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IYC 13

International Youth Conference

A global platform that unites youth leaders, policymakers, and diplomats for dynamic dialogue, capacity-building workshops, and actionable policy discussions.

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May 21 – 24, 2026
Current Conference Conference Vision Thematic Pillars Skill Tracks Past Conferences Register

Current Conference

International Youth Conference 13

Innovative Diplomacy: Youth at the Forefront

Date

May 21 – 24, 2026

Location

Los Angeles, USA and Hybrid

The old models of diplomacy are no longer enough to solve the world’s most complex challenges. It’s time for a new approach. At the 13th International Youth Conference (IYC13), we are pioneering the solution: Youth-Led Multilateralism. This is a new paradigm where young leaders don’t just ask for a seat at the table—they build a new one, convening across borders to create tangible solutions for peace and development.

Join hundreds of changemakers from around the globe for four transformative days of action. Engage in high-level dialogues with established diplomats, master practical skills in hands-on workshops on negotiation, conflict resolution, and policy advocacy, and build a global network of allies. If you are a student, activist, entrepreneur, or young professional passionate about driving real-world change, IYC13 is your platform.

Hosted by the International Organization of Youth, IYC13 will take place from May 21 – 24, 2026, at the Los Angeles, USA. Join us for a vibrant in-person experience or participate virtually from anywhere in the world.

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IYC13 Details

  • Theme Innovative Diplomacy: Youth at the Forefront
  • Venue Los Angeles, USA and Hybrid
  • Organized by International Organization of Youth (IOY)
  • Dates May 21 – 24, 2026
  • Format Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)
  • Target Group Intergenerational
    (Inclusive of All Age Groups)
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Conference Highlights

  • Hands-on diplomacy and negotiation skills
  • Direct engagement with policymakers
  • Hybrid format for global participation
  • Youth Charter on Innovative Diplomacy
  • Cultural and public diplomacy training

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Conference Vision & Objectives

Vision

IYC13 envisions a world where every young person is equipped with the tools of diplomacy to act as an agent of peace, development, and co-existence in their own community and on the global stage.

Objectives

  • To demystify the concepts of public, cultural, and multilateral diplomacy for a new generation of leaders.
  • To equip participants with practical, hands-on skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, mediation, and advocacy.
  • To connect grassroots youth innovators with established diplomats, policymakers, and leaders from the United Nations, European Union, and other international organizations.
  • To align youth-led initiatives with global frameworks by supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering a deeper understanding of the work of the United Nations and European Union.
  • To create pathways for meaningful youth participation in the multilateral system, effectively bringing the UN to the youth and empowering them to act as agents of change.
  • To leverage the unique creative and technological ecosystem of Los Angeles to explore new frontiers in digital and cultural diplomacy.
  • To co-create a landmark outcome document, the "Youth Charter on Innovative Diplomacy," outlining principles and actionable recommendations.

Thematic Pillars

Public & Cultural Diplomacy in the 21st Century

This pillar will explore how youth can shape international perceptions and build bridges of trust through non-traditional channels. Discussions will focus on the role of storytelling, media, arts, sports, and digital platforms in fostering mutual understanding and combating disinformation.

Youth Reforming Multilateralism

This pillar will focus on concrete strategies for grassroots youth to engage with and reform formal institutions like the United Nations and regional bodies such as the European Union. It will examine pathways for meaningful youth participation in processes like the implementation and review of the SDGs, ensuring that multilateral diplomacy is more inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the needs of communities on the ground. The dialogues will aim to demystify these institutions, bringing the UN and EU closer to youth leaders and equipping them to navigate and influence the multilateral system.

Skill-Building Tracks

Conflict Resolution & Grassroots Peacebuilding

Participants in this track will engage in hands-on simulations to learn practical skills in mediation, dialogue facilitation, and de-escalation. The focus will be on applying these techniques to real-world community-level conflicts, demonstrating how grassroots diplomacy can directly contribute to achieving SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

The Art of Negotiation & Advocacy

This track will provide intensive training on the principles of effective negotiation and policy advocacy. Participants will learn stakeholder analysis, how to build coalitions, and methods for crafting compelling proposals to influence decision-makers and effectively advocate for their communities within national governments and international bodies like the United Nations.

Past Conferences

Explore the impact and reach of our previous International Youth Conferences.

IYC12

International Youth Conference 12

New York City
Sep 2025
Online Registered 22,008
Livestream Viewers 3.2M
In-Person 550
Countries 164
Active App Users 9,000
Social Media 200M+
IYC11

International Youth Conference 11

Los Angeles
May 2025
Online Registered 18,658
Online Viewership 586,678
In-Person 237
Countries 174+
Engagements 586,678
IYC10

International Youth Conference 10

New York City
Sep 2024
Online Registered 17,200
Online Viewers 581,668
In-Person 422
Countries 186
Social Media 4.5M+
App Engagements 1.7M+
IYC9

International Youth Conference 9

Los Angeles
Jun-Sep 2024
Online Registered 15,900
Via IYC App 474,572
In-Person 225
Countries 181
Digital Reach 79.6M+
IYC8

International Youth Conference 8

New York City
Sep 2023
Online Registered 17,456
Total Views 581,668
In-Person 401
Countries 174
App Interactions 1.7M+

Be Part of the Next Generation of Diplomats

Join the International Youth Conference and help shape the future of global diplomacy

Register for IYC13