In September, Fondation Botnar and Restless Development brought the Youth Power Summit to New York City. Running alongside the UN Summit of the Future, this youth-led event provided a unique platform for young leaders to take centre stage, share bold solutions, and hold decision-makers to account.
With 1.9 billion young people worldwide, the Youth Power Summit celebrated the #MissingMajority and demonstrated the power of youth voices in shaping global conversations on governance, leadership, and societal wellbeing.
Celebrating youth leadership
Over 300 participants—including young leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives—came together to collaborate on solutions to pressing global challenges. Designed and led by young people, the summit revolved around three thematic focus areas:
- Accountability and transparency: Strategies for youth and CSOs to hold leaders accountable.
- Policy, protest, and political engagement: Pathways for youth to influence policymaking.
- Evidence-based action: Leveraging data and insights to address youth needs.
Through engaging workshops, panels, and direct dialogues with decision-makers, the summit addressed issues such as education, digital safety, mental health, and gender equality.
What we learned
Young people deserve real leadership roles
Speakers and participants stressed that it’s time to move beyond tokenism. Young people must hold genuine leadership roles, actively shape decisions, and receive fair recognition and compensation for their work.
Protecting adolescence and wellbeing is key
Adolescence is a critical period for growth, yet many young people face harm, exploitation, and discrimination. The summit called for policies to safeguard this stage of life, ensuring all young people can thrive.
Human rights must guide technology
Digital technologies offer incredible opportunities, but they also pose risks. Human rights must guide innovations in AI and tech, with young people at the forefront to ensure ethical governance.
Mental health is vital
Mental health is among the leading concerns for young people, with suicide one of the top causes of death. Discussions at the summit made clear that youth leadership and wellbeing are inseparably linked.
Closing the gender digital divide
With the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration approaching, participants called for stronger mechanisms to protect girls and young women from online harm and ensure equitable access to digital opportunities.
Insights from the summit
In this blog, co-written by Yvonne Arivalagan, Policy Advocacy Manager at Fondation Botnar, and Clara Greiner, Project Manager Digital & Health Research, reflects on the UN Summit of the Future’s impact and the gaps between global commitments and youth priorities. They explore how the Youth Power Summit showcased young leaders as catalysts for change and why their voices must shape global policymaking in areas like digital rights, mental health and a more inclusive youth agenda.
Read their blog post here
Youth voices in action
Experience the energy of the Youth Power Summit through videos that capture the voices, insights, and passion of young participants.
Wrap Up:
73 Questions:
Vox Pop:
The #MissingMajority steps forward
The Youth Power Summit demonstrated that young people are not just the future—they are the present. Their leadership, ideas, and energy are shaping solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. Fondation Botnar remains committed to amplifying youth voices and ensuring they are recognised as equal partners in building a fairer, more inclusive future.
Together, we’re building a future where every young person has the power to create change.