Vatican Youth Symposium

Vatican Youth Symposium

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The Vatican Youth Symposium gathers a diverse group of young people from different backgrounds and disciplines for an annual event at the Vatican. For two days, these young people will work towards solutions on the biggest challenges facing our world today.

Vatican Youth Symposium

Overview

  • The Vatican Youth Symposium gathers a diverse group of young people from different backgrounds and disciplines for an annual event at the Vatican, during which young people come together to work towards solutions on the biggest challenges facing our world today.

    The next Symposium will be held December 15-17, 2021. It will convene youth leaders from around the world with the support of SDSN Youth and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. The Symposium brings together some of the world’s most renowned thought leaders to connect with young people to create pathways of understanding and action to shape a sustainable world for future generations. Leaders of civil society, faith communities, businesses, academia, celebrity activists and members of the UN Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates, will join and offer their guidance and partnership with the youth leaders.

    The theme, “Global Youth Movements; Leading Change for the Good of Present & Future Generations ” will frame sessions devoted to the dimensions of youth empowerment and intergenerational leadership, with discussions on how COVID-19 presents both an enormous challenge and unforeseen opportunities for advancing sustainable development globally.

    Core sessions will be categorized into thematic areas split over two days: Transformative Education and Global Citizenship, Human Rights and Dignity, Sustainable Cities & Communities, and Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology, presenting inspiring messages of how the synergy between the creativity of younger generations and the expertise of older ones can create progressive change.

    Learn more and join us

Our Impact

Meet the team

Antonio Díaz Aranda

Project Officer

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Kayla Colyard

Project Lead

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Global Events & Partnerships

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Antonio Díaz Aranda

Project Lead

(

Global Events & Partnerships

)

Leverage our global network to accelerate your impact.

Apply to become a
Partner

One team; one dream; 17 goals

The SDGs are truly audacious goals, and we believe that achieving them requires strong teamwork. It doesn't matter what you - if you are working towards sustainable development, and want to work with young people - let's explore what we can do!

Leverage our global network

We can amplify your work with our youth network and/or broader SDSN network of academic experts and partners. Running training programs? Do you fund youth solutions? We're always looking for opportunities to share.

Work with a network of young people

Tap into a community of passionate young people. It's important for us to design for the next generation.

Partner

Your questions about the Youth Membership Program, answered

  • How does the SDSN Youth Executive Team select the member organizations?

    The selection process consists of a criteria list:

    • Youth-led / youth-focused / SDGs
    • A social media platform / established community 
    • Organizational structure / organizational body / team-led structure / designated roles
    • Existing strategic partners/ collaborators
    • Activity and current projects

    Who does the SDSN Youth Membership Program work with?

    Universities, academic and cultural institutions, university teams, student associations, youth-led organizations, research institutions, community initiatives, and digital platforms. 

    What are the benefits of joining the Youth Membership Program?

    • Receive support for promising projects, through research assistance and other means
    • Reach a global audience
    • Get your opinions, campaigns, and initiatives published on our social media, blog, and newsletter, which are distributed to our members and followers worldwide
    • Be recognized as an official Member Organization of SDSN Youth
    • Network with like-minded organizations and individuals
    • Tap into your own potential to optimize your efforts and contribute towards a more sustainable and equal world

    What are some of the opportunities Member Organizations have as part of the program?

    • Attend quarterly conference calls held by Network Coordinators
    • Attend quarterly webinars with leading SDSN figures
    • Actively contribute to the SDSN Youth online platform for Member Organizations
    • Participate in local and global SDSN Youth events, projects, campaigns and initiatives
    • Promote SDSN Youth Membership through your social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and mailing list
    • Share SDSN Youth's official logo (provided by SDSN Youth) on your website
    • Follow, like, and share SDSN Youth

    Learn more and join us
SDSN Youth partners up with IB to galvanize social entrepreneurship and SDGs among young people

The partnership will identify, mentor, and unlock youth-led social entrepreneurial projects for the SDGs in selected IB students and educators around the world.

Our members come from different parts of Africa, the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.

