2026 WIC Global Youth Leaders application is open now

About Us

The World Internet Conference (WIC)

Since 2014, the WC Wuzhen Summit has been successfully held for twelve consecutive years. Each year, the Wuzhen Summit brings together more than 1,000 high-level representatives from government departments, international organizations, leading internet companies, industry associations, and academic institutions worldwide to engage in dialogues on topics related to global internet development and governance. The Wuzhen Summit has become a major international annual event for exchanges and cooperation in cyberspace, developing into a high-end global platform promoting shared benefits and joint internet governance, as well as collaboration in the digital economy.

In July 2022, the WIC was formally established as an international organization, headquartered in Beijing, China. This organization is committed to building a global platform for extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits of the internet. It aims to promote international cooperation in response to the trends of digitalization, networking, and intelligent transformation in the information age, jointly address security challenges, and benefit people globally, contributing to 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 launched by the WIC in 2023. Over the past three years, 56 Global Youth Leaders from 38 countries and regions have been invited to attend the Youth Forum at the Wuzhen Summit, engaging in in-depth exchanges with leading figures across the global internet community. In 2025, the program attracted outstanding young applicants from nearly 120 countries and regions, receiving widespread attention and recognition.

The program aims to select outstanding young people in the global Internet field on a regular basis, closely follow the frontier trends of Internet technology, industry and governance, carry out a series of youth activities around Forum, Training, and Research, and build an international exchange and cooperation platform for young people to learn from each other.

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 You'll Gain—A Platform, More Support

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

2. Attend the 2026 WIC Wuzhen Summit and speak at the Youth Forum. Round-trip airfare, complimentary catering and accommodations are available upon application. You will 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.

3. Gain opportunities to organize workshops or activities at other WIC summits and thematic and regional forums.

4. Youth-led forums and activities initiated by Global Youth Leaders aligned with the WIC Global Youth Leaders Initiative will be eligible for inclusion in the program and may receive support from the WIC Secretariat. Outstanding outcomes may be featured in the program's Collection of Practical Outcomes.

5. Receive priority access to internship and job opportunities within the WIC international organization.

6. Outstanding candidates advanced to the final review but not ultimately selected will receive a Nominee Certificate of the WIC Global Youth Leadership Program and be invited to join the WIC's youth community, where they can participate in discussions, contribute ideas to conference activities, and enjoy priority access to WIC internship opportunities.

What Are the Requirements to Join the GYLP?

1. Embrace the mission of the WIC international organization. Be willing to engage with the vision of building 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:

In the policy field, they may hold positions in government or international organizations involved in digital governance or internet policymaking.

In the business sector, they may serve as senior executives in established internet companies or founders/leaders of innovative startups, with strong leadership, innovation, and influence.

In the research field, they may have made contributions to artificial intelligence, big data, and other internet-related technologies, industries, or governance through publications, awards, patents, or recognized academic achievements.

In the public interest field, they may lead NGOs or social organizations with expertise in digital inclusion, digital literacy, or the application of technology for public welfare and sustainable development.

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.

Join the GYLP

– Apply Now!

Ready to shape the future of the internet? Complete your personal information and submit the following materials through the online system:

A recommendation letter from a relevant institution or recognized professional.

Supporting documents such as research achievements or awards.

An introduction video presenting your views on the WIC Global Youth Leaders Initiative (https://www.wicinternet.org/pdf/WorldInternetConferenceGlobalYouthLeaderInitiatives.pdf)  and outlining proposed activities or projects, along with a written transcript.

Deadline: 

17:00 (GMT+8), July 24, 2026

Apply here: 

https://awards.wicinternet.org/en 

Recruitment and Selection Process

Phase I: Application (by July 24)

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 the end of September)

Selected candidates will be contacted regarding participation in the 2026 WIC Wuzhen Summit and speaking arrangements for the Youth Forum.

Phase IV: Participation (tentatively set for early November)

Selected candidates will join the 2026 WIC Wuzhen Summit as official guests.

Need Help? 

Contact Us!

If you have any questions during the application process, feel free to contact us:

Email:

youth@wicinternet.org;
wicgylp@huanqiu.com

Tel: 

+86-010-87931729
+86-010-87931724

We warmly welcome your application and invite you to become part of a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking global youth community.