere new” looks like. If a few real friendships or working relationships come out of this that last past the conference dates, I’d count that as the main win.
Part of my research is the tension between fast moving technology and slow moving democratic institutions, how the government builds trust and accountability with respect to AI when technology is changing faster itself than the laws which are meant to govern it. I want to bring that into the room without turning it into a lecture. I’d rather ask uncomfortable questions than hand out conclusions like : how much transparency can a society realistically demand from systems even their own regulators don’t fully understand? Where’s the line between protecting democratic debate and letting misinformation exploit the same openness? I don’t think these have clean answers, and I’d rather the conversation stay a little messy and honest than wrap up too neatly. I’m also genuinely curious how people from other political systems — especially ones very different from India’s or Korea’s — think about these same tradeoffs, since that’s usually where I learn the most.

Nationality: Mongolia

Year of Birth: 2003

As a global citizen in a rapidly changing world, one of my deepest concerns and commitments is the democratic development and sustainability of my home country, Mongolia. Participating in the International Youth Conference 2026 is an invaluable opportunity to grow both personally and professionally by addressing global challenges through critical thinking and collective effort. I believe that actively engaging in discussions and sharing my genuine perspective is the most direct and meaningful way to contribute to the conference. Throughout my journey into the pot of new ideas, I hope to promote openness, mutual respect, and inclusiveness as the foundation for collective action among my fellow twenty-three participants and me. Moreover, becoming part of the IYTT community will allow me to continue this engagement beyond the conference, working along with fellow participants to turn ideas into action and advocate for democratic values at both local and global levels.

Nationality: Kyrgyz Republic

Year of birth: 2002

My participation in the International Youth Conference will allow me to move beyond academic analysis and engage directly with diverse perspectives on democracy. While my previous research has focused on structural inequalities within migration systems, this conference offers a space to test and apply these ideas in dialogue with peers from different backgrounds and lived experiences. It will strengthen my capacity to act not only as a researcher but also as a socially engaged contributor to democratic development.
Coming from a multicultural background, I am particularly attentive to how language, identity, and sense of belonging shape social participation. I aim to foster conversations that bridge cultural differences by encouraging mutual understanding and active listening. Together with my peers, I hope to build a collaborative and inclusive environment, both during formal sessions and in informal interactions.
I will bring a perspective that highlights how democracy is experienced unevenly, particularly in the context of migration and diaspora communities, and how legal systems and national policies may unintentionally reproduce inequality even within democratic frameworks. At the conference, I aim to contribute by connecting these insights with broader discussions about fairness and openness. By grounding discussions in both research and lived experience, I will support more nuanced conversations about democracy.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of Birth: 2002

Studying theatre directing has shown me that the strongest ideas often grow out of genuine conversations between people. Through theatre, I have learned that meaningful dialogue begins with listening, curiosity, and a willingness to understand perspectives different from my own. That is why I am excited to join the IYTT Youth Conference.

I see it as an opportunity to broaden not only my perspective but also the community I learn from, exchanging ideas with people from different cultures while building connections that continue beyond the conference itself. I hope to contribute by creating an open and welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and learning from one another.

I believe an open and democratic society is sustained not only by institutions, but also by trust, empathy, and everyday dialogue. For me, meaningful change does not begin with grand declarations, but with the communities we build and the conversations we choose to have every day.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2001

Through the IYC, my personal development will be greatly enhanced by creating a dynamic synergy between my theoretical research and hands-on democratic practice. While my master’s studies have provided me with a robust normative foundation in democratic innovations and political philosophy, participating in the four-day deliberative sessions will offer an invaluable opportunity to observe how these theories unfold in a real-world setting. It will challenge me to translate my academic focus—such as designing participatory methods and fostering a civic ethos—into tangible, actionable proposals. Furthermore, engaging with diverse global youth leaders will broaden my perspective beyond the South Korean context, allowing me to test and refine my academic ideas against different cultural backgrounds. This continuous interaction between rigorous theory and active engagement will ultimately strengthen my capacity as both a dedicated researcher and a practical democracy entrepreneur.

Socially, I will contribute to the conference by fostering an inclusive and highly deliberative environment, drawing directly on my hands-on experience as a facilitator and organizer for the Gwanak Citizen Assembly, as well as my active involvement in student-run academic clubs. I deeply value the power of empathetic listening and constructive dialogue, which are the bedrock of any functioning mini-public. I plan to actively bridge diverse perspectives among the fellows, ensuring that even the quietest voices are heard and integrated into our communal life. By acting as a dedicated interlocutor who is just as eager to understand others’ lived experiences as to share my own, I will help build a cohesive, collaborative network that extends far beyond our time in Seoul.

