Youth Leadership Summit (YLS)
Do you know a young person capable of changing the world? Join us in fostering the next generation of diplomatic leaders.
SCI Youth Leadership Summit
Youth Leadership Summit 2024
August 4 to August 10, 2024
Washington, DC
Diplomacy Beyond Borders: Inspire, Connect, Transform
About 2024 Youth Leadership Summit
The 2024 Youth Leadership Summit includes sessions and activities for youth, ages 14-18, from across the globe. The Summit is designed to engage future leaders and expose them to important global challenges inspiring a new generation of citizen diplomats and volunteers who become instrumental in promoting peace, mutual respect, and prosperity. The main goal of this summit is to prepare students with leadership and professional development skills to enable their successes and growth in the global community.
The cost for the 2024 Youth Leadership Summit is $1,795. This all-inclusive price covers lodging, cultural activities, and transportation within Washington, DC during the event.
This year’s YLS will take place in person in Washington, DC and the theme is “Diplomacy Beyond Borders: Inspire, Connect, Transform.” There will be two parts of the Summit: training seminars and a Department of State led Diplomacy Simulation.
During the training days of the Summit, students will attend professional development seminars, hear from guest speakers, and learn about foreign policy and diplomacy. On the last day of the Summit students will be participating in a diplomacy situation which will allow for students to learn about international relations, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
Experience University Culture
Throughout the week, students will be staying in dormitories at American University, allowing for students to experience university culture.
Chartered by an act of Congress in 1893, American University is a campus that offers more than 100 academic programs to over 14,000 students. Designated as a national arboretum, AU’S carbon neutral campus is conveniently located in Spring Valley, an urban residential neighborhood of Washington, DC, only a short distance from some of the cities most historic sites.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age Range: Applicants must be 14-18 years old at the time of YLS.
- Sister City Affiliation: Participants must be associated with a Sister City Organization, either as members, volunteers, or program participants.
- Interest in Citizen Diplomacy: Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to fostering international cooperation and understanding.
- Leadership Potential: Candidates should exhibit leadership qualities and a willingness to engage in leadership development activities.
- Commitment: Applicants must be available to attend the entirety of YLS. Scheduling conflicts must be communicated in advance.
- Parent Guardian Consent: For participants under the age of 18, parent/guardian consent is required to apply for YLS.
- International Students are welcome to apply but are responsible for their own visa and travel arrangements. Sister Cities International will provide visa recommendation letters upon acceptance.
- Diversity and Inclusion: We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and cultures to apply.
Application Process
- Number of Participants: 50 students will be selected.
- Required Materials:
- Two letters of recommendation: one from a school teacher and one from your local Sister City contact.
- A one-minute video answering, “How will participating in the Youth Leadership Summit contribute to your future goals, and why do you want to attend?”
- Three short-answer questions (300 words max):
- Who is your role model? What makes your role model unique?
- What does it mean to be a leader? Describe one characteristic that is important to be a successful leader and give one example.
- What does citizen diplomacy mean to you, and how do you think it can shape a better world for your generation and those to come?
- Submission Platform: Applications and recommendation letters must be submitted through the provided online Submittable platform. References will be automatically contacted to upload their letters of recommendation via Submittable. You will not be able to see the content of references once they are complete. It is the applicant’s responsibility to remind references to complete their letters on time. The letter will then be automatically added to your application after completion.
Payment Information
- Summit Fee: The fee for the summit is $1,795. This cost covers lodging, cultural activities, and local transportation in Washington, DC.
- Travel Costs: Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their travel to and from Washington, D.C.
- Payment Deadline: Payment must be made within two weeks upon acceptance. Failure to pay on time will result in loss of a spot in the program.
Agenda
Sunday 8/4: Registration and Settle in Dorms
- Airport Pickup
- Arrivals and Registration
- Orientation
- Welcome Dinner
- End of Day Meeting with Chaperones
Monday 8/5: Welcome to YLS and Introduction to Diplomacy
- Tour of American University
- Welcome to YLS! Overview of the Week
- Professional Development Seminar: Teamwork
- What is Diplomacy? Speaker and Programming
- Diplomacy Simulation Preparation
Tuesday 8/6: Water as a Global Issue and Cultural Activities
- Professional Development Seminar: Networking
- Water as a Global Issue in Diplomacy Programming
- Diplomacy Simulation Preparation
- Washington Nationals Baseball Game
Wednesday 8/7: Welcome to the Nation’s Capital
- Tour of a Smithsonian Museum
- Walking tour of Downtown Washington, D.C.
Thursday 8/8: Climate Change as a Global Issue
- Professional Development Seminar: Conflict Resolution
- Diplomacy Simulation Preparation
- Climate Change and Global Diplomacy Programming
Friday 8/9: Diplomacy Simulation and Closing Celebration
- Welcome to the State Department
- Diplomacy Simulation at the U.S. Department of State with the National Museum of American Diplomacy
- Closing Reception and International Youth Day Celebration
Saturday 8/10: Student Departure
- Departure and Airport Drop-off