Apply for the Young Leaders Summit 2026
February 2, 2026 • Event Info • 3 min read
Apply for the Young Leaders Summit 2026
February 2, 2026 • Event Info • 3 min read
We’re excited to open applications for the 6th edition of the Young Leaders Summit, taking place in-person at our venue in Lusaka, Zambia on Tuesday, May 5 as part of RightsCon 2026 (May 5–8, Lusaka, Zambia and online).
Are you between the ages of 18 and 30 and interested in the intersection of human rights and technology? Joining the Young Leaders Summit offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers from around the world, exchange ideas, and build new relationships with the next generation of digital rights leaders.
What is the Young Leaders Summit?
The Young Leaders Summit is a one-day, in-person gathering designed to better integrate young people into conversations shaping the future of human rights in the digital age. While young people are often deeply impacted by technology and policy decisions, they remain largely underrepresented in many global decision-making spaces. This summit creates space for young leaders to come together, learn from one another, and carry those conversations into RightsCon 2026 and the future.
What to expect
Throughout the day, participants will hear from prominent youth leaders and innovators across regions and sectors, engage in breakout discussions and hands-on workshops, and build networks within the broader RightsCon community. The agenda will be driven by issues impacting youth, including civic engagement, navigating online harms, sustainable technology use, digital literacy, data protection, among others.
To get a sense of the conversations from last year’s summit, you can read highlights from the Young Leaders Summit at RightsCon 2025.
Who can apply?
To apply for the Young Leaders Summit, please make sure you meet the criteria below:
- You are between the ages of 18 and 30
- You work on, study, or are interested in the intersection of human rights and technology, with a demonstrated track record through your CV, publications, articles, etc.
- You are able to arrange costs related to your travel and stay in Zambia (transportation, accommodation, meals, visa, insurance, etc.)
Our team will partner with a local organization in Zambia to support us in facilitating the summit. We’ll share more information in the coming weeks.
Please note that selected participants will receive complimentary registration for RightsCon 2026, but we are not able to provide travel or accommodation support.
How to apply
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, submit your application by February 28, 2026. Selected participants will be notified ahead of the summit.
We want to make sure the program reflects the concerns and insights of youth. When submitting your application, you will be provided with the opportunity to submit a session proposal to be included in the Young Leaders Summit program.
If you have any questions, reach out to us at [email protected].
Elan Schwartz
Operations & Partnerships Manager
Read the latest from RightsCon
We’re excited to open applications for the 6th edition of the Young Leaders Summit, taking place in-person at our venue in Lusaka, Zambia on Tuesday, May 5 as part of RightsCon 2026 (May 5–8, Lusaka, Zambia and online).
Are you between the ages of 18 and 30 and interested in the intersection of human rights and technology? Joining the Young Leaders Summit offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers from around the world, exchange ideas, and build new relationships with the next generation of digital rights leaders.
What is the Young Leaders Summit?
The Young Leaders Summit is a one-day, in-person gathering designed to better integrate young people into conversations shaping the future of human rights in the digital age. While young people are often deeply impacted by technology and policy decisions, they remain largely underrepresented in many global decision-making spaces. This summit creates space for young leaders to come together, learn from one another, and carry those conversations into RightsCon 2026 and the future.
What to expect
Throughout the day, participants will hear from prominent youth leaders and innovators across regions and sectors, engage in breakout discussions and hands-on workshops, and build networks within the broader RightsCon community. The agenda will be driven by issues impacting youth, including civic engagement, navigating online harms, sustainable technology use, digital literacy, data protection, among others.
To get a sense of the conversations from last year’s summit, you can read highlights from the Young Leaders Summit at RightsCon 2025.
Who can apply?
To apply for the Young Leaders Summit, please make sure you meet the criteria below:
- You are between the ages of 18 and 30
- You work on, study, or are interested in the intersection of human rights and technology, with a demonstrated track record through your CV, publications, articles, etc.
- You are able to arrange costs related to your travel and stay in Zambia (transportation, accommodation, meals, visa, insurance, etc.)
Our team will partner with a local organization in Zambia to support us in facilitating the summit. We’ll share more information in the coming weeks.
Please note that selected participants will receive complimentary registration for RightsCon 2026, but we are not able to provide travel or accommodation support.
How to apply
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, submit your application by February 28, 2026. Selected participants will be notified ahead of the summit.
We want to make sure the program reflects the concerns and insights of youth. When submitting your application, you will be provided with the opportunity to submit a session proposal to be included in the Young Leaders Summit program.
If you have any questions, reach out to us at [email protected].
Elan Schwartz
Operations & Partnerships Manager