2025 WIC Global Youth Leaders Application is Open Now

About Us – The World Internet Conference (WIC)

Since 2014, the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit has been successfully held for eleven consecutive years. Every year, the Wuzhen Summit invites more than 1,000 high-level representatives from government departments, international organizations, leading internet companies, industry organizations and academic institutions to carry out dialogues and exchanges on topics related to the global internet development and governance. Over the past eleven years, the Summit has continuously gathered wisdom, built consensus, and deepened digital cooperation. It has developed into a high-end global platform promoting shared benefits and joint internet governance, as well as exchange and cooperation in the digital economy. This initiative has gained significant attention, strong support, and wide recognition from the international community.

In July, 2022, the World Internet Conference was formally established as an international organization, with the goal to build a global platform for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits of the internet. It aims to help the international community follow the trend of digitization, networking and intelligence in the information age, tackle security challenges together, benefit people globally, and build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

Empowering Young Voices – The Global Youth Leadership Program (GYLP)

The Global Youth Leadership Program (GYLP) is a flagship initiative of WIC international organization, launched in 2023. Over the past two years, hundreds of young professionals from 85 countries and regions across six continents have submitted applications to join the program.

- Forum: To organize the Global Youth Leadership Forum at the Wuzhen Summit annually, inviting youth leaders to speak on pressing internet topics and providing a platform for young voices.

- Training: To organize high-end field research and training programs in various countries and regions, invite global Internet leaders to give lectures, enhance the skills and capabilities of young people, and cultivate youth leaders with global vision and leadership skills.

- Research: To design research topics focused on internet technology, industry, and governance, and organize youth-led studies. Through the WIC working group mechanism, the program channels youth insights into building international consensus and developing international regulations.

What Are the Requirements to Join the GYLP?

1. Understand and align with the mission of the World Internet Conference international organization. Be willing to engage with the concept of a community with a shared future in cyberspace and contribute ideas or perspectives that support this vision.

2. Be under the age of 45.

3. Have notable accomplishments in one or more internet-related or ICT-related fields:

a. In the policy field, they may hold positions in government or international organizations involved in digital governance or internet policymaking.
b. In the business sector, they may serve as senior executives in established internet companies or founders/leaders of innovative startups.
c. In the research field, they may have made contributions to internet-related technologies, industries, or governance through publications, awards, patents, or recognized academic achievements.
d. In the public interest field, they may lead NGOs or social organizations with experience in digital inclusion, technology for public welfare, or promoting digital literacy.

4. Possess an international perspective and be willing to contribute to the growth of WIC’s youth community.

5. Demonstrate interdisciplinary and diverse thinking.

6. Exhibit strong public speaking and presentation skills.

What You'll Gain– A Platform, A Network,A Mission

1. Attend the 2025 WIC Wuzhen Summit.

2. Speak at the Youth Forum during the 2025 WIC Wuzhen Summit.

3. Apply for round-trip airfare and complimentary catering and accommodations provided by the organizers of the Wuzhen Summit.

4. Have the opportunity to engage in in-depth exchanges with high-level representatives of other international organizations, governments, global leading Internet companies, well-known experts and scholars, and senior officials of the WIC international organization during the Wuzhen Summit.

5. Receive an official Global Youth Leader certificate from the WIC.

6. Be invited to future GYLP events and WIC forums and events. 

7. Receive priority access to job opportunities within the WIC international organization.

Join the GYLP– Apply Now!

Ready to shape the future of the internet? The World Internet Conference invites outstanding young professionals worldwide to apply for the GYLP.

Applicants are required to complete their personal information through the online application system, submit the necessary supporting materials, present their views through video on the Global Youth Leaders' Initiative of the World Internet Conference, see the link at: https://www.wicinternet.org/pdf/WICGlobalYouthLeadersInitiative.pdf and provide a corresponding written transcript of their remarks.

Deadline: 17:00 (GMT+8), July 25, 2025

Apply here: https://awards.wicinternet.org/en

Recruitment and Selection Process

Phase I: Application (by July 25)

Complete the online application and upload all required documents before the deadline.

Phase II: Review (by the end of August)

The WIC Secretariat will conduct an initial screening based on eligibility and document completeness. Qualified applicants will be reviewed by an expert panel.

Phase III: Notification (by early September)

Finalists will be contacted and provided with participation details, including the opportunity to speak at the Youth Forum.

Phase IV: Participation (tentatively set for early November)

Selected candidates will join the 2025 WIC Wuzhen Summit as official guests and engage in high-level forums and exchanges.

Need Help? Contact Us!

If you have any questions during the application process, feel free to reach out to us at youth@wicinternet.org or call+86-010-87931725

We warmly welcome your application and invite you to become part of a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking global community of Young Internet Leaders. Let's build a shared future in cyberspace together.