(Executive Circle meeting with members of the team)

The Youth Leadership Team is a diverse group of young change-makers, created through an initiative by the Forum’s Executive Circle to encourage greater youth participation.

To support this effort, a funding campaign was launched, with generous contributions from Forum members and participants. These donations helped cover the costs for young leaders facing financial barriers to attend.

Before the Forum, we held virtual meetings with the young participants to get to know them and gather their ideas and input for the programme.

In total, we connected with around 50 young people from around the world. Due to funding and logistical constraints, we were able to confirm 28 attendees—a result we consider a great success. These participants brought a rich mix of international perspectives and professions, including journalists, photographers, educators, and musicians from countries like Cameroon, Brazil, and the USA.

Youth leaders were actively encouraged to contribute to the Forum’s content. We paired them with existing workshop leaders to create cross-generational sessions. One participant, Ellie Todd, a Breathwork Therapy Practitioner, even led her own session during the event.

Perhaps the most inspiring outcome of the Youth Leadership Team has been its continuation after the Forum. A few weeks later, we held a follow-up meeting—and all 28 attendees showed up. From that group, we’ve now formed a smaller ‘Core Team’ that meets monthly, on the last Sunday of each month. We use this space to share personal projects, invite each other to events, and maintain strong connections.

In August, we invited members of the Executive Circle to one of our meetings to reconnect and share more about the Forum’s history and purpose.

We look forward to continuing our monthly gatherings and further developing the Youth Leadership Team.

If you’d like to connect with us, attend a meeting, or share an initiative, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Luke Addison
Youth Leadership Team Coordinator
Luke.addison (AT) sohforum.org
+44 777 601 29 55