Be an Online Panelist

Panelist Application

Click here to apply online

Application Deadline: 

January 27, 2021 for completed International Forum applications or until all International Forum panelist positions filled. 

California High School and College panelist applications are closed.

Peace, Kindness and Cooperation

The California Youth Leadership Summit is hosted by the Sister Cities International Southern California Chapter. The California Youth Leadership Summit is being organized by Sister Cities International Southern and Northern California Chapters, along with KIF USA. 

This online event will be largely led by youth and young professionals for youth and young professionals. All of the panel topics and questions were selected by youth and young professionals. 

Panelists will include:

• California high school students
• California college/university students
• California young professionals 
• College/university students from countries where California’s 356 sister cities around the world are located.

Panels

• world peace and cooperation
• climate change and sustainability
• racial and gender equity
• coping with the pandemic

• 2 panels made up of 5 California high school students each (30 minutes each) Total high school panelists: 10
• 2 panels made up of 5 California college/university students (30 minutes each) Total college panelists: 10
• 1 International Forum made up of international college students (40 minutes) Total international college panelists: 8

Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 Schedule:

2:00 pm – 2:05 pm     Opening Presentation

2:05 pm – 2:35 pm     High School Panel: World Peace and Cooperation

2:35 pm – 3:05 pm     High School Panel: Coping with the Pandemic

3:05 pm – 3:10 pm     Presentation

3:10 pm – 3:40 pm     College Panel: Climate Change & Sustainability

3:40 pm – 4:10 pm     College Panel: Racial & Gender Equity

4:10 pm – 4:15 pm     Presentation

4:15 pm – 4:55 pm     International Forum: 8-member forum of college students from countries where California’s 356 sister cities around the world are located. Topics: 

• World Peace & Cooperation
• Coping with the Pandemic
• Climate Change & Sustainability
• Racial & Gender Equity

4:55 pm – 5:00 pm     Closing presentation

Panelist Requirements

To apply, panelists will be required to:

• Complete an online application form
• Record and upload a 1 to 2 minute video:
  • introducing yourself
  • explaining why you are interested in being a panelist
  • explaining which California Leadership Summit panel topic you are most interested in and why (check the schedule above for topics related to your age-group)
  • your plans/hopes for the future
• Complete a publicity release form (if you are under 18, this form must be completed and signed by your parent/legal guardian)
• If you are selected:
  • submit 2 references from a school teacher or an employer
  • be prepared to commit approximately 10 hours prior to the event for event preparation

Panelist Application

Click here to apply online 

Application Deadline:

About Sister Cities International

Sister Cities International was founded in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower for the purpose of bringing about peace throughout the world through citizen diplomacy. Today, this network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in 500 member communities with over 1,800 sister city partnerships in 138 countries on six continents. California has more sister city organizations than any other state in the U.S.: 82 California cities have 356 partnerships with cities overseas in over 50 countries.