From August 12 to 14, Colombia will host the Summit led by World Vision, bringing together adolescents and young people from over 10 countries to strengthen their leadership in addressing major global challenges such as climate change, peacebuilding, and decent employment.

As part of the International Youth Day celebration and the Vision for Vulnerable Youth Initiative, Colombia will host a global event that recognizes and promotes youth leadership. The Global Youth Summit 2025: “Youth in Action, Leading the Change” will take place from August 12 to 14 in Bogotá, under the leadership of the humanitarian organization World Vision.

This international gathering will bring together young leaders from more than 10 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and East Africa. Over three days, participants will reflect on the key challenges and opportunities faced by youth globally, focusing on three core themes: climate action, participation and peacebuilding, and education, economic development, and the future.

Morning sessions will feature 12 expert panelists from various sectors offering insights and analysis to enrich the discussion. In the afternoons, collaborative workshops will be held to strengthen the role of adolescents and youth in designing solutions to close social gaps, with cross-cutting themes including gender equity, social inclusion, mental health, innovation, and technology for development. The summit will conclude with the presentation of a Youth Manifesto.

The summit is part of the Youth Ready project, a World Vision initiative that seeks to empower youth through training, entrepreneurship, psychosocial support, and the creation of economic opportunities across various countries. As Farley Montealegre, Regional Manager of the Youth Ready Project for Latin America, states: “This Summit highlights that adolescents and youth are the driving force behind the major transformations needed for a life in fullness globally. They simply demand opportunities that allow them to discover, develop, and maximize their full potential.”

This event not only celebrates the transformative power of youth but also promotes their active participation in global change processes—from climate to economic, political, and social spheres. It contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), invests in youth leadership as a driving force for change, fosters the design of solutions rooted in local voices and realities, strengthens intergenerational and cross-sectoral collaboration, and advances a truly inclusive development agenda.

The Summit takes place in an urgent context where youth face serious challenges in accessing decent and sustainable employment. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), over 20% of young people in Latin America and the Caribbean are unemployed, and nearly 60% of those who work do so in informal conditions. This reality hinders their economic, social, and emotional development and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality.

In Colombia, the situation is also critical. According to DANE (June 2025), the youth unemployment rate stands at 17.4%, with women and rural youth being the most affected. Additionally, 4 out of 10 young people are neither studying nor working in formal conditions, highlighting the urgent need for public policies and programs that foster youth inclusion in the labor market and the development of 21st-century skills.

“Youth in Action, Leading the Change” is not only a celebration of the transformative power of youth but also a call to join efforts across generations and sectors to build a more just, sustainable, and inclusive future. The public is invited to join the live broadcast on World Vision Colombia’s Facebook page, on August 12 at 8:00 a.m. and August 14 at 10:00 a.m.