Science Summit Youth Parliament
Young Voices Shaping the Future of Science
The Youth Parliament at the Science Summit is a global initiative designed to empower young people to meaningfully shape science policy, career development pathways, and program design for the next generation.
The Youth Parliament centers on one enduring mission: How can we better support young people in navigating and advancing careers in science and global problem-solving?
Rather than serving as a discussion forum alone, the Youth Parliament operates as a structured, research-driven initiative.
Delegates lead data-informed projects that identify where youth need support and translate those findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Applications for the 2026 Science Summit Youth Programme are now closed.
We thank all applicants for their interest and valuable submissions.
Delegates work within one of four thematic areas:
● One Health
● Technology
● Environmental Science
● Financing and Regulating Science
Within these areas, participants:
● Identify systemic barriers youth face in entering or progressing within these fields
● Gather data through surveys, interviews, and program analysis
● Examine gaps in mentorship, funding access, education pathways, and regulatory systems
● Develop clear, evidence-based policy recommendations
The Youth Parliament is designed to ensure that youth are not only present in policy conversations, but actively informing how programs are structured for them.
The Science Summit Youth Parliament will now take place fully online on September 18, 2026.
Following the strong international response to the programme, we have decided to move to a virtual format to facilitate participation from across our global youth community.
We apologise for this change from the previously announced in-person format and appreciate your understanding.
Youth Parliament Participation and Roles
This year, the Science Summit Youth Parliament introduces a new participation model designed to combine focused parliamentary deliberation with broader youth engagement. Participants will take part through two complementary roles: Youth Parliamentarians and Youth Parliament Contributors.
Youth Parliamentarians – The core members of the Youth Parliament, selected through the global application process. Each committee includes 12 Parliamentarians, including a Youth Chair and Vice-Chair. They will propose priorities, debate and refine ideas, consider wider youth perspectives, and vote on the final recommendations to be brought forward to the Science Summit.
Youth Parliament Contributors – Members of the wider Youth Programme community who can choose a committee, submit a proposal, attend the live virtual session, and contribute questions and perspectives. Their input may be brought into the debate for consideration by the Parliamentarians.
Final Deliverables
The Science Summit Youth Parliament will produce a set of youth-led recommendations developed through the four thematic committees.
The final outputs will include:
- Three key recommendations from each thematic committee, debated and adopted by the Youth Parliamentarians;
- A written publication bringing together the Youth Parliament’s priorities, discussions and final recommendations;
- Action-oriented recommendations identifying key challenges, proposed actions and the actors best placed to take them forward; and
- A presentation of the Youth Parliament’s key outcomes and recommendations at the Science Summit.
The final publication will serve as an official output of the Youth Parliament and a resource for policymakers, scientific institutions, international organisations and other stakeholders interested in incorporating youth perspectives into science, policy and decision-making.
The Youth Parliament will move beyond identifying challenges to proposing concrete, youth-led recommendations for action.
Submit your Proposal for the Science Summit 2026 Youth Parliament