ATLANTIC YOUTH FORUM

Posted by Claire Lloyd Vine 
 
The seventh Atlantic Youth Forum, established successfully in 2003, aims to provide an opportunity for young Americans, Canadians and Europeans in the 18-24 age group. Participants will gain insights into each other's concerns and perceptions on key challenges facing their countries and the international community, and make lasting contacts. The programme will cover a range of political, security, cultural, economic and social issues of central interest to the US, Canada and European countries.

Location: Wilton Park in the U.K. at Wiston House, built from 1573 during the reign of Elizabeth 1.

Wilton Park conferences provide an excellent environment for leading opinion formers to discuss the best ways to deal with key challenges.

The forum will cover the key political, security and economic issues confronting the world. Global concerns such as the environment and terrorism are also addressed, as well as issues such as social reforms and the impact of the information revolution.

Conferences are held over several days to allow plenty of time for informed discussion and for networking. Informality is the keynote. Discussions are off-the-record to encourage frankness. 

The venue, a modernised sixteenth century English country house in beautiful surroundings in the middle of the English countryside, is an ideal place to break down barriers.

Conferences are kept deliberately small, with 50-70 people present for round-the-table discussions in which everyone is encouraged to join in. Participants come from a wide range of nationalities and professions. Most are in a position to make a direct impact on policy; on average over half are from government. The others are mostly from NGOs, business, universities, Parliaments and the media. About 75% come from outside the UK.

Wilton Park gets high ratings from participants for the quality of its events.

Reports covering the main themes and agreed action points are produced on each event and are widely circulated. 
 
Wilton Park's long tradition of academic independence is guaranteed by an Advisory Council, and an International Council of Ambassadors and High Commissioners from OECD countries in London.