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A large group of summit delegates in a conference room holding their certificates and Sustainable Development Goal cards

Applications open · Bangkok, Thailand

New Generation Leaders Summit 2027

Reimagining Leadership for a Sustainable Future. Three days. 100 young delegates. One city at the crossroads of Asia.

  • 23–25 February 2027
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • 100 delegates
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Applications close 30 November 2026.

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About this edition

Reimagining Leadership for a Sustainable Future

Venue in Bangkok to be announced to delegates.

The New Generation Leaders Summit is where young people who are already changing their communities meet the peers, mentors and ideas that help them go further. After a first edition in Dubai, the summit travels to Bangkok, Thailand, for its 2027 edition: a city where tradition and innovation share every street, and a natural meeting point for delegates from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Over three days, 100 delegates will hear from leaders in government, business and civil society; work in small teams on real challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals; build practical skills in public speaking, project design and fundraising; and share the culture of their own countries with one another. On the final day, delegates will present their projects and adopt the Bangkok Youth Declaration, a statement of commitments they will carry home.

Talent, not money, decides who is in the room

We believe the most promising young people are often those with the fewest resources. That is why 25 of the 100 places are funded, selected through a competitive application process. Fully funded places also cover your return flight; partially funded delegates pay for their own.

The other 75 places are self-funded: register, pay the US$500 conference fee, and your place is confirmed.

Organised by Better World Charity

The summit is an initiative of Better World Charity, an international non-profit organisation that strives to restore the dignity of the marginalised. Every edition is designed to leave behind more than memories: a network of delegates committed to building a better world for everybody.

Packages

Two ways to attend

Every delegate gets the full programme and the same experience on the ground in Bangkok.

Funded

Covered

Selected through a competitive application process

25 places

Funded places come in two levels, awarded through the same application. Your conference package is covered either way.

  • Fully Funded Your two-way flight is paid for, on top of everything included below.
  • Partially Funded You pay for your own two-way flight. Everything included below is covered.

Included at both levels

  • Full access to the three-day programme
  • Hotel accommodation for the summit nights (twin-shared room)
  • Breakfast, lunch, refreshments and dinners during the summit
  • Airport transfers on the official arrival and departure days
  • Welcome dinner, cultural evening and closing gala
  • Delegate kit
  • Certificate of participation
  • Official invitation letter for your visa application
Apply for a funded place

Self-Funded

US$500

Conference fee, paid on registration

75 places

Register and pay the US$500 conference fee, and your place is confirmed. You arrange your own flight and visa.

What's included

  • Full access to the three-day programme
  • Hotel accommodation for the summit nights (twin-shared room)
  • Breakfast, lunch, refreshments and dinners during the summit
  • Airport transfers on the official arrival and departure days
  • Welcome dinner, cultural evening and closing gala
  • Delegate kit
  • Certificate of participation
  • Official invitation letter for your visa application
Register for a self-funded place

Applying for a funded place carries a US$17 non-refundable application fee, which pays for reviewing your application. See our fees and refund policy.

The experience

Three days that change how you lead

A programme built to move you from inspiration to action, with time to learn from the people beside you as well as the people on stage.

Keynotes and high-level panels

Hear from leaders in government, international organisations, business and civil society, and put your own questions to them.

Leadership skills workshops

Hands-on sessions in public speaking, project design, fundraising and personal branding, led by practitioners.

SDG Action Labs

Work in a small international team on a real challenge linked to one of the Global Goals, then pitch your solution on the final day.

Cultural exchange

A cultural evening where delegates share the traditions of their countries, and an evening on Bangkok's Chao Phraya river.

Networking with purpose

Structured networking with fellow delegates, speakers and partner organisations, so the connections last beyond the summit.

Certificates and the Bangkok Youth Declaration

Close the summit by adopting a shared declaration of commitments and receiving your certificate of participation.

Themes

Reimagining Leadership for a Sustainable Future

The programme is organised around the questions that will shape the next decade, each tied to the Sustainable Development Goals.

01

Leadership for the 2030 Agenda

What it takes to lead on the Sustainable Development Goals when the deadline is five years away.

02

Climate action and resilient cities

Practical responses to a warming world, from Bangkok's own flood defences to community-led adaptation.

03

Social entrepreneurship and the future of work

Building ventures that solve problems and create jobs, and preparing for work that does not exist yet.

04

Technology, AI and digital inclusion

Making sure the tools reshaping the world reach, and serve, the people most often left out.

05

Peace, diplomacy and dialogue

Leading across cultures and disagreements, and the role of young people in building lasting peace.

