The International Congress of Youth Voices

https://www.internationalcongressofyouthvoices.com/

In its inaugural year, The International Congress of Youth Voices will unite 100 students, ages 16 to 20, from around the world to learn with and from accomplished writers, activists, and elected officials. To date, we have confirmed youth delegates from the United States, Iraq, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Syria, Ireland, Australia, Iceland, Burundi, Honduras, Cuba, Denmark, Venezuela, Zambia, and Nepal. The event, founded by author Dave Eggers (co-founder of 826 National) and nonprofit leader Amanda Uhle, will take place August 3, 4, and 5, 2018, in San Francisco.

Student delegates are chosen based on their commitment to leadership and social justice and their passion and eloquence as writers. The event is designed to provide a path to leadership for all delegates and represents a continuum from students who have exhibited potential in local writing and tutoring programs to writers and activists who have already made notable achievements at a very young age. We will welcome the 2015 UK Young Scientist of the Year, the 2017 Glocal Teen Hero of Nepal, a finalist for the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate competition, a Kentucky Governor's Scholar honoree, published authors, Model UN attendees, winners of the United States President's Volunteer Service Award, and Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners.

Politics of the world affect young people as much as anyone else, and they have little to no voice as major decisions are made. The Congress was founded as a means to amplify their ideas and energy and to unite young people for a weekend of collaboration.

The public is invited to hear from the student delegates and select guest speakers at a special event Saturday, August 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Nourse Theater (275 Hayes St., San Francisco). Expect readings of students' original writing and a chance to learn about young people's perspectives worldwide. The live on-stage event will be followed by a reception with the delegates.

Watch this website for further event details and announcement of new delegates and guest speakers.

PARTNERS

The International Congress of Youth Voices is presented by The Hawkins Project and made possible with support from people and organizations in the United States and internationally, including dozens of youth-serving organizations that have nominated student delegates.