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.
Home Nations - How the National Youth Strategy Lands in Practice
Young leaders from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland explore how the Strategy recognises that opportunity is shaped by place, and how this reality plays out across different communities and nations.
Exploring disparities in access to services, safe spaces, and support networks depending on region, panelists consider what this means for young people’s ability to thrive. Speakers will highlight the challenges young people face, the solutions that are emerging locally, and reflect on what national decision-makers can learn from place-based approaches to ensure the Strategy works for all young people, wherever they live.
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 Strategy’s focus on wellbeing, this panel explores what young people are seeing and experiencing in their communities as mental health pressures among young people continue to rise.
Discussing the realities of social isolation and unmet needs, panelists will discuss what effective, youth-led mental health support can look like - from early intervention and community-based provision, to trusted relationships and culturally relevant services. They will reflect on what must change at a system level to ensure wellbeing is not just a policy priority, but a lived reality for young people across the UK."
"Education, Work, and Opportunity: Shaping Fair Pathways for Young
People This panel explores how education, work, and technology together shape young people’s pathways into adulthood, recognising that universities are one of several routes into opportunity. Speakers will examine how higher education, alongside employers and communities, can support youth leadership, skills development, and social mobility through mentoring, networks, and inclusive leadership experiences.
The discussion will also consider how rapid economic, social, and technological change is creating new opportunities for innovation and participation, while risking widening inequality for those without access to the right support, resources, or networks. With a focus on building skills, confidence, and long-term security, the panel will explore how policymakers, universities, employers, funders, and communities can work in partnership with young people to deliver fair, future-ready outcomes for the next generation."
Professor Julian Chaudhuri
Professor Julian Chaudhuri
Professor of Biochemical & Biomedical Engineering and the Pro-Vice- Chancellor (Education), University of Bath
Saeed Atcha
Sophie Pender
Rossita Maclean
Amani Simpson
"Investing in Young Leaders: What Works and What Lasts
Aligned with the Strategy’s emphasis on collaboration and long-term thinking, this panel explores how institutions, funders, and partners can invest in young people in ways that are strategic, sustainable, and genuinely empowering. The discussion will look beyond short-term funding cycles to consider how long-term commitment, trust, and shared responsibility can support young people to lead and thrive.
Speakers will examine how centring young people’s priorities, supporting leadership development, and responding to emerging challenges can create lasting impact, ensuring opportunities and resources reach those who need them most and helping to equip the next generation of leaders across the UK."
Gary Shaughnessy CBE
Eli Mandelson Evans
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
Zamzam Ibrahim
