Have you ever dreamed of delivering an inspiring keynote speech? This is your moment!
We are searching for passionate and dynamic keynote speakers to take the stage at the YES 2025 and ignite change. If you're a young leader working on sustainability—whether through a project, campaign, or initiative related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—we want to hear your story!
Step into the spotlight as a Guest Speaker and share your insights, challenges, and learnings with an international audience of changemakers. Whether you prefer a keynote speech or an interactive panel discussion, this is your chance to leave a lasting impact at the biggest international youth event hosted by Youth for Understanding.
The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) is the biggest annual international event hosted by Youth for Understanding. Since 1987, this seminar brings together young, enthusiastic future changemakers from more than 40 countries. In 2025, with 350+ exchange students and 100 volunteers, this three-day event in Germany invites participants to educational workshops exploring sustainability through creative means. The event culminates in a Future Expo, where participants get to present their final works and solutions for tackling sustainability-related challenges. As an educational event, the YES promotes the values of active citizenship, sustainability and international collaboration.
What is the YES?
An important part of the YES is the Plenary Sessions, where all participants come together to connect the dots throughout their learning experience. These sessions are also where inspiring Guest Speakers take the stage and motivate the participants through real-life examples and experiences. A Guest Speaker offers valuable insights and inspiration through engaging storytelling. At the YES, we use non-formal education (NFE) methods in all learning. It is important that Guest Speakers are aware of NFE methods and consider the interactivity of their keynote speech – we hope to see you truly connecting with the audience!
What is the role of a Guest Speaker?
Do you have a passion for sustainable development and a spark for public speaking? Are you enthusiastic about empowering other young people to take on the opportunity and responsibility of being a change-maker? Do you have experience in working with sustainability related projects and SDGs? If your answer is yes, you are in the right place! Whether your experiences are in policymaking, construction, academics, art, climate, cultural activities, activism, or elsewhere – we want to hear from you and get inspired by you!
Are you the Guest Speaker we are looking for?
Due to funding reasons, Guest Speakers must be residents of the EU. In addition, you must be available between the 25th and 26th June 2025 in Berlin (the exact dates and times will be agreed upon with the YES Hosts). You must have experience on a project, campaign, or initiative related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Experience in public speaking and skills in delivering engaging stories are crucial for this role.
What are the requirements for a Guest Speaker?
The YES takes place at Werbellinsee, Brandenburg, Germany 23.6. – 27.6. 2025 All travel, accommodation and food costs of Guest Speakers are covered for the duration of their participation. The preparation of the keynotes and the panel discussion is facilitated by the YES Hosts, who will be your contact persons throughout the preparatory phase up until the YES.
How does this work logistically?
If you are ready to rock the YES stage, send in your free-form application per email to the YES Hosts Sanni Granqvist and Sebastian Lindt at hosts@yfu-yes.org, with the subject [YES 2025 Guest Speaker Application]. All applications must be sent by end of day 31.3.2025. We expect your application to share key details on your engagement in SDG-related initiatives and your experiences in public speaking. If you have any questions about the application, please don’t hesitate to contact the hosts at hosts@yfu-yes.org.