06

Health, wellbeing and humanitarian action

From mental health to emergency response, and how young leaders can strengthen both.

07

Gender equality and inclusive leadership

Leadership that opens doors for women, people with disabilities and every under-represented group.

08

Education and youth empowerment

Learning that equips the next generation, inside and outside the classroom.

Programme

The programme at a glance

A provisional outline. Speakers and session details are announced as they are confirmed.

Day 1: Leading in a world in transition

  1. Registration and collection of delegate kits
  2. Opening ceremony and welcome from Better World Charity
  3. Keynote: Reimagining leadership for a sustainable future
  4. High-level panel: What the next generation owes the 2030 Agenda
  5. Networking lunch
  6. Leadership skills workshops (parallel sessions)
  7. SDG Action Labs: teams formed and challenges assigned
  8. Welcome dinner

Times are Bangkok local time (UTC+7). The programme may change.

Who should apply

You don't need a title. You need a track record of taking initiative.

  • You are between 18 and 40 years old
  • You are already taking initiative in your community, organisation, business or field of study
  • You care about at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals and want to act on it
  • You are comfortable taking part in discussions and group work in English
  • You hold, or can obtain, a passport valid until at least August 2027
  • You are committed to attending the full three-day programme

How applications are judged

Every complete application is read and scored by the selection committee against the same criteria.

1

Leadership and impact

What you have already done, at whatever scale, and what changed because of it.

2

Motivation

Why this summit, why now, and what you will bring to the other delegates.

3

Connection to the Global Goals

How your work relates to the Sustainable Development Goals.

4

Multiplier effect

Your plan to share what you learn with your community when you return home.

5

A balanced cohort

We aim for a room that is diverse in region, gender and background. Financial need is considered for funded places.

Gallery

Moments from Dubai 2025. See the full gallery.

Panel discussion, Dubai 2025
Flags of the delegations, Dubai 2025
An evening by the water, Dubai 2025
SDG session, Dubai 2025
Delegates and their Goals, Dubai 2025
Delegates from Cameroon and Kenya, Dubai 2025

Partners

The organisations behind the summit

Organiser

Partners

Technology partner

Interested in sponsoring funded places or partnering with the summit? Talk to us.

Questions

Before you apply

The questions we are asked most often. If yours is not here, the full list probably has it.

All questions

Ask us something else

Who can apply to the New Generation Leaders Summit?

Young people aged 18 to 40, from any country, who are already making a difference in their community, organisation, business or field of study. Students, young professionals, social entrepreneurs, activists, NGO staff and public servants are all welcome. You do not need a title; you need a track record of taking initiative and a clear idea of what you want to change.

What is the difference between a funded and a self-funded place?

Funded places are selected through a competitive application process. You apply, pay a non-refundable US$17 application fee, and we email you the outcome. Funded places are either fully funded, where your two-way flight is paid for too, or partially funded, where you pay for your own flight. Self-funded places need no selection: you register, pay the US$500 conference fee, and your place is confirmed straight away. Every delegate gets the same programme and the same experience on the ground.

When is the deadline to apply?

There is one closing date for all applications, shown at the top of the home page. Self-funded places can fill up before then, so do not leave it to the last day.

When will I know whether I have been selected?

We email every applicant for a funded place with the outcome. You can check the status of your application at any time using the private link in your confirmation email.

I attended the summit in Dubai. Can I apply again?

Yes. Alumni of the 2025 summit are welcome to apply for a funded place or to register for a self-funded one. Tell us what you have done since Dubai in your application; returning delegates who can show what they did with the experience are strong candidates.

How much does it cost to attend?

Fully funded delegates pay only the US$17 application fee: their conference package and their two-way flight are paid for. Partially funded delegates pay the US$17 application fee and their own flight; their conference package is covered. Self-funded delegates pay the US$500 conference fee and arrange their own flight and visa.

What does the US$500 conference fee cover?

Everything you need on the ground in Bangkok: full access to the three-day programme, hotel accommodation for the summit nights, meals and refreshments during the summit, airport transfers on the official arrival and departure days, the delegate kit, the cultural programme, your certificate of participation and an official invitation letter for your visa application. It does not cover international flights, visa fees, travel insurance or personal spending.

Is the application fee refundable?

No. The US$17 application fee covers the cost of reviewing your application and is non-refundable whatever the outcome, including if you are not selected. The only exception is if we cancel the summit before decisions are announced. Our Fees and Refund Policy explains when the conference fee can be refunded.

Your seat in Bangkok is waiting

Applications close on 30 November 2026. Applications take about 20 minutes, so set aside some time to do yours properly.

Apply now