World Youth Leadership Forum

World Youth Leadership Forum

Next Generation Social Chess

Program Description

The World Youth Leadership Forum – Next Generation Social Chess is an intensive, two-day program designed to cultivate leadership skills, foster innovation, and inspire young minds to become promoters of social chess programs around the World. 

The Forum will be held on August 11 – 13, 2026 and will bring together aspiring young leaders from diverse backgrounds to engage in dynamic discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities to promote social chess programs such as Chess for Freedom, Chess for Seniors, Chess for Hope, Chess for Protection, and Chess for Recovery. Participants will share their personal involvement on projects within their communities and beyond.

Program Objectives

The World Youth Leadership Forum – Next Generation Social Chess aims to empower young chess leaders by fostering innovation, encouraging cross-cultural collaboration, and equipping participants with practical skills to implement social chess projects.  

Through dialogue, learning, and action, the forum seeks to inspire a new generation of changemakers committed to creating a better future by fostering chess in society and education.

Promote Youth & Civic Activism:

Empower young people to participate in civic life, advocate for social change, and engage in meaningful activism within their communities and beyond through chess.

Enhance Capacity Building:

Strengthen the skills, knowledge, and abilities of young participants in areas such as chess activists, project management, advocacy, policy development, and community organizing.

Foster Social Innovation:

Inspire and support young chess leaders in developing innovative solutions to pressing social issues, encouraging entrepreneurial approaches to community challenges.

Cultivate Global Collaboration:

Facilitate connections and partnerships among young chess activists and organizations worldwide to foster a collaborative environment for addressing shared global challenges.

Inspire Sustainable Action:

Motivate participants to initiate and sustain impactful chess projects and movements that contribute to long-term positive change in their respective fields and communities.

2026 World Youth Leadership Forum

Application and Registration

Welcome to our 2026 World Youth Leadership Forum!  We are excited to start your registration as an attendee or your application to be considered as a presenter of your project designed to foster chess in society and education.

 

Please note that the deadline for both registration to attend or application to present is Friday, June 12, 2026. In addition:

Attendee Registration

Applications to Present (must include Attendee Registration Information in addition to):

Instructions

Registration & Application Information

Please be as complete as possible in providing your information in this section. Parent or Guardian information (if under 18 years old ) should match what you provide in other parts of the application to ensure our ability to communicate with parents and guardians throughout the process.

Letter of Recommendation (Required for ALL Applications to Present)

At least ONE Letter of Recommendation from a mentor or advocate of your project is required; you may submit up to 3 Letters of Recommendation. Please also provide the name and email address of each recommender so we can follow up with additional questions if necessary.

Parent/Guardian Confirmation Emails

A Parent/Guardian Confirmation email will be sent to the parent or guardian on file for all applicants under the age of 18 years old. A registration or application is not considered complete until we receive the completed Parent/Guardian Confirmation. We will not review nor accept any registrations or applications until we receive a response from your parent or guardian for any attendees or applicants under the age of 18.

*All registrations and applications to present must include, full name, address, phone number, email address, and age in 2026

Volunteer & Support Our Mission

Become part of the International Social Chess Foundation and help shape future leaders by advancing education, opportunity, and global impact through chess.