Youth Global Forum 2026

Youth Global Forum 2026 - Madrid, Spain

15–18 January 2026

Youth Global Forum 2026 - Madrid, Spain

15–18 January 2026

A Global Platform for Youth Leadership

The Youth Global Forum 2026, held in Madrid, Spain, from 15 to to 18 January 2026, brought together young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from across the world for an intensive, purpose-driven exchange on leadership, policy, innovation, and global responsibility.

Organized by the Center for Global Dialogue and Leadership (CGDL), the Forum was designed as more than a conference. It served as a living platform for dialogue, learning, and action, where youth voices were not only heard, but meaningfully integrated into discussions on global challenges shaping our shared future.

Through dialogue, skills-building, and collaboration, the Youth Global Forum 2026 reaffirmed a central belief of CGDL:
young people are not preparing for leadership — they are already leading.

Networking & Icebreaker Engagements

The Forum opened with structured networking and icebreaker activities aimed at fostering trust, openness, and cross-cultural exchange. Delegates engaged in guided introductions, small-group discussions, and informal networking moments that encouraged early collaboration.

These sessions played a critical role in building a sense of community among participants, helping them connect beyond borders, disciplines, and lived experiences. The emphasis was on creating a safe and inclusive environment where delegates felt empowered to contribute throughout the Forum.

Plenary Panel Discussion: Global Minds in Conversation

The flagship plenary session, Global Minds in Conversation, brought together diverse perspectives to explore interconnected global issues, including human rights, governance, youth policy, innovation, and leadership in times of uncertainty.

Designed as an interactive dialogue rather than a traditional panel, the session encouraged critical reflection, cross-sector insights, and active engagement from delegates. Speakers shared real-world experiences while responding to youth-driven questions, reinforcing the importance of inclusive decision-making and intergenerational dialogue.

Capacity-Building Workshop: Digital Leadership, Risk & Security Awareness

A dedicated training session focused on digital security, risk awareness, and responsible leadership in digital environments. Participants explored key concepts related to digital threats, risk thinking, and secure digital practices relevant to emerging leaders.

The session emphasized that cybersecurity and risk awareness are not solely technical matters, but core leadership competencies essential for protecting digital assets, maintaining trust, and ensuring organizational resilience in an increasingly digital world.

Youth Delegate Statements

The Youth Delegate Statements segment provided a powerful platform for selected participants to share their personal journeys, challenges, and impact-driven initiatives.

Each delegate delivered a five-minute statement reflecting on leadership, resilience, community action, and lessons learned. These statements showcased the diversity of youth experiences while reinforcing common values of responsibility, inclusion, and global citizenship. The segment stood as a reminder that lived experience is a vital source of insight in shaping effective and humane solutions.

Skills & Career Development Session: Public Affairs & Global Health

A specialized training session addressed career pathways in healthcare public affairs, drawing lessons from recent global pharmaceutical and geopolitical developments.

The session explored the intersection of policy, regulation, crisis management, and public trust, offering delegates practical insight into navigating complex global health ecosystems. Participants gained a clearer understanding of the skills, ethical considerations, and strategic thinking required for careers in public affairs and global policy environments.

Social Impact Grant Pitch Competition, Cultural Showcase & Graduation Ceremony

The Forum featured a Social Impact Grant Pitch Competition, where six shortlisted delegates presented youth-led project proposals competing for a USD 1,000 grant.

The grant was fully funded by the Center for Global Dialogue and Leadership (CGDL) through its institutional endowment, reflecting CGDL’s long-term commitment to supporting youth-led social action beyond dialogue.

Projects were evaluated by an independent jury using a standardized assessment framework focused on impact, feasibility, scalability, sustainability, leadership, and alignment with Forum values.

Winning Project: Street Smartz

The grant was awarded to Street Smartz, a project addressing a critical child-protection crisis in South Africa, where one in three children experience physical abuse or harassment before the age of 18, yet fewer than 10% report it.

Street Smartz is an AI-powered, multilingual mobile game (English, isiXhosa, isiZulu) designed for children aged 4–12. The platform uses age-appropriate gameplay to teach bodily autonomy and consent, while offering trauma-informed prompts to help parents initiate safety conversations.

The Forum concluded with a Cultural Showcase and Graduation Ceremony, celebrating diversity, shared learning, and collective achievement. Delegates received certificates of participation, marking the formal close of the Youth Global Forum 2026.

Outcomes & Impact of the Youth Global Forum 2026

The Youth Global Forum 2026 achieved several key outcomes:

Beyond sessions and speeches, the Forum created momentum — equipping participants with ideas, skills, and connections they can carry back to their communities.

The Youth Global Forum 2026 reaffirmed CGDL’s role as a convener of meaningful dialogue and an enabler of youth-led action, laying the groundwork for continued engagement, collaboration, and impact well beyond Madrid.