August 12, 2026
International Youth Day Dialogue at the OAS
Washington, D.C. — youth speakers in dialogue with institutional representatives at the Organization of American States.
An IYLC initiative
EMBASSY TALKS
Youth diplomacy, from the other side of the table.
Bringing young people into direct dialogue with diplomats, international institutions, and global leaders.
Explore the dialoguesThe idea
A seat at the table, not a seat in the audience.
Young people are consistently described as the stakeholders of international decisions and just as consistently left out of the rooms where those decisions are discussed. Embassy Talks exists to close that gap.
Each Embassy Talk convenes IYLC members and invited students with diplomats, institutional representatives, and leaders for structured conversation — not a lecture. Youth speakers prepare and present, questions are open, and the outcome is a record of what young people actually asked for.
The initiative is designed to be portable: an Embassy Talk can take place at a mission, an institution, or a partner school, in any country where IYLC has members.
Featured event
International Youth Day Dialogue at the Organization of American States
Washington, D.C. August 12, 2026
Recap
On International Youth Day, IYLC convened young people in Washington, D.C. for a dialogue at the Organization of American States. The session brought student speakers together with institutional representatives to discuss the role of youth in hemispheric cooperation and what meaningful youth participation should look like in practice.
The dialogue was moderated by Samaya Shah, Executive Director of IYLC, with youth speakers Rayan Shah, Aadi Mullan, Saana Jaluria, and Aryav Bhandari. If you attended and would like to contribute materials or a reflection, write to us.
Contribute to the recapDiscussion topics
- Youth participation in international institutions
- Access to healthcare education across the Americas
- Student-led fundraising and cross-border collaboration
- Pathways from local chapters to international dialogue
Who spoke
Moderator
Samaya Shah
Executive Director, IYLCSamaya moderated the full dialogue at the Organization of American States, guiding the conversation between IYLC's youth speakers and institutional representatives.
Youth speakers
Rayan Shah
Youth speaker
Aadi Mullan
Youth speaker
Saana Jaluria
Youth speaker
Aryav Bhandari
Youth speaker
Series
Embassy Talks events.
Featured
March 31, 2026
Embassy Talks: Panama
The first Embassy Talk, opening the initiative's dialogue between IYLC students and diplomatic representatives.
Host or join an Embassy Talk.
Embassies, institutions, and schools interested in hosting a dialogue — and students who want to speak at one — can reach the council directly.