The International Solidarity Forum (ISF) is an annual training event hosted at theWorld Youth Alliance and United Nations headquarters in New York City. The forum brings together WYA members from around the world and subject matter experts to participate in lectures and discussions on topics relevant to ongoing international policy debates. Previous themes include Sustainable Development, Maternal Health, HIV/AIDs and Good Governance.

Delegate application is now closed. Please email isf@wya.net with any questions you may have.

Who can participate in this event?

The ISF is open to all active and certified WYA members. Applicants who have good recommendations from their regional office have increased chances of being accepted.

How do I become a WYA Member?

WYA Members are young people between the ages of 10 and 30 who sign the WYA Charter. Visit www.wya.net/charter to sign the WYA Charter.

What is the Certified Training Program and how do I enroll?

The CTP trains WYA members in the core principles that form the mission of WYA. It discusses key concepts related to Human Dignity including freedom, solidarity, and culture, among many others. WYA members can enroll in the program for free. Each of the 6 WYA regions conducts three batches of online trainings every year. To enroll, visit www.wya.net/ctp

When will I be notified of the application decision?

Accepted applicants for phase two will be notified of the application decision three to four weeks after they have submitted their online application form.

Will WYA provide accommodations for participants?

WYA does not provide accommodations for participants. Participants must arrange their own accommodations. However, to address accommodation concerns of our delegates, we have compiled a list of hotels and hostels in close proximity to the UN and the WYA office.

What kind of visa will I need?

The most appropriate type of conference visa would be a B1/B2 Visitor for Business visa. WYA will issue acceptance and visa letters to support your visa application.

ISF 2016 | Population and Environment

March 7-10, 2016 | New York City, New York | Webpage
Declaration negotiated by participants: Declaration on Population and Environment
Facebook photo album

ISF 2015 | Health and Education: Keys to Development

March 31-April 4, 2015 | New York City, New York | Webpage
Declaration negotiated by participants: Declaration on Health and Education
Facebook photo album

ISF 2014 | The Family: Backbone of Development

March 31-April 4, 2015 | New York City, New York | Webpage
Declaration negotiated by participants: Declaration on Family and Economic Development
Facebook photo album

ISF 2013 | Health and Sustainable Development

April 15-18, 2013 | New York City, New York | Webpage
Declaration negotiated by participants: Declaration on Health and Sustainable Development
Blogpost: “ISF: A Participant’s Recap” by Anabelle Basterrechea
Blogpost: “Heated Discussion on Sustainable Development on the ISF”
Facebook photo album

ISF 2012 | Sustainable Development: The Priority of Persons

Event details: April 16-19, 2012 | New York City, New York | Webpage
Declaration negotiated by participants: Declaration on Sustainable Development
Blogpost: “ISF: Experience from Delegates” by Paula Bitange
Blogpost: “ISF: Experience from Delegates” by a member from Nairobi, Kenya
Facebook Photo Album

ISF 2011 | Population & Economics: Investing in the Human Person

Event details: March 21 – 24, 2011 | New York City, New York | Webpage
Declaration negotiated by participants: Declaration on Population and Economics

ISF 2010: Maternal Health

March 21-24, 2010 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Declaration on Maternal Health

ISF 2009: Dignity and the Human Person: Foundations of a Rights System

March 22-25, 2009 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Declaration on the Philosophy of Human Rights
Listen to the talks:

Human Dignity as a Foundation for Human Rights

Dr. Paolo Carozza, Notre Dame Law School

Human Rights and the UN

Ambassador Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN

The Relational Basis of Human Solidarity: Why Humanitarian Duties Are Not Enough

Dr. David Thunder, Princeton University

Drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Dr. Habib Malik, Lebanese American University

ISF 2008: Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Human Person

March 26-29, 2008 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Statement on the Uses of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Listen to the talks:

The Science of Assisted Human Reproduction

Nigel Cameron, 26th March 2008

New Eugenics: PDG and Beyond

Nigel Cameron, 26th March 2008

Would you want to be an Embryo in 2008? 

Margaret Somerville, 27th March 2008 

(Speech Unavailable)

The Right to a Child and ART

William Hurlbut, 28th March 2008

The International Human Market

William Hurlbut, 28th March 2008

ART and Feminism

Therese Jacob-Hargot, 29th March 2008

ISF 2007: Population and Development

April 10-14, 2007 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Declaration on Development

ISF 2006: Good Governance

March 27-30, 2006 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Declaration on Good Governance

ISF 2004: Women and Development

November 15-20, 2004 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Declaration on Women

ISF 2003: HIV/AIDS

November 12-15, 2003 | New York City, New York
Outcome document: Declaration on HIV/AIDS