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The agenda

Four days in Manchester, from the parade of nations to the Manchester Youth Declaration. 15 to 18 April 2027.

  • VenueRevolution Manchester Deansgate Locks
  • FormatKeynotes, labs, simulation, city tour
  • Delegates200+ from around the world

Day 1 · Thursday 15 April

Welcome to Manchester

  1. Arrivals and hotel check in

    Student volunteers welcome delegates at the hotel.

  2. Registration and accreditation

    Badges, delegate kit and programme booklet.

  3. Welcome lunch

    Icebreaker by country table.

  4. Opening Ceremony

    Welcome address, parade of nations with every delegation's flag, and a welcome from the host city.

    Cllr Shaukat AliLord Mayor of Manchester

  5. Opening Keynote: Youth Diplomacy in a Divided World

    Dame Karen Pierce DCMGFormer UK Ambassador to the United States

  6. Team formation

    Delegates are placed in mixed nationality teams with a facilitator, and work together across all four days.

  7. Welcome Reception and networking dinner

Day 2 · Friday 16 April

Diplomacy and Global Policy

  1. Breakfast

  2. Keynote: How Global Policy Is Really Made

    Jill Gallard CMG CVOFormer British Ambassador to Germany

  3. Diplomatic Dialogue Session

    Delegates represent countries other than their own and negotiate a position on climate migration.

  4. Workshop: Negotiation and Persuasion Skills

    Practical role plays and feedback.

  5. Lunch

  6. Policy Simulation: Climate and Migration Summit, phase one

    Teams act as country delegations and draft a joint resolution.

  7. Panel: Youth Voices in Global Policy

    Young leaders already working in policy share how they started.

    Joshua OpeyChair, Commonwealth Youth Council (2024 to 2026)Temilade SalamiAdvisory Board Member, UNICEFFrancesca CasimirYoung People and Communities Lead

  8. Talk: The Global Economy Young Leaders Need to Understand

    Debt, trade, climate finance and what they mean for your country.

    Creon ButlerResearch Director, Chatham House

  9. Speed Mentoring

    Small rotating groups with professionals from policy, law, international development, media and tech.

  10. Cultural Night

    Music, dress, food and a two minute postcard from every delegation.

Day 3 · Saturday 17 April

Leadership, Innovation and the City

  1. Breakfast

  2. Keynote: Leading Change in Your Community

    Sonya BarlowFounder and CEO, Like Minded Females Network

  3. Panel: Technology, AI and the Future of Public Policy

    How AI, digital identity and health technology are changing the way governments serve people.

    Dr Charlotte RefsumDirector of Health Policy, Tony Blair InstituteNick PicklesChief Policy Officer, Tools for Humanity

  4. Social Entrepreneurship Lab

    Teams turn a local problem into a project idea with an impact canvas, with a mentor at every table.

    Melody HossainiSocial EntrepreneurTabz O'BrienAssistant Director, Communities and Social InnovationJames O'FarrellHead of Youth Programmes, Young Manchester

  5. Lunch

  6. Manchester Leadership Tour

    A guided city programme covering democracy and rights, civic leadership at the Town Hall, science and innovation on a university campus walk, and the industrial heritage of Castlefield.

  7. Delegate social evening

    Optional group dinner in the city centre.

Day 4 · Sunday 18 April

From Ideas to Action

  1. Breakfast and check out

  2. Policy Simulation, final phase

    Final negotiation and vote on the joint resolution.

  3. Youth Presentations

    Every team pitches its project or policy idea in five minutes to a judging panel.

  4. Lunch

  5. The Manchester Youth Declaration 2027

    Delegates present and sign a shared declaration of commitments.

  6. Closing Keynote: Your Next 12 Months

    Jeffrey RayportFaculty, Harvard Business School

  7. Closing Ceremony

    Awards for Best Delegation, Best Policy Proposal, Best Social Impact Idea and Outstanding Delegate, certificates of participation and the group photo with all flags.

  8. Farewell networking

    Join the GFN alumni network.

  9. Departures

  • Quiet room and prayer room every day
  • Halal and vegetarian meals at every meal
  • Delegate help desk at the venue every day
  • 200+ delegates from around the world

Our speakers

Diplomats, policy leaders, founders and youth changemakers. More speakers will be announced.

Cllr Shaukat Ali

Cllr Shaukat Ali

Lord Mayor of Manchester

Manchester's 128th Lord Mayor. Born in Azad Kashmir, he moved to Manchester at 16, drove a taxi while studying English and became a city councillor in 2012.

Opening Ceremony
Dame Karen Pierce DCMG

Dame Karen Pierce DCMG

Former UK Ambassador to the United States

One of Britain's most senior diplomats, formerly UK Ambassador to the United States and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Opening Keynote: Youth Diplomacy in a Divided World
Jill Gallard CMG CVO

Jill Gallard CMG CVO

Former British Ambassador to Germany

A senior British diplomat who served as UK Ambassador to Germany and regularly speaks with young professionals about diplomacy in practice.

Keynote: How Global Policy Is Really Made
Creon Butler

Creon Butler

Research Director, Chatham House

Leads Chatham House's Global Economy and Finance Programme. Previously director for international economic affairs at the UK Cabinet Office and deputy high commissioner in New Delhi.

Talk: The Global Economy Young Leaders Need to Understand
Jeffrey Rayport

Jeffrey Rayport

Faculty, Harvard Business School

Teaches entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School and founded the Marketspace digital strategy practice at Monitor Deloitte.

Closing Keynote: Your Next 12 Months
Sonya Barlow

Sonya Barlow

Founder and CEO, Like Minded Females Network

A Pakistan born British entrepreneur, author and speaker who built a global network supporting women and underrepresented groups into careers.

Keynote: Leading Change in Your Community
Dr Charlotte Refsum

Dr Charlotte Refsum

Director of Health Policy, Tony Blair Institute

A physician and former NHS GP who leads health policy at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, focused on how technology and AI can strengthen health systems.

Panel: Technology, AI and the Future of Public Policy
Nick Pickles

Nick Pickles

Chief Policy Officer, Tools for Humanity

Leads global policy at Tools for Humanity. Formerly head of global affairs at X and Twitter, and before that director of the civil liberties group Big Brother Watch.

Panel: Technology, AI and the Future of Public Policy
Joshua Opey

Joshua Opey

Chair, Commonwealth Youth Council (2024 to 2026)

The first Ghanaian to chair the Commonwealth Youth Council, representing young people across the Commonwealth's member countries.

Panel: Youth Voices in Global Policy
Temilade Salami

Temilade Salami

Advisory Board Member, UNICEF

A Nigerian climate education advocate and founder of EcoChampions, one of Africa's largest networks of young environmentalists.

Panel: Youth Voices in Global Policy
Francesca Casimir

Francesca Casimir

Young People and Communities Lead

Works with young people and communities to build opportunities, participation and youth voice in civic life.

Panel: Youth Voices in Global Policy
Melody Hossaini

Melody Hossaini

Social Entrepreneur

A social entrepreneur known for her work on youth empowerment and leadership development.

Social Entrepreneurship Lab
Tabz O'Brien

Tabz O'Brien

Assistant Director, Communities and Social Innovation

Works on public policy and strategy in Greater Manchester, with more than a decade of experience in the charity sector.

Social Entrepreneurship Lab
James O'Farrell

James O'Farrell

Head of Youth Programmes, Young Manchester

Leads youth programmes at Young Manchester, the charity that supports youth and play services across the city.

Social Entrepreneurship Lab

Your seat in Manchester starts with one application

Apply now

Applications close 15 January 2027