The U.S. Embassy Colombo concluded its Youth Forum Leadership Summit 2024, an event that united 120 young leaders, change-makers and visionaries from across the region to facilitate dialogue on global challenges, foster a spirit of entrepreneurship and social responsibility, and promote inclusivity in society. The summit, a dynamic event designed to empower the next generation of South Asian leaders, welcomed youth from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan alongside participants from Sri Lanka’s five American Spaces in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Matara, and Batticaloa.
Speaking to participants after the summit on March 7, U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung highlighted the importance of using their energy for positive change in their communities, noting: “This week has been a journey! From diving into diverse cultures to shaking up the status quo, you’ve shown that ‘doing something is better than doing nothing.’ The United States is proud to nurture such talent and invest in the leaders of tomorrow across the region. I’m eagerly anticipating the incredible impacts you’ll bring to your communities and beyond. A huge shoutout to all the speakers, mentors, and facilitators for making the Youth Forum Leadership Summit a success!”
On March 4, the keynote address was delivered by Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Group CEO of Hemas, who discussed her personal journey and embracing every challenge or failure as an opportunity. On March 5, “Embassy Day,” participants visited the U.S. Embassy and engaged with staff during mock visa interviews, self-defense sessions, and project management exercises. Throughout the week, the summit provided a platform for young leaders to present their innovative ideas and showcased a series of interactive sessions designed to hone critical leadership skills. From engaging discussions on public speaking, entrepreneurship, AI technology, and team management to workshops on embracing diversity, problem-solving and ethical leadership, the participants were equipped with the tools necessary for driving positive change within their communities and be successful in the modern world. The summit culminated in a service-learning project at Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya in Colombo 14, where participants led an initiative to uplift the school’s library, science and music rooms, and planted an edible garden.
Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, this year’s summit also welcomed hearing-impaired Youth Forum members from Batticaloa and featured comprehensive sign language interpretation to ensure everyone’s full participation. Speaking through sign language interpretation, Jafry Hathim took the stage to express his thanks for the sessions on AI, self-defence, and cross-cultural communication: “This experience will bring me a great opportunity to go forward in in my life as a great youth leader.”
Finally, from Nepal, summit participant Sairus Sharma said, “As we reflect on our time together, we’ve realized something unique, something profound – despite our differences in cultures and backgrounds, we share a common thread that unites us beyond the man-made borders…Let’s continue to work together towards a brighter future for all, keeping in mind that South Asia’s collective efforts have the power to make a real different in the world.”
