Youth Leadership Summit 2022

Sister Cities International is excited to announce that this year’s Youth Leadership Summit will take place virtually in two parts!

YLS 2022 – Part 1

The first part of the summit will consist of monthly “SCI Youth Chats” on May 31, June 29, and July 20, 2022. Each chat will feature a different theme. These chats will be open to high school students around the world and will feature leading expert speakers in their fields. 

YLS 2022 – Part 2 

The second part of the program, “Youth Leadership Summit – Public Forum” will take place during the International Day of Youth, on August 12, 2022 and will be open to participation from our global audience. During the program, participants will have a chance to learn more about Sister Cities International, listen to the experiences of SCI Youth Chats participants and view unique artwork from our Young Artists and Authors Showcase!

sci Youth chats
MAY 31, JUNE 29, JULY 20, 2022

Are you a high school student who wants to meet other people from around the world?

Are you wondering how you can take action on global issues?

Have you been searching for a platform where you can share your ideas freely and improve your public speaking skills?

If your answer to these questions is yes, our new program “SCI Youth Chats” is perfect for you!

What are SCI Youth Chats?

What are SCI Youth Chats?

As the kickoff series to our annual Youth Leadership Summit, this program is designed to connect you with like-minded peers from different communities around the world. SCI Youth Chats invites high school students to take part in a virtual, moderated discussion and share perspectives about various topics such as youth leadership in institutions, climate change, and education.

Why should you take part?

Why should you take part?

SCI believes in the power of dialogue between communities to increase cultural understanding around the world. SCI Youth Chats will inform and inspire the next generation of leadership in our member communities while allowing students to take charge of the conversation.
By being part of SCI Youth Chats, you will improve your public speaking skills, share your perspectives about some of the most pressing global issues, meet people who are passionate about similar topics, and compare community actions around the world!

What will the conversations be like?

What will the conversations be like?

SCI Youth Chats aim to provide a flexible discussion format while introducing you to leading experts. Each Youth Chat will last 60 minutes total, starting with a 20-minute speaker presentation based on the current theme. After the speaker's presentation, you will start a 40-minute discussion with a student moderator. At the end of each conversation, you will be able to provide feedback and network with other students.
Selected students from each monthly session will be invited to speak at our virtual Youth Leadership Summit on August 12, 2022.

When will the conversations be held?

When will the conversations be held?

The SCI Youth Chats will take place on the following dates:
* May 31, 2022 at 11 AM ET - Youth Leadership in Institutions.
* June 29, 2022 at 11 AM ET - Youth Leadership in Climate Action.
* July 20, 2022 at 11 AM ET - Youth Leadership in Education.

How do I get in on the conversation?

How do I get in on the conversation?

Fill out the application form before the deadline, and contact your local sister city organization. There is no cost to attend the program! You just have to meet the following requirements to be eligible:

• You are affiliated with a Sister Cities International member organization (to learn more about your local organization, email SCI at youth@sistercities.org).
• You are a student between the ages of 14-18.
• You can join the conversation via Zoom.
• You are interested in the theme and are motivated to speak your mind about it with people from different communities.

Additional Notes:

  • To keep the conversation engaging, each session will accept a maximum of 50 students. 
  • After filling out the registration form, students will be notified of their acceptance status a week prior to the program and the spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  • Students who are not accepted to the program on their first try will be added to our waitlist and will be notified if space becomes available.
  • Students who are accepted but not able to join the program will need to let the SCI team know ASAP to give us enough time to admit students from the waitlist to the conversation.
  • Students can apply to as many conversations as they want.
  • Students will recieve an online certificate at the end of each Youth Chat.

CLICK HERE FOR

MAY PROGRAM

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN INSTITUTIONS

Sister Cities International is excited to share that the first SCI Youth Chat successfully concluded on May 31st, 2022!

The program started with Ms. Cynthia Yue’s 2021-2022 UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN presentation on youth leadership in institutions. Ms. Yue shared her experiences of being a young leader in various organizations and gave advice to our students to help them with their leadership journey. After Ms. Yue’s presentation, students started the discussion portion of the program, moderated by the 2021 YLS Alumna, Ms. Maya Young. Throughout the discussion, participants shared their leadership stories, compared leadership traits, and examined different cultural approaches to youth leadership in institutions.

Check out Ms. Cynthia Yue’s presentation below!

May Program Details

CLICK HERE FOR

MAY PROGRAM

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN INSTITUTIONS

We are excited to announce that during our first SCI Youth Chat we will discuss “Youth Leadership in Institutions” in the context of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions!

As an avid supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we understand the importance of advocating for a more inclusionary future. This diverse and equitable future cannot be achieved without youth participation in decision-making and an emphasis on youth leadership in all aspects of our community issues.

We will be discussing how to have our governments and other organizations--from town hall meetings to national organizations to international institutions--listen more closely to the voices of the young people they represent. You will hear the experiences of the expert speaker, be able to ask questions, and be able to share your leadership stories with your peers.

Ultimately, what we talk about is up to YOU, the participant, and what you decide to bring to the table!
May 31, 2022 Apply By May 20, 2022!

May Program Details

May 31, 2022 Apply By May 20, 2022!

May Application Form

CLICK HERE FOR

JUNE PROGRAM

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN CLIMATE ACTION

Date and Time: June 29, 2022 at 11 AM ET
Application Deadline: June 20, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET

We are excited to announce that during our second SCI Youth Chat we will discuss “Youth Leadership in Climate Action” in the context of UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action!

As an avid supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we understand that the world is on the precipice of climate disaster and requires action, now. This is an all-hands-on-deck crisis that requires action from all governments, organizations, and individuals - including youth.

We will be discussing how young people can make a meaningful contribution to the environment for the better. As the inheritors of the world, you have the most at stake when it comes to saving the world from the global climate crisis, and must take the lead in this struggle.

You will hear the experiences of the expert speaker, be able to ask questions, and be able to share your leadership stories with your peers.

Ultimately, what we talk about is up to YOU, the participant, and what you decide to bring to the table!
June 29, 2022 Apply By June 20, 2022!

Application Form

June Program Details

June 29, 2022 Apply By June 20, 2022!

June Application Form

CLICK HERE FOR

JULY PROGRAM

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION

Date and Time: July 20, 2022 at 11 AM ET
Application Deadline: July 8, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET

We are excited to announce that during our third SCI Youth Chat we will discuss “Youth Leadership in Education” in the context of UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education!

As an avid supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we understand that a quality education is the key to a prosperous and fulfilled life. But, education has been in crisis due to the COVID-19, pandemic, and no one knows this better than you -the students- .

We will be discussing how young people can be leaders in education, even as students. The COVID-19 pandemic created the first of its kind global education crisis that the world tried to solve. We believe you, as students, can provide a critical perspective and be leaders in this global education crisis and in future challenges in the education field. You will hear experiences from the expert speaker, be able to ask questions, and get a chance to share your leadership stories with your peers.

Ultimately, what we talk about is up to YOU, the participant, and what you decide to bring to the table!
July 20, 2022 Apply By July 8, 2022!

Application Form

July Program Details

July 20, 2022 Apply By July 8, 2022!

July Application Form

Didn’t get a chance to be part of our youth chats?

Check out our Youth Leadership Summit – Public Forum on Friday, August 12, 2022!

Have a question? Please feel free to contact us at youth@sistercities.org.

Contact

1012 14th Street, N.W.
Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20005
Phone (202) 347-8630
info@sistercities.org

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