Every transformative movement is ignited by a spark of youth. In 2024, the Global Youth Leadership Program (GYLP), launched by the World Internet Conference (WIC), brought together brilliant young minds from across the globe to inspire innovation, foster inclusivity and promote collaboration in the digital age.
The GYLP in 2024 received submissions from nearly 60 countries and regions, as young people shared their stories, ambitions and visions for a brighter digital future. Among them, 18 outstanding individuals from 17 countries were selected, representing a diversity perspectives yet untied by a commitment to shaping the global digital landscape.
Over the course of the year, these young trailblazer participated in forums, training and field research, sharing insights on technology, governance and inclusivity. At the WIC Wuzhen Summit, they introduced the Global Youth Leaders Initiative, calling for greater youth involvement in internet governance.
As 2025 unfolds, the journey of these exceptional youth leaders continues, with their ideas undoubtedly set to shape the future of the digital world.
The World Internet Conference (WIC) was established as an international organization on July 12, 2022, headquartered in Beijing, China. It was jointly initiated by Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA), National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China (CNCERT), China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), Alibaba Group, Tencent, and Zhijiang Lab.