Global Youth Conference
The GYC is a 4-day event held in Osaka and Kobe in early August that brings young people from all around the world together to discuss important social issues based on the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also offers cultural exchange, fun team building and leadership development opportunities for young people. It is based on the concepts of youth empowerment and global citizenship and is run by young people for young people.
Last year's GYC was cancelled due to the spread of Covid-19. This year, the 6th Global Youth Conference will be held online from March 25th - 27th.
The GYC is an event that strives to help young people “discover” 3 important things. They are:
(1) Global Issues and Local Issues
Discover, learn about and develop awareness of local and global issues as global citizens and in an interdependent world, so that they can recognize issues as their own during a global era.
2) Leadership Skills and Confidence
Uncover new skills and abilities, and gain confidence and self reliance.
(3) Strong Relationships
Develop a network of long-lasting friends to work with and support each other in the face of on-going social challenges.
Through these 3 pillars, the GYC fosters the spirit of connection with other GYC delegates and broader society and provides a pathway for young people to better themselves in their own way.
Further, the GYC is run on the principle of “Youth Empowerment” by conducting a series of online workshops, cultural activities, and debates. These experiences facilitate networking, leadership development, and thinking, learning, discussing and acting on global issues.
The GYC has the following objectives:
- To build a forum for young people from around the world to learn about global issues affecting young people through interactive learning and positive debate in a safe and supportive environment
- Contribute to the development of young global citizens
- Make the GYC the No. 1 youth forum on global issues of it’s kind in Asia
- Encourage participants to apply what they have learnt and take action to positively impact their local communities through individual and group projects.
- Align it’s content with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Contribute to the internationalisation of Osaka YMCA in accordance with Osaka YMCA’s Vision 2020 - 2025 strategic plan
Simple - it’s fun, educational and rewarding. There’s so much to get out of the conference, from attending a truly international event as a delegate from your country, to making new friends from all over the world, to learning about important global issues. The young people involved make the event what it is - truly inspirational.
