For too long, young people have been sidelined from the decisions that shape their lives. The UK Government's National Youth Strategy could mark a turning point - putting young people back in the driving seat and recognising them as partners in change.
One Young World is hosting a high-impact, half-day conference that brings together young leaders, policymakers, and funders to explore how the Strategy is being delivered in practice, with the voices of young people at the centre.
Through panels and discussions spanning mental health, employment, local leadership and funding, we will examine what’s working, confront what isn’t, and collaborate on turning national ambition into meaningful, lived impact for young people across the UK.
This event hopes to cultivate honest conversation, sharing learning, and collective action, ensuring that the National Youth Strategy delivers for all young people.
Agenda Overview
Welcome keynotes from:
Kate Robertson, Co-Founder and CEO of One Young World
Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy
Kate Robertson
Mete Coban MBE
Mete Coban MBE
Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy and One Young World Ambassador
Home Nations - How the National Youth Strategy Lands in Practice
Young leaders from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland explore how opportunity is shaped by place. This panel will examine regional disparities in access to services and support, highlight local solutions, and consider what national decision-makers can learn to ensure the National Youth Strategy works for all young people, wherever they live.
Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE
John Loughton BEM
Najma Hashi
Najma Hashi
International Programme Advisor, Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Stephen McCrystall
Hayden Taylor
Youth Wellbeing: What Young Leaders are Seeing Now
Responding to the National Youth Strategy’s focus on wellbeing, this panel explores the mental health challenges young people are seeing in their communities. Speakers will discuss rising pressures, social isolation, and unmet needs, and examine what effective, youth-led support looks like and what must change to make wellbeing a lived reality for young people across the UK.
Spoken Word Performance
Sam Browne is a spoken word poet from Southend, Essex, who originally set out to be a stand-up comedian until he realised all his jokes rhymed and none of them were particularly funny. So he pivoted to poetry, and things started to click. Since then, Sam has developed an online following of over 100,000 followers across all platforms and tens of millions of views. At just the age of 21 Sam Browne is helping reshape the way young men think about masculinity and feminism one poem at a time.
Education, Work, and Opportunity: Shaping Fair Pathways for Young People
This panel explores how education, work, and technology shape young people’s pathways into adulthood. Speakers will discuss how universities, employers, and communities can support leadership, skills development, and social mobility, while addressing the risks of inequality. The discussion will focus on building skills, confidence, and long-term security, and on how partnerships can create fair, future-ready opportunities.
Professor Julian Chaudhuri
Professor Julian Chaudhuri
Professor of Biochemical & Biomedical Engineering and the Pro-Vice- Chancellor (Education), University of Bath
Sophie Pender
Saeed Atcha
Rossita Maclean
Amani Simpson
Investing in Young Leaders: What Works and What Lasts
Aligned with the Strategy’s focus on collaboration and long-term impact, this panel explores how institutions, funders and partners can support young leaders in ways that are strategic, sustainable, and empowering. Speakers will discuss what works, how to move beyond short-term approaches, and how centering young people’s priorities can help nurture the next generation of leaders across the UK.
Gary Shaughnessy CBE
Eli Mandelson Evans
Zamzam Ibrahim
Jacob Ellis
Jacob Ellis
Director for External Relations and Culture at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Kayleigh Wainwright
Kayleigh Wainwright
Head of Youth Strategy Engagement, Department for Culture, Media and Sport