Frequently Asked Questions

Youth Leaders Davos FAQs

  • Youth Leaders Davos (YLD) is a transformative leadership program designed for ambitious youth aged 17 -2. It offers a blend of personal growth, leadership training, and global engagement through a unique five-phase framework (SPROUT, LOTUS, MUD, BLOOM, SPLASH).

  • YLD participants will attend WEF Open Forum, which is one of the special tracks designed to engage a broader audience, and concurrent conferences. The highlights are that we will lead our own events such Youth Leader Forum, Candid Conversations, and pop-up Youth Reporter Studio.

    There will be spontaneous media exposure and inspirational opportunities. Please see Detailed Program Schedule for expertly curated engagements.

    YLD participants will not be entering World Economic Forum itself due to membership quota, age limit, strict security, and cost. In 2024, there were 3,000 top-level delegates from 125 countries and corporations. Cost per person is about USD 50,000 - 100,000.

    In 2025, over 60 heads of states are expect to attend WEF, thus increasing program caliber, costs, and road traffic.

  • Youth Leader Davos will take place over 7 days in Davos, Switzerland, coinciding with the World Economic Forum (WEF). The dates are from January 18-25, 2025.

    Participants will be staying at accommodation with communal living and 20-bed shared room.

    It is extremely convenient that the accommodation is only 300 m from Migros Restaurant and 1 km walking distance from main Promenade.

  • Current YLD participants are aged 14 - 20 from all over the world. Ranging from international schools in China, boarding schools in USA, and top tier schools such as Yale and UCL, London. They are Rising Generation from families of influence in commerce, government, academics, and sciences.

    They are distinguished not only by excellence but also by their commitment to leadership, innovation, and social responsibility. With a global perspective, they are poised to shape the future across multiple domains.

  • Participants will gain leadership skills, access to global networks, a personalised growth plan, and a unique experience that will set them apart in academic and professional pursuits.

    YLD innovative leadership training, problem-solving workshops, networking with global changemakers, and hands-on experiences will build confidence, creativity, and resilience.

  • Get to know yourself

    YLD offers you state-of-the-art tools for you to be present with yourself to gain clarity of what drives and blocks from you what you want ‘be when you grow up’.

    Create leverage for college, career and passion

    YLD designs activities for you to effectively prepare, choose, and embark on the journey of college, employment, and other interests.

    Gain leadership insight

    YLD curates global changemakers to offer inspiration and advice on how you can craft your own journey of leadership, meaning, and passion more effectively.

    Build international exposure and voice for the youth

    YLD brings together an interesting group of youth leaders to help you make a bigger voice for yourselves as the next generation.

    Have fun & build grit

    YLD facilitates engaging experiences that will be filled with surprises for you to remember for the rest of your life.

    Enjoy parent-child relationship

    YLD offers select modules for a parent and child (age 12 to 14) to be jointly exposed to one of the world’s most powerful forums.  This experience will improve your family communication.

  • Youth Leaders Davos offers participants a chance to build a personal portfolio that highlights their leadership experiences, problem-solving skills, and global awareness, which are valuable for college and career applications.

  • The program is structured into five phases:

    SPROUT (Being): Feel your presence.

    LOTUS (Awareness): Discover your inner strengths.

    MUD (Challenges): Identify challenges and weaknesses.

    BLOOM (Ignite): Explore opportunities for growth.

    SPLASH (Action): Take action to lead change.

  • The topics of Youth Leaders Davos include critical themes identified by WEF as well as by McKinsey’s Young Global Leaders 2025. They are “ACE”:

    • AI Science & Medicine in Humanity

    • Close the Gap — Gender & Planetary

    • Economic resilience & Geopolitics

Application & Pre- Post-Program

  • The program is open to young leaders aged 17 - 22 who are motivated to develop their leadership skills, innovation approach, and global perspective. Applicants should demonstrate Global Shaper potential and a commitment to their communities.

  • To apply, fill out the Application Form on our website. Once submitted, our team will contact you for an interview to assess your eligibility.

  • Here are the steps and time line once a YLD Application Form is submitted. This timeline may shorten or extend by a weed depending on situation.

