Youth Empowerment Forum 2026 Switzerland

Four days of learning, dialogue, and international exchange — uniting young leaders and changemakers at the heart of global diplomacy in Geneva, Switzerland.

Young Leaders & Changemakers

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Days of Dialogue & Exchange

International Institutions Visited

UN SDGs Grant Awarded

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Four days that connected a generation of changemakers

The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026, organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL), brought together more than 100 young leaders and changemakers from around the world for four days of learning, dialogue, and international exchange in Geneva, Switzerland (3–6 September 2026, Mövenpick Hotel Geneva) — the second, larger edition of the Forum following its 2025 debut.

The program combined structured policy dialogue, expert-led workshops, and institutional visits to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Delegates heard from keynote speakers and ambassadors, joined a high-level panel and hands-on leadership workshops, and competed in a UN SDGs Grant Pitch Competition, before closing with a Cultural Showcase and Graduation Ceremony. Master of Ceremonies Silia Taider guided the program throughout.

The Four-Day Journey

Follow the Forum day by day — each step opens its own section and gallery.

01

3 September 2026

Arrival & Global Connections

Orientation, Registration & Opening Ceremony

02

4 September 2026

Global Institutions, Cooperation & Exchange

Institutional Visits & Briefings

03

5 September 2026

Dialogue, Skills & Collaboration

Panels, Workshops & the SDG Grant Pitch Competition

04

6 September 2026

Departure

Closing & Farewells

Arrival & Global Connections

Delegates arrived from around the world and checked in, followed by registration and merchandise distribution. The Grand Opening Ceremony welcomed delegates to Geneva and set the Forum’s objectives, followed by a networking session and Welcome Dinner.

What happened

Afternoon
Arrival & Check-in
Delegates arrive in Geneva and settle in at the Mövenpick Hotel.
Late PM
Registration & Merchandise
On-site registration and distribution of Forum merchandise.
Evening
Grand Opening Ceremony
Welcome to Geneva and an introduction to the Forum's mission.
Evening
Networking Session
Delegates connect across regions, sectors and cultures.
Night
Welcome Dinner
A shared meal to open four days of collaboration.

Grand Opening Ceremony

The Forum officially opened in Geneva, introducing delegates to four days of dialogue, diplomacy and leadership.

Keynote from H.E. Geraldo Gonçalves Miguel Saranga

The Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the UN shared perspectives on Mozambique's engagement with the multilateral system and the role of youth in advancing sustainable development.

Keynote from H.E. Pratana Disyatat

The Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand to the UN addressed the importance of international partnerships and the role emerging leaders play in shaping inclusive policy.

Global Connections

A first networking session and Welcome Dinner brought the international delegation together under one roof.

Who joined Day 1

ST Silia Taider · Host GS H.E. Geraldo Gonçalves Miguel Saranga · Ambassador PD H.E. Pratana Disyatat · Ambassador

Global Institutions, Cooperation & Exchange

Day Two gave delegates first-hand exposure to international organizations through institutional visits and briefings in Geneva, a global center of diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Study Visit & Briefing

Delegates visited WTO headquarters for a briefing led byTimothyAdamson, External Relations Officer, and Maryna Katiukha of the Information and External Relations Division, both at theWorldTrade Organization.They explained how the multilateral trading system works — how trade rules are negotiated, how disputes are settled, and howWTO’s work connects tosustainable, inclusivegrowth. The session highlighted current opportunities for young peopletoengage with theWTO, including its internship andYoung Professionals Programme, research andfellowship routes intotrade policy, and ways tofollowWTO negotiations after the Forum, closing with an open Q&A.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Headquarters Visit

In the afternoon, delegates visited ILO Headquarters for a guided tour and briefing led by Sara Elder, Head of the Employment Analysis and Economic Policy Unit, and Esha Moitra, Youth Employment and Engagement Officer, both at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Headquarters.Their session focused on youth employment as a distinct policy area: the scaleofglobal youth unemployment and informality, the school-to-work transition, the ILO’s Global Initiativeon Decent Jobs forYouth, and how labour standards reach young workers.They alsoshared their own career paths at the ILO and encouraged delegates toconsider internships and traineeships, closing with a Q&Aon youth unemployment in delegates’own countries. Theday concluded with dinner at the Mövenpick Hotel Geneva.

Dialogue, Skills & Collaboration

Day Three was the Forum’s full conference day: a high-level panel, a keynote address, two leadership workshops, the UN SDGs Grant Pitch Competition, and the Cultural Showcase and Graduation Ceremony.

High-Level Panel Discussion: "Global Minds in Conversation"

Held on 5 September, the High-Level Panel Discussion was moderated by Festina Kurteshi and brought together four distinguished experts in international relations, international law, diplomacy, negotiations, global governance, and youth engagement. The session provided delegates with an opportunity to gain valuable insights into contemporary international challenges, diplomatic processes, and the importance of meaningful youth participation in global affairs. Each panelist was given approximately ten minutes to respond to a question from the moderator, allowing them to share their professional experiences, expertise, and perspectives on the issues being discussed. Following the individual responses, the discussion moved into an open Q&A session, where delegates were able to engage directly with the panelists, raise their own questions, and explore key topics in greater depth. The interactive format encouraged thoughtful discussion and allowed participants to connect different perspectives while gaining a broader understanding of international relations and global governance.