Regarding ideas for an open and democratic society, I will bring a critical perspective on the structural limitations of current participatory models, specifically the bias of self-selection. Drawing from my master’s thesis research, I will contribute concrete ideas on how to institutionally integrate marginalized or politically apathetic voices—potentially through elements of mandatory participation—to ensure true democratic legitimacy and thick participation. Furthermore, I will share insights on how an open society can balance individual plurality with a “common normative foundation.” I aim to propose actionable methods to cultivate a shared civic ethos that sustains community solidarity and prevents democratic gridlock, without compromising individual freedom.

Through the IYC, my personal development will be greatly enhanced by creating a dynamic synergy between my theoretical research and hands-on democratic practice. While my master’s studies have provided me with a robust normative foundation in democratic innovations and political philosophy, participating in the four-day deliberative sessions will offer an invaluable opportunity to observe how these theories unfold in a real-world setting. It will challenge me to translate my academic focus—such as designing participatory methods and fostering a civic ethos—into tangible, actionable proposals. Furthermore, engaging with diverse global youth leaders will broaden my perspective beyond the South Korean context, allowing me to test and refine my academic ideas against different cultural backgrounds. This continuous interaction between rigorous theory and active engagement will ultimately strengthen my capacity as both a dedicated researcher and a practical democracy entrepreneur.

Socially, I will contribute to the conference by fostering an inclusive and highly deliberative environment, drawing directly on my hands-on experience as a facilitator and organizer for the Gwanak Citizen Assembly, as well as my active involvement in student-run academic clubs. I deeply value the power of empathetic listening and constructive dialogue, which are the bedrock of any functioning mini-public. I plan to actively bridge diverse perspectives among the fellows, ensuring that even the quietest voices are heard and integrated into our communal life. By acting as a dedicated interlocutor who is just as eager to understand others’ lived experiences as to share my own, I will help build a cohesive, collaborative network that extends far beyond our time in Seoul.

Regarding ideas for an open and democratic society, I will bring a critical perspective on the structural limitations of current participatory models, specifically the bias of self-selection. Drawing from my master’s thesis research, I will contribute concrete ideas on how to institutionally integrate marginalized or politically apathetic voices—potentially through elements of mandatory participation—to ensure true democratic legitimacy and thick participation. Furthermore, I will share insights on how an open society can balance individual plurality with a “common normative foundation.” I aim to propose actionable methods to cultivate a shared civic ethos that sustains community solidarity and prevents democratic gridlock, without compromising individual freedom.

Nationality: Viet Nam

Year of birth: 2005

Participating in the 8th IYTT Youth Conference will help me grow by immersing me in perspectives that challenge my assumptions and sharpen my collaborative skills when working with peers from different parts of the world. I believe the core philosophy of this conference mirrors what David O. McKay once wrote: “the true purpose of life is the perfection of humanity through individual effort.” I also believe that when it comes to open and democratic values, people are what ultimately shape our future. Rules and systems only work when the people inside them care, engage, and take responsibility. Too often, young people are told to wait their turn, even though they are the ones who will live with the decisions being made today and can’t inherit the world they could’ve built. So our voices and engagement matter most.
With my young peers at the conference, I will put this into practice by listening to them, encouraging quieter voices to speak up, and making sure everyone feels they belong there, because I know that one person alone can only do so much, but together we can create real change.

Nationality: Pakistan

Year of birth: 2001

I expect this event will improve how I think about institutions, not just as structures on paper, but as things that survive only when they stay honest under pressure. That’s something I’ve been exploring for a while now. Currently, I my research looks at how monetary policy in Pakistan gets compromised when government spending needs push the central bank to bend to political pressure. The more I study this, the clearer it becomes: an institution stops meaning anything the moment it can no longer say no to power. I think the same thing happens to democratic institutions everywhere, well beyond economics. That’s exactly why I want to be at this conference, to take an idea I’ve only tested through economics and stretch it further, alongside young people who are looking at openness and democracy from completely different angles than I am.

I am lucky to study at a graduate school where my classmates come from all over the world, working in policy, government, and development. Sitting in class next to people from such different backgrounds has taught me to listen first and assume less. I have learned that good ideas often come from people who see a problem completely differently than I do. I would bring this same habit to the conference: staying open, asking questions before making my point, and helping the group turn many different views into something we build together.