    By Day 3: If pass, YLD sends short list interview email.

    By Day 8: Interviewer arranges and interviews directly by visual Zoom.

    By Day 12: If pass, YLD sends Welcome letter and invoice.

    By Day 15: Applicant is expected to confirm participation and settle payment.

  • YLD participants will receive a Welcome Kit which includes logistic forms, basic homework, Orientation Webinar (1 - 2 weeks beforehand) with agenda:

    1. Discuss goals and concerns
    2. Know self better through a self-assessment tool
    3. Research on major topics of interests
    4. Get to know each other
    5. Prepare CV and/or LinkedIn
    6. Answer questions

  • The post-program activities include

    • Webinar to close "Splash” phase

    • Platform for each participant to share own media kit, etc

    • Coaching session (1 hour one-on-one virtual or in-person)

    • Advisory service to continue growth journey, academically, career, etc (at cost)

    • Membership to future Youth Leaders programs

Program Cost & Payment FAQs

  • Advise upon Application.

    Payment Terms

    • Full payment by January 10, 2025.

    • No refund for cancellation or any program parts. 

    • Replacement participant allowed upon interview.

  • The cost covers accommodation, meals, local transportation, access to scheduled events and activities, and program materials, for the duration of the program. Starting from pick-up at Zurich Airport on January 18, 2025. Ending at drop-off at Zurich Airport on January 25, 2025.

    The cost does not include personal expenses and travel to and from Switzerland.

    Accommodation is at Zentrum Haus Davos

    Check-in Jan 18. Check-out Jan 25.
    Walk to events on Promenade, Davos (16 min, 1 km) and Migros Restaurant (5 min, 300 m).

    All participants will be staying in a large room with 20 beds, offering a communal experience. Separate shared toilet facilities are on the same floor.

    • Size of shared room:  120 sqm (1,300 sqft)

    • 24-hour tea/coffee/cold food self-serve buffet

  • If financial assistance is required, please apply for Scholar Program within Application Form.

    The Scholar Program offers financial assistance and internship programs that range from Student Facilitator to Photo/videographer. Spaces limited.

  • There is a 10% discount for the second participant, when you pay by December 1, 2024.

Travel & Safety FAQs

  • Participants should bring personal clothing suitable for winter weather, a laptop or tablet for workshops, any necessary personal items, and a positive attitude. A detailed packing list will be provided to accepted participants.

  • Participants are responsible for arranging their flights to and from Zurich Airport. The program covers all in-country transportation, including pick-up and drop-off at the airport.

  • All international commercial airlines offer Unaccompanied Minor Service. For example, Singapore Airlines charges USD50 per passenger per segment. IF Unaccompanied Minor Service is not required for a passenger that is age 12 - 18, then the parent must submit a Waiver Form upon check-in.

  • YLD has a dedicated operational team based in Switzerland who will ensure the health and safety of all participants. 

  • As part of registration, YLD requires each participant to arrange medical and travel insurance to cover any accidents. 

  • What is the Code of Conduct for every participant?

    Each participant will sign a Code of Conduct agreeing not to intake alcohol, smoking, or recreational drugs.

  • By registering for Youth Leaders Davos (ie make payment), you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Terms & Condition.

    The YLD Terms & Condition is listed on our website https://www.youthleadersdavos.com/terms-conditions

Other

  • YLD offers a very limited number of space for a parent and child (age 12 to 14) to be jointly exposed to select modules.

  • For more information, please reach out to our team through the contact form on our website or via email at youthleadersdavos@gmail.com .

    We’re happy to answer any questions and provide additional details about the program.

  • Please subscribe to our newsletter on the website to receive updates about upcoming events, news, and opportunities with Youth Leaders Davos.

  • If you wish to stay at Zentrum Haus where the participants are staying, please contact directly for availability.  For reference of additional cost for WEF week 2025:

    • CHF 10,000 for 2-bed room with shared bathroom.

    • CHF 13,000 for 2-bed room with private bathroom.

Push your boundaries with grit & reach the highest levels of leadership and personal development.