Prof. Adnan Beqiri

Professor of International Relations, Academic Writing, and Critical Thinking, formerly Senior Academic Manager at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations and a US Army Linguist and Political Advisor, now Head of Academics at the Geneva-based Statecraft Institute. He addressed the principles guiding international decision-making amid geopolitical tensions and competing interests, with a focus on international ethics, diplomacy, and the importance of critical thinking in shaping effective international relations.

Prof. Octavia Cerchez

professor, researcher, diplomat, and international policy expert with more than 20 years of experience, having served as a negotiator and chairperson of high-level committees within the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and European Union, and advised the Romanian Government during EU accession. She reflected on the power of meaningful dialogue in international relations and how constructive conversation can transform differences into understanding, cooperation, and shared progress.

Dr. Blerim Mustafa

expert in post-Cold War self-determination with over a decade of experience across more than 20 countries, including work with UNHCR and IOM, holder of a Ph.D. in International Relations and Politics from the University of Leicester, and currently Advisory Vice Rector at the Geneva Nations Institute. He discussed the evolving role of young people in global governance, the barriers limiting their meaningful participation, and their potential to contribute to more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

The session closed with a Q&A in which delegates put questions directly to the panelists, and with the moderator’s reflection on curiosity, dialogue, and translating ideas into action beyond the Forum.

Keynote Address

Ambassador Phaswana Cleopus Sello Moloto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa, delivered the Day Three keynote following the panel and a coffee break.

Workshop: "Bilateral, Multilateral, or Both? Humanitarian Diplomacy in International Geneva"

Facilitator: Magdalena Mactus

Delegates explored three channels for moving influence in diplomacy — Bilateral (direct, fast, leverage-dependent), Multilateral (pooled, rules-based, slower), and Hybrid (a bloc pooling its own power outside the multilateral system) — grounded in the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine case (bilateral deals by China, Russia, and India; the multilateral COVAX mechanism; and the hybrid African Vaccine Acquisition Trust). Delegates worked in pods on each track and reported back their findings.

Workshop: "From Ideas to Impact: Be a Change Maker"

Speaker: Fiorina Mugione

Fiorina Mugione shared her own journey from Salerno, Italy, to an international career, then guided delegates through five core leadership skills — self-awareness, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and courage to act. Delegates applied these in a simulated crisis exercise (allocating emergency funds after flooding and drought), closing with a self-assessment and case studies of young changemakers Marcus Rashford and Memory Banda.

UN SDGs Grant Pitch Competition — $1,000 USD

Delegates pitched community projects aligned with the SDGs before an evaluation panel, judged on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, impact, scalability, and leadership potential.

Grant Winner — Gábor Henry Raschberger, “Safe Solar Nigeria”

Gábor Henry Raschberger won the USD 1,000 grant for Safe Solar Nigeria: Improving Solar Safety through Practical Education in Northern Nigeria. The project responds to a research gap — most households and businesses in the region rely on private solar home systems with little access to safe installation and maintenance guidance — through 12 professional videos in English and Hausa, shared free on social media under #safesolarnigeria. The grant will fund production and distribution, aiming to prevent accidents, extend system lifespan, and improve the reliability and equity of solar energy use.

Cultural Showcase & Graduation Ceremony

The day closed with the Cultural Showcase — celebrating the delegation’s diversity through traditional attire, music, and performances — combined with the Graduation Ceremony, where delegates received their Certificates of Participation. Silia Taider served as Master of Ceremonies throughout the four days.

Departure

The final day began with breakfast, followed by check-out and departures. Delegates reflected on the relationships and ideas built over the four-day program as they prepared to return home.

What happened

Morning
Breakfast
A final shared meal before departure.
Late Morning
Check-out
Delegates prepare to leave the Mövenpick Hotel Geneva.
Afternoon
Departures
The delegation returns home, carrying the Forum forward.

A Final Breakfast Together

Delegates shared one last meal, exchanging contacts and plans for continued collaboration.

Reflections & Farewells

As delegates checked out, the relationships and ideas built across four days became the Forum's true takeaway.

From Geneva to the World

Equipped with new skills, networks and institutional insight, delegates returned home ready to lead meaningful change.

Who joined Day 4

Day 4 was closing & departure only — no scheduled sessions. The MC accompanied the delegation through to the very end.

ST Silia Taider · Host

What the delegation carried home

Across four days of learning and collaboration, delegates left Geneva with sharper skills, deeper networks, and a clearer sense of their place in the global system.

01

Strengthened leadership and communication skills

02

Gained first-hand exposure to international institutions, including the WTO and ILO

03

Engaged directly with ambassadors and senior diplomats from South Africa, Mozambique, and Thailand

04

Explored frameworks for bilateral, multilateral, and hybrid humanitarian diplomacy

05

Developed practical solutions to global challenges through the UN SDGs Grant Pitch Competition

06

Expanded international professional networks and formed lasting connections

CGDL is a Canadian public policy institute driving global change through dialogue, innovation, and leadership.