I grew up in a country where democracy has been interrupted more than once, and where economic hardship made people lose faith in their institutions faster than any single leader could rebuild it. Living abroad, first in Japan and now in Korea, showed me that there is no single way to build an open society. Some places hold on to strong traditions while still welcoming outsiders like me. Others are still building their democracy, not far removed from a very different past. What I take from all this is simple: democracy does not survive on ideals alone, it survives when people’s daily lives get better because of it. I want to bring this belief to the conference and learn how others, from their own countries, are fighting for the same thing.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of Birth: 2004

After participating in this conference, I can vision myself with diversified and deepened understanding of democracy, equipped with tangible lessons. As a youth, it is not always easy to access or engage with macro-level discussions, the kind that connect dignity, openness, and democracy at a structural level. This conference offers a rare opportunity to do exactly that, guided by experts and peers who take those questions seriously. Interacting with 23 peers and facilitators will give me invaluable insights and help me develop the kind of broader perspective that’s hard to build alone. Furthermore, it’ll help cultivate my communication and networking skills, which will be an invaluable experience as a youth who’ll encounter public and open-mic situations later in my career.

Socially, I’ll be actively involved in open discussions and will not be afraid to share my point of view, while staying open to various perspectives. Coming from a business background, I hope to bring a different angle to the conversation, as the one who wants to explore how economic structures and institutions connect to the broader questions of democracy and sustainability. I will also pay attention to other peers’ and speakers’ discussions and be ready to pose thoughtful questions. On the other hand, I’ll foster ice-breaking and help form bonds between peers, so not only could we maximize the learnings from the conference but also gain genuine friendship and build a strong network.

I will contribute as exactly what I am: a young person for whom these questions are not abstract, but personal. Democracy and sustainability are not issues for future generation to inherit, instead they are the conditions that will define the decades we have to live through. Ongoing wars, rising authoritarianism, and a global shift from international cooperation toward competition are fracturing the multilateral order we once relied on, and threatening sustainability in the process. As a youth participant, I hope to ground these bigger conversations in what democracy looks like from where we stand, in our communities, our institutions, the organizations we join. I aim to contribute to discussing how we ensure that everyone’s sovereignty, especially that of young people, is genuinely reflected as we move toward a more sustainable future. Not as a distant ideal, but as something we start building now, together.

Nationality: South Korean

Year of Birth: 2004

Participating in this conference will deepen my understanding of governance and democracy in ways that formal education alone cannot offer. Growing up in the Philippines and studying in South Korea has given me the experience of navigating two very different political and social realities, and I have come to understand that the questions I care most about, who gets a seat at the table, and what it takes to change that, look different depending on where you are standing. Most importantly, I am looking forward to having my assumptions genuinely challenged by people who have arrived at the same questions through entirely different paths.

I find that the most meaningful conversations at any conference happen in the margins: over a meal, between sessions, or in the small moments that do not formally appear on an agenda. I plan to show up fully for those, and to bring genuine curiosity about the people I meet rather than simply the ideas they represent.

Growing up in a country where the failures of governance are visible in everyday life gave me an early understanding of what democracy looks like when it does not reach the people it is meant to serve. I will bring that perspective into the conference, not as cynicism, but as a commitment to asking what it actually takes for democratic values to be felt and not merely declared. Openness and democracy are not self-sustaining, and it is that conviction I hope to contribute to our discussions, pushing toward the practical question of how democratic societies close the gap between their stated values and the lived realities of those meant to benefit from them, particularly the youth who bear the consequences of political decisions without often having a seat at the table where those decisions are made.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2001

Through sharing an international experiences about democracy, Young leader can deliver their thoughts more clearly. Especially living in Korea, lots of students have been encountered crises of democracy. Thinking of political issues are always hard to approach and discuss in school. As a future documentary director, I want to share those discussions by using videos. I want to share these vital discussions through video content, helping students set their own agendas. Building on my past experiences organizing youth workshops, my ultimate dream is to build a safe and accessible community—an experiment I plan to initiate with the youth leaders I connect with here.

Nationality: South Korea

Year of birth: 2008

I believe IYC will provide me with experiences, inspirations, and meaningful connections that I am currently seeking as a young changemaker. By endlessly challenging, being challenged, and speaking up, I hope to create meaningful outcomes regarding democracy and youth participation in social change, while developing personal characteristics such as resilience and a sense of inquiry.

I am looking forward to contributing to IYC by bringing fresh, raw perspectives of the young generation. As the youngest person at the conference, I plan to leverage my multidimensionality as a high school student, climate change advocate, and political activist for women’s rights to build valuable networks and foster insightful discussions.

I am eager to express my opinions and form healthy debates around the importance of a democratic and open system, especially by sharing my experiences where I resonated with the core values of a free, liberal society. From the main threats to those values to the numerous possibilities for improving how we protect democracy, I hope to spark a dialogue on how youth can actively participate in economic, political, and social discussions and place ourselves at the center of social justice.