The Misk Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Youth Office, has announced the establishment of the Global Youth Network, a new international initiative designed to strengthen youth participation in global policymaking and decision-making and connect independent organizations working to serve young people with international platforms and leadership pathways.
The announcement was made during the AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva, coinciding with International Youth Day. The network is scheduled to be formally launched during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2026.
The initiative builds on the partnership between the Misk Foundation and the United Nations Youth Office announced in December 2025, which focuses on strengthening young people’s policy engagement skills, expanding their access to global institutions and platforms, and building their capacity to contribute meaningfully to global agendas and decision-making processes.
Four Pillars at the Core of the Global Youth Network
The Global Youth Network will operate through four key pillars designed to create stronger and more effective pathways for youth participation in international affairs.
The first pillar focuses on strengthening young people’s capabilities in public policy and representation, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to engage more effectively in policymaking processes.
The second pillar aims to establish clear pathways for young people to access United Nations platforms and global forums, giving them greater opportunities to engage directly with institutions and decision-makers.
The third pillar focuses on amplifying diverse youth voices and increasing the representation of underrepresented groups, broadening participation in global discussions and ensuring that a wider range of perspectives is heard.
The fourth pillar will provide member organizations with shared tools, data and knowledge to help them strengthen their work and expand their impact both locally and internationally.
Connecting Youth Organizations with Global Platforms
The network is designed to move youth participation beyond symbolic representation toward meaningful and practical engagement by creating pathways for young people and the organizations representing them to contribute to international policy discussions and decision-making processes.
This approach aligns with the mandate of the United Nations Youth Office, the first dedicated entity for youth affairs within the UN Secretariat. The office works to advance meaningful and inclusive youth participation in decision-making and supports young people as partners and agents of change in addressing global challenges.
The network will also bring together independent organizations working across areas including policy, education and civic engagement, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and the development of new international initiatives.
Misk: Turning Youth Visions into Practical Tools
Misk Foundation CEO Dr. Badr Al Badr said the Global Youth Network will bring young people and decision-makers together to contribute to the development of international policies and transform youth perspectives into practical tools and field strategies designed by young people to address global challenges.
The initiative reflects the broader direction of the Misk Foundation’s partnership with the United Nations Youth Office, which focuses on equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to turn ambition into tangible global impact.
The partnership announced in 2025 included plans for joint capacity-building programs focused on policy literacy and global engagement, expanded opportunities for youth participation in major UN events and high-level global forums, as well as the development of a first-of-its-kind network bringing together youth champions, institutions and partners committed to advancing the global youth agenda.
UN Youth Office Emphasizes Meaningful Youth Influence
Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Head of the United Nations Youth Office, said sustainable opportunities for young people can give them a genuine role in global decision-making.
The United Nations Youth Office works to advance meaningful youth participation across sustainable development, peace and security, and human rights, while also supporting partnerships and initiatives that create opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making processes.
The office has increasingly emphasized the need to move youth participation beyond visibility toward real influence and shared responsibility, an approach that closely aligns with the objectives of the new network.
Representing More Than 20 Million Young People
The network’s membership includes independent organizations focused on serving young people in areas such as policy, education and civic engagement. Its founding members aim to collectively represent more than 20 million young people worldwide.
This broad reach could provide the network with a substantial base for exchanging experiences and best practices among youth organizations, while developing shared tools that strengthen youth participation in issues that extend beyond national borders.
Formal Launch Set for the UN General Assembly
The Global Youth Network is scheduled to be formally launched during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2026, marking the beginning of a new phase focused on connecting youth organizations with international platforms and decision-makers.
The launch comes as the United Nations continues to place youth participation at the center of its global agenda, with its Youth Strategy emphasizing the importance of empowering young people to participate in governance, policymaking and decisions that affect their lives and the future of their communities.
The initiative reflects a growing international focus on creating sustainable channels for youth participation, moving beyond attendance at events and consultation toward a greater role for young people in designing solutions, policies and strategies addressing global challenges.
