MYDF

Five-day youth diplomacy simulation

40°44′54″N 73°59′09″W

Muslim Youth Diplomacy ForumMUSLIMYOUTHDIPLOMACYFORUM

Applications openApply to the forum→
  • Read
  • Think
  • Debate
  • Lead

New York City/22–26 NOV 2026

000
Days
00
Hrs
00
Min
00
Sec
01 — The Forum

Mission

To empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand and engage with global affairs through diplomacy.

Vision

To cultivate a new generation of informed, responsible, and globally engaged Muslim youth who can contribute constructively to international dialogue and their communities.

02 — Why MYDF

FromObserversToParticipants

Over five days, delegates will

  • 01Represent different perspectives and countries
  • 02Research complex international issues
  • 03Prepare policy positions
  • 04Deliver diplomatic speeches
  • 05Negotiate with other delegates
  • 06Form coalitions and alliances
  • 07Draft and amend resolutions
  • 08Respond to changing developments
  • 09Practice conflict resolution and compromise
03 — Committees

Three rooms.
Three agendas.

Each delegate is assigned to one committee and one position, and argues it for five days.

COM/01Palestine Committee

Addressing Humanitarian Aid Access and the Protection of Palestinians Under Occupation

The committee examines the humanitarian and political challenges surrounding access to essential assistance and the protection of civilians in situations of occupation and armed conflict.

  • How can humanitarian assistance reach civilians safely and effectively?
  • What mechanisms can strengthen the protection of civilians?
  • How can the international community improve humanitarian coordination?
  • What diplomatic mechanisms can support compliance with international humanitarian law?
  • How can humanitarian organizations operate effectively amid political and security constraints?

Delegates will be expected to balance humanitarian priorities with the political, legal, and operational realities faced by international actors.

COM/02Socio-Economic Committee

Combating Islamophobia: Addressing the Social and Economic Consequences of Discrimination Based on Religion

This committee explores the social and economic consequences of discrimination against Muslims and examines policy approaches to combating Islamophobia.

  • Discrimination in education and employment
  • Barriers to economic participation
  • Social exclusion and community cohesion
  • Hate speech and discrimination
  • The role of governments and international organizations
  • Education and awareness initiatives
  • Policies promoting equal opportunity
  • Discrimination, social mobility, and economic outcomes

The committee encourages delegates to develop practical, evidence-based and internationally applicable policy solutions.

COM/03Media Committee

Addressing the Impacts of Social Media: Combating Disinformation and Protecting the Digital Well-Being of Youth

The Media Committee examines how social media shapes the way young people understand international affairs, and how misinformation, polarization, and harmful online content affect youth.

  • The spread of misinformation and disinformation
  • Social media and international conflicts
  • Algorithmic amplification and polarization
  • Media literacy among young people
  • Responsible journalism and digital communication
  • Freedom of expression and online safety
  • The effects of excessive social media use
  • The responsibilities of technology companies and governments

The committee seeks solutions that balance digital freedom, responsible information sharing, and the well-being of young people.

04 — Objectives
01

Develop Diplomatic Skills

Negotiation, public speaking, position drafting and caucus strategy — practised under pressure rather than described in a lecture.

02

Increase Global Awareness

Move past the headlines into the mechanics of how international decisions are actually made, and by whom.

03

Encourage Critical Thinking

Hold a position you did not choose, defend it honestly, and find out where it breaks.

04

Promote Constructive Dialogue

Disagreement is the raw material of diplomacy. The forum teaches delegates to work with it rather than around it.

05

Strengthen Youth Leadership

Chairing, coalition-building and representing a room full of competing interests — leadership as a practised craft.

06

Build a Global Network

Five days in the same committee room produce the kind of connections that outlast the forum itself.

07

Turn Awareness into Action

Delegates leave with a resolution they wrote, a network they built, and a clearer sense of what to do next.

05 — Reach

One city. Every direction.

MYDF convenes delegates from across the United States and beyond, in the city where the world's disagreements are argued out in public.

  • Istanbul
  • Cairo
  • Jakarta
  • Lagos
  • London
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Sarajevo
  • Islamabad
  • New York City
06 — Programme

Five days

Draft Programme

Draft — sessions subject to confirmation

  1. Day 01

    Sun 22 Nov

    Arrival and Opening Ceremony

    • 01Registration and accreditation
    • 02Opening ceremony
    • 03Delegate briefing

  2. Day 02

    Mon 23 Nov

    Committees Convene

    • 01First committee session
    • 02Opening speeches
    • 03Moderated caucus

  3. Day 03

    Tue 24 Nov

    Negotiation and Workshops

    • 01Working papers
    • 02Diplomacy and media workshops
    • 03Unmoderated caucus

  4. Day 04

    Wed 25 Nov

    Resolutions and Engagements

    • 01Draft resolutions
    • 02Cultural and diplomatic engagements
    • 03Voting procedure

  5. Day 05

    Thu 26 Nov

    Closing Ceremony

    • 01Final session
    • 02Awards and recognition
    • 03Closing ceremony
07 — Participation

Who the forum is for

Application criteria are provisional and will be confirmed when applications open.

Committees
3
Duration
5 days
Language
English
Start application →

Takes about 10 minutes

High school and university students with a demonstrated interest in international relations, diplomacy, media, or the challenges facing Muslim communities worldwide. No prior simulation experience is required.

08 — Organisers

Education · Humanitarian · Heritage

Aspire Foundation

The Aspire Foundation believes in the transformative power of bridge-building to create a better world. Compassion is born where there is understanding, so all our programs are tailored to foster empathy, understanding and learning. Our educational, humanitarian and heritage programs have connected thousands of US students to the Global South.

Youth Diplomacy Association · Türkiye

Genç Diplomasi Derneği

The Youth Diplomacy Association brings together high school and university students interested in the field of diplomacy and international relations. It is a pioneering youth platform that encourages them to think, discuss, produce and represent.