See all Member Organizations
Explore our impact stories
SDSN Youth partners up with IB to galvanize social entrepreneurship and SDGs among young people

SDSN Youth partners up with IB to galvanize social entrepreneurship and SDGs among young people

The partnership will identify, mentor, and unlock youth-led social entrepreneurial projects for the SDGs in selected IB students and educators around the world.

Learn more
The Vatican Youth Symposium is back online for 2021!

The Vatican Youth Symposium is back online for 2021!

Co-hosted by SDSN Youth and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS), the Vatican Youth Symposium (VYS) brings together youth leaders and experts to strengthen the global movement for sustainable development.

Learn more
Vatican Youth Symposium 2020 goes virtual!

Vatican Youth Symposium 2020 goes virtual!

Traditionally held at the Casina Pio IV in Vatican City, the 2020 VYS will take on a virtual format due to the constraints of the global pandemic. While we will miss convening within the walls of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the ability to connect in-person, this virtual format has granted us with the opportunity to reach an even greater audience. 

Learn more

Explore more resources

The Youth Solutions Program launches its first-ever Pitch Competition

On October 15, 2022, 12 of our Investment Readiness Program star social innovators will be presenting their pitch decks to an expert panel of judges and an audience of impact investors, industry professionals, and peers. Join us!

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17 Books: Webinar series launches to discuss the role of higher education in meeting the SDGs in dialogue with youth voices

What is the role of higher education in delivering the SDGs to help create a world that leaves no one behind? Join us to discuss on September 16!

Read more

The Vatican Youth Symposium is back online for 2021!

Co-hosted by SDSN Youth and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS), the Vatican Youth Symposium (VYS) brings together youth leaders and experts to strengthen the global movement for sustainable development.

Read more

Vatican Youth Symposium 2020 goes virtual!

Traditionally held at the Casina Pio IV in Vatican City, the 2020 VYS will take on a virtual format due to the constraints of the global pandemic. While we will miss convening within the walls of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the ability to connect in-person, this virtual format has granted us with the opportunity to reach an even greater audience. 

Read more

Vatican Youth Symposium 2019 brings together 85 leaders to develop solutions for the SDGs

The Vatican Youth Symposium 2019 will take place at the Casina Pio IV in Vatican City on October 16. This year, it gathers more than 85 leaders and innovators to develop solutions and partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Vatican Youth Symposium 2018

SDSN Youth in collaboration with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS), will host the Vatican Youth Symposium at the Casina Pio IV in Vatican City. Youth Leadership for Integral Human Development - Laudato Si’ and the Sustainable Development Goals.

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2018 Vatican Youth Symposium

The 2018 Vatican Youth Symposium, which was jointly convened by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and SDSN Youth, brought together youth entrepreneurs, activists, and innovators for training in global development. The theme of the conference, which was Youth Leadership for Integral Human Development: Laudato Si’ and the Sustainable Development Goals, motivated participants to recommit themselves to partnerships for the 2030 Agenda and to their role as youth leaders for a brighter, better future.

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VYS 2017: Young leaders gather in Vatican City to tackle the world’s biggest challenges

Vatican City: On October 14-15, 2017 the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS), in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and its Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth), will host the fourth edition of the Vatican Youth Symposium within the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Casina Pio in the Vatican City.

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Vatican Youth Symposium 2020

Providing a platform for young leaders in sustainable development to collaborate and develop partnership opportunities.

Re-watch the event

Vatican Youth Symposium 2019

Co-hosted by SDSN Youth and Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS), the Symposium brings together more than 85 leaders and innovators in global development to develop solutions and partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Vatican Youth Symposium 2018

Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and SDSN Youth will partner together again to bring The Vatican Youth Symposium 2018 on Oct 31, 2018 at Casina Pio IV, Vatican City.

Re-watch the event

Vatican Youth Symposium 2016

On 30-31 October 2016, SDSN Youth assembled young leaders from a variety of disciplines including tech, advocacy, research and policy to the Vatican for a series of interactive workshops to trade knowledge, co-generate ideas and operationalize solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Re-watch the event

Vatican Youth Symposium 2017

In Vatican City October 14-15 2017, 50 young leaders from 30 different countries convened to address this crisis.

Re-watch the event