What is the Global Youth Summit - GYS?

The Global Youth Summit is the name for UIAA youth events which promote peace and cooperation between countries and protection of the environment.

Learn here about the exciting 2009 activities youth from around the world took part in. Go here for the 2010 calendar of events.

If your member federation is organising a youth event such as a climbing camp or an ascent of a mountain, a trek or an environmental event, you can be part of the Global Youth Summit! We encourage you to include certain themes and aims in the event programme, such as crag development, local ethics and traditions, improving individual performance, environmental awareness and climbing for peace.  

The UIAA does not set restrictions for the events such as age limits or what kind of activities Federations should organise. However we have criteria and recommendations which organisers are expected to follow. The events should be open to youth from other countries, giving young people the opportunity to form friendships across borders. 

The events can be at any time of the year, but if you like you can organise an activity around key dates such as the United Nations World Environment Day (June 5) or the United Nations International Mountain Day (December 11).  

You as local, regional or national organisers are responsible for the safety and practical arrangements of the event, but experts in the Youth Commission can give you advice on good practice. The UIAA will help you promote the event through our website and include it in our calendar.

How to be part of the Global Youth Summit? 

If you would like to have your event included in the Global Youth Summit, you can also find useful information in the Help for event organisers. Then submit your programme and event application form. We will try to make sure that your event is not at the same time as a similar one on the same continent. We will then announce it on our website calendar. After the event you must write an article for the UIAA website and fill out an event report form.

Torches for peace

As the flame in Beijing was extinguished on August 24, 2008 hundreds of young climbers from around the world lit torches on mountaintops to keep Olympic values alive. Here are the pictures sent to us from UIAA member federations who organised events